C Programming: 6 Books in 1

by Dan Gookin

C All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies covers everything you need to begin writing C programs. It explains the entire development cycle- designing and developing the program, writing source code, compiling the code, linking the code to create the executable program, debugging, and deployment. It explains all the intricacies of writing the code- the basic and not-so-basic building blocks that make up the source code. It even gets into more advanced programming techniques that can take your programming skills to the next level. Some of the more advanced topics include programming for the Linux or Unix console, Windows programming, graphics programming, games programming, Internet and network programming, and hardware programming projects.

Genres: Programming, Reference, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published September 3, 2004

Reviews

[David Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the final chapter, I just have so much gratitude for Dan Gookin, he is an absolute legend! This is hands-down the best, most approachable, funny and most thorough book on programming I have ever read. He uses everyday language and good humour to explain the concepts very well and provides examples to type in and test; then assigns exercises to modify the examples to achieve further goals.

I initially tried learning C from the recommended "Bible of C programming", that is The C Programming Language by Kernighan and Ritchie. But I had to give up. It's thorough and concise but the learning curve is steep – I realised I needed someone to teach me slow!

Dan Gookin's other book, C for Dummies, I would not recommend for the serious student of C since it only tells half the story. It also has far too many stupid jokes and I'm not kidding, they made the book a chore to get through. After labouring to the end, I tentatively went on to purchase this Reference Guide which promised more detail. I was not disappointed, it's a magnum opus and has less than half the amount of jokes.

By the way, this book covers all of C for Dummies but in greater detail, plus much more after that, so I recommend going straight to this book to learn C thoroughly.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great. It would be very much harder to read if the writer wasn't funny and skilled.

[Mr. Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this guy.

[Ben Kellermann]

Covers everything users need to get up to speed on C programming, including advanced topics to take their programming skill to the next level
Walks C programmers through the entire development cycle of a C program-designing and developing the program, writing source code, compiling the code, linking the code to create the executable programs, debugging, and deployment
Provides thorough coverage of keywords, program flow, conditional statements, constants and variables, numeric values, arrays, strings, functions, pointers, debugging, prototyping, and much more
Addresses some advanced programming topics such as graphics and game programming as well as Windows and Linux programming
Includes dozens of sample programs that readers can adapt and modify for their own uses
Written by the author of the first-ever For Dummies book-a man known for his ability to take complex material and present it in a way that makes it simple and fun