C For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Author - Dan Gookin ... [Goo?] [Posters]

This Paperback Book item from For Dummies was reviewed on 25-Oct-2008.

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1) Paperback Book C For Dummies, 2nd Edition by For Dummies. The first rule of writing is to know your audience. If you´re reading about this product then we can assume two things: (a) you want / need to know C and (b) you need a gentle introduction. To be sure, this book is not an exhaustive resource on all things "C". It´s subtitle should probably be "C for Kindergarteners", because it is fun (in a corny way) and easily digestible.

I want to learn C because Pixar´s Renderman Shading Language is "C-like", and though I could read it, I didn´t completely understand it. As I worked though the exercises of this book, I had many "so that´s what that means" moments. Overall, a pretty good introduction; I am 3/4 through the text.

The good: the code snippets are short, so you can observe, study and understand each function or command in isolation with instant gratification syndrome in full effect. A few of the exercises graph / diagram the flow of logic line by line, which is pretty insightful if you are not used to thinking this way.

The bad: the jokes are lame and frequent, in keeping with the decidedly "un-whitepaper-like" tone that the author has chosen to follow. Also the code snippets are short, so even though you have a sense of accomplishment after successfully compiling, running and debugging the programs, you´re kinda hungry for something more ambitious.

I would recommend this book to the completely new and uninitiated user who wants to advance their understanding from totally clueless to amateur / novice level. At that time, they can seek out more comprehensive books and not feel lost.¤

2) Paperback Book C For Dummies, 2nd Edition by For Dummies. The idea behind the Dummies books - put the reader at ease - is taken to extremes here. The style is not only very distracting, but a waste of time. This book is almost 400 pages long, but if you took out the dumb jokes and other irrelevant material, you could condense it down to about 50 pages. For a good introduction to C programming, and an excellent example of concise technical writing, spend fifteen bucks to download Coronado´s C tutorial:

[...]

I have a total of three introductory books on C programming and none of them is as useful as the Coronado tutorial.¤

3) Paperback Book C For Dummies, 2nd Edition by For Dummies. C for Dummies, as with all of the Dummies offerings, is premised on the idea that you have to be fed a laugh on every line in order to learn anything. The fact is a little humor goes a long way and this one goes way too far. This is not to say that the information offered is either bad or lacking but it is hidden in a jungle of low-grade knee-slappers that do nothing to advance the cause. Worse, a first book on a subject like this tends to become the preferred reference source and this is so cluttered with cutesy corn that it will fail to serve the reader.

If you really need corn with your lessons, try Kellogs. If you are serious about the subject and want to get the straight skinny, go buy a K&R.¤

4) Paperback Book C For Dummies, 2nd Edition by For Dummies. This book is good for people who want to learn C, but if your running a Windows Vista (specifically 32 bit) your going to have some problems in setting up the stuff. You might have to run the compiler installations a bit differently. If anyone goes so insane as I did in trying to get past the first chapter on a Vista pc/laptop, this site helped me get through some pc issues: "http://phy225.dept.shef.ac.uk/mediawiki/index.php/Running_devcpp_under_Vista " Also helpful if you want to save the trouble of admitting yourself to a mental institute. Regardless, buy the book if you want a good intro to C programming. As far as the first program, somewhat of a pain as he tries to make the popular "Hello World" program into something unique.¤

5) Paperback Book C For Dummies, 2nd Edition by For Dummies. This is the best introductory book on C. If you are not a beginner C programmer do not buy this book, buy it´s companion C All-In One Desktop Reference For Dummies. If you want to know C,C++,Java,Perl or Python read this book and it´s companion and you will know C and be familar with how everything in those other languages work. Dan Gookin is one of the greatest authors of his day he breaks everything down to make you understand it easier. This book is the funniest computer book I´ve ever read, it is a good break from watching "Ice Melt" with other hard to understand programming books.¤

6) Paperback Book C For Dummies, 2nd Edition by For Dummies. while (dead_horse)

beat ():

If you’re like most people, the above seems like nonsense. Actually, it’s computer sense—C programming. After digesting C For Dummies, 2^nd Edition, you’ll understand it. C programs are fast, concise and versatile. They let you boss your computer around for a change. So turn on your computer, get a free compiler and editor (the book tells you where), pull up a chair, and get going. You won’t have to go far (page 13) to find your first program example. You’ll do short, totally manageable, hands-on exercises to help you make sense of:

• All 32 keywords in the C language (that’s right—just 32 words)
• The functions—several dozen of them
• Terms like printf(), scanf(), gets (), and puts ()
• String variables, numeric variables, and constants
• Looping and implementation
• Floating-point values

In case those terms are almost as intimidating as the idea of programming, be reassured that C For Dummies was written by Dan Gookin, bestselling author of DOS For Dummies, the book that started the whole library. So instead of using expletives and getting headaches, you’ll be using newly acquired skills and getting occasional chuckles as you discover how to:

• Design and develop programs
• Add comments (like post-it-notes to yourself) as you go
• Link code to create executable programs
• Debug and deploy your programs
• Use lint, a common tool to examine and optimize your code

A helpful, tear-out cheat sheet is a quick reference for comparison symbols, conversion characters, mathematical doodads, C numeric data types, and more. C For Dummies takes the mystery out of programming and gets you into it quickly and painlessly.¤

Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 22-Nov-2008, 07645706849780764570681, 280-020-000-230-840-920-8

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