Beginning C

WELCOME TO Beginning C, Third Edition. With this book you can become a competent C programmer. In many ways, Cis an ideal language with which to learn program- ming. Cis a very compact language, so there isn't a lot of syntax to learn before you can write real applications. In spite of its conciseness and ease, it's also an extremely powerful language that's still widely used by professionals. The power of C is such that it's used for programming at all levels, from device drivers and operating system com- ponents to large-scale applications. C compilers are available for virtually every kind of computer, so when you've learned C, you'll be equipped to program in just about any context. Finally, knowledge of Cis also an excellent base from which you can build an understanding of the object-oriented C++. My objective in this book is to minimize what I think are the three main hurdles the aspiring programmer must face: coming to grips with the jargon that pervades every programming language, understanding how to use the language elements (as opposed to merely knowing what they are), and appreciating how the language is applied in a practical context. Jargon is an invaluable and virtually indispensable means of communication for the expert professional as well as the competent amateur, so it can't be avoided.