Beginning C

Learn how to program using C, beginning from first principles and progressing through step-by-step examples. This seventh edition is fully updated to reflect new features of C23, and addresses deprecated functions and features that are no longer supported.

You’ll discover that C is a foundation language that every programmer ought to know. Beginning C is written by renowned author Ivor Horton and expert programmer German Gonzalez-Morris. This book increases your programming expertise by guiding you through the development of fully working C applications that use what you’ve learned in a practical context. Examples of how to use deprecated functions are also provided, along with new examples for replacing them when a simple solution is possible.

By the end of the book you’ll be confident in your skills with all facets of the widely-used and powerful C language and be able to strike out on your own by trying the exercises included at the end of each chapter. All you need are this book and any of the widely available C compilers, and you’ll soon be writing real C programs.

What You Will Learn

• Discover the C programming language
• Program using C starting with first steps, then making decisions
• Use loops, arrays, strings, text, pointers, functions, I/O, and more
• Code applications with strings and text
• Structure your programs efficiently
• Work with data, files, facilities, and more

Who This Book Is For

Those new to C programming who may or may not have some prior programming experience.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Programming in C

Chapter 2: First Steps in Programming

Chapter 3: Making Decisions

Chapter 4: Loops

Chapter 5: Arrays

Chapter 6: Applications with Strings and Text

Chapter 7: Pointers

Chapter 8: Structuring Your Programs

Chapter 9: More on Functions

Chapter 10: Essential Input and Output

Chapter 11: Structuring Data

Chapter 12: Working with Files

Chapter 13: The Preprocessor and Debugging

Chapter 14: Advanced and Specialized Topics

Appendix A: Computer Arithmetic

Appendix B: ASCII Character Code Definitions

Appendix C: Reserved Words in C

Appendix D: Input and Output Format Specifications

Appendix E: Standard Library Header Files

About the Authors

German Gonzalez-Morris is a software architect/engineer working with C/C++, Java, and different application containers, in particular, with WebLogic Server. He has developed different applications including JEE/Spring/Python. His areas of expertise also include OOP, design patterns, Spring Core/MVC, and microservices.

Ivor Horton is self-employed in consultancy and writes programming tutorials. He worked for IBM for many years and holds a bachelor’s degree, with honors, in mathematics. Horton’s experience at IBM includes programming in most languages (such as assembler and high-level languages on a variety of machines), real-time programming, and designing and implementing real-time closed-loop industrial control systems. He has extensive experience teaching programming to engineers and scientists (Fortran, PL/1, APL, etc.). Horton is an expert in mechanical, process, and electronic CAD systems; mechanical CAM systems; and DNC/CNC systems.