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The C/Unix Programmer's Guide
The C/Unix Programmer's Guide is a comprehensive guide for beginning to intermediate C/C++ programming under UNIX, Linux, Macintosh OS X, and similar systems. Standard C is covered in enough detail to make this book a useful reference for virtually any platform. A brief but practical overview of C++ is also provided. Unlike like most C language texts, however, it also clearly explains the process of program development on Unix-like platforms. Everything from basic UNIX commands and number systems, through introductory graphics and network programming, is explained in clear, concise English. The overall aim of this book is to give you a comprehensive understanding of C/Unix programming, which will prepare you to make use of the extensive online documentation that comes with every Unix-like platform. After reading this book, the online documentation should provide most of the knowledge you need to advance further. If you're a typical Unix/Linux/OS X programmer, this may be only book you'll ever need. Great care was taken to avoid writing dated material, so although the book is old and some of the examples are dated, most of the material is still applicable today.
651 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 1998
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February 8, 2022
Amazon review
What?
I have seen good C programming tutorials, and this is not one. It isn't very descriptive. It will introduce you to new library functions and not give a good explanation on it, and then it rarely describes the code snipets. The C Primer Plus by SAMS is far superior to this for learning C. Having said that, this book is decent in its coverage for UNIX system calls with C, in that it is easier for a beginner to understand the code snipets in this book as compared to other books I have seen. Other books I have seen require you to at least already be an intermediate C programmer, and use examples that require you to study the complex code snipets before you can begin to understand what is being accomplished with the system calls.
The author/publisher hasn't updated this book with regard to hardware, and it talks about 286's, 386's, 486's and Pentium processors. It considers 16 bit and 32 bit processing, and it puts too much emphasis on 16 bit, when every compiler I have seen for C is 32 bit. It even gives suggestions based on 16 bit technology. It references DOS, and if anyone is still running DOS, they shouldn't be reading a book about programming. They should be reading about survival skills and moving to Montana and building a bomb shelter.
So, to learn C, this isn't a good book. If you are dealing with the C/UNIX environment and are a beginner, the end of this book is decent for understanding system calls, as long as you already understand C from some better, more up to date source.
[six out of ten rating]
D. Barker
What?
I have seen good C programming tutorials, and this is not one. It isn't very descriptive. It will introduce you to new library functions and not give a good explanation on it, and then it rarely describes the code snipets. The C Primer Plus by SAMS is far superior to this for learning C. Having said that, this book is decent in its coverage for UNIX system calls with C, in that it is easier for a beginner to understand the code snipets in this book as compared to other books I have seen. Other books I have seen require you to at least already be an intermediate C programmer, and use examples that require you to study the complex code snipets before you can begin to understand what is being accomplished with the system calls.
The author/publisher hasn't updated this book with regard to hardware, and it talks about 286's, 386's, 486's and Pentium processors. It considers 16 bit and 32 bit processing, and it puts too much emphasis on 16 bit, when every compiler I have seen for C is 32 bit. It even gives suggestions based on 16 bit technology. It references DOS, and if anyone is still running DOS, they shouldn't be reading a book about programming. They should be reading about survival skills and moving to Montana and building a bomb shelter.
So, to learn C, this isn't a good book. If you are dealing with the C/UNIX environment and are a beginner, the end of this book is decent for understanding system calls, as long as you already understand C from some better, more up to date source.
[six out of ten rating]
D. Barker
Displaying 1 of 1 review