C textbooks

[Rikithasta]

What do you think is the best book to learn a C programming from for a absolute beginner.

[JamesBrown]

What do you think is the best book to learn a C programming from for a absolute beginner.

Practical C Programming
By Steve Oualine
I admit I havent used this book but I used the SQL and Java books in this series and thought they were awesome.

http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Programming-3rd-Steve-Oualline/dp/1565923065/sr=8-3/qid=1163080383/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/002-3713306-4225621?ie=UTF8&s=books

[Mike Shaul]

I love The C Programing Language (http://www.amazon.com/C-Programming-Language-2nd/dp/0131103628/sr=8-1/qid=1163082459/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6680361-3483266?ie=UTF8&s=books), it is short, concise and has just enough examples to be a great reference when programing in C. However, it does not go into programing design or algorithms, mostly syntax and basic concepts.

[kaszeta]

What do you think is the best book to learn a C programming from for a absolute beginner.

You're actually asking two questions, what's a good book to learn programming, and what's a good way to learn the C language.

I agree with Mike Shaul in that there's really nothing better for the C language than Kernighan and Ritchie, but he's right, it doesn't discuss actually programming much. Practical C Programming is pretty good as well, but doesn't really do much discussion on programming.

I usually recommend Mastering Algorithms in C (http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Algorithms-C-Kyle-Loudon/dp/1565924533/ref=pd_sim_b_1/104-3597390-9947142) as a followon to either of these books that actually does a good job discussing algorithms.

[ChuckDickerson]

I love The C Programing Language (http://www.amazon.com/C-Programming-Language-2nd/dp/0131103628/sr=8-1/qid=1163082459/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6680361-3483266?ie=UTF8&s=books), it is short, concise and has just enough examples to be a great reference when programing in C. However, it does not go into programing design or algorithms, mostly syntax and basic concepts.

I second the above comments. K&R wrote the original C language so they know what they are talking about. If you want to learn to program in C this really is THE book. If you need to know how to program you might want to look somewhere else first.

[theycallhimtom]

Around our lab the The C Programming Language by K&R is considered the "bible". It is a very good book to have.

[shawger]

Around our lab the The C Programming Language by K&R is considered the "bible". It is a very good book to have.

Another recommendation for this book. The reading is a bit heavy, but it will teach you everything you need to know.

[TheOtherGuy]

I liked the K&R book as well, it is a lot shorter than most of the other C books I have (and I have a lot of C books) and more concise. C for Dummies is a good one, though it is a long read (2 volumes because it was so long)