C how to program
by Harvey M. Deitel, Paul J. Deitel, Abbey Deitel · first published 1992
62% recommend31% neutral8% critical
Why HN recommends it
Gives a readable, exercise-heavy path into C and structured programming, with a chapter-a-night pace that works for beginners and those who want to practice by doing the problems.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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…C++ in a "For Rookies" way "in 21 days". If you want to be a C++ programmer, go find a good introductory C book which properly covers the aspects of memory management and pointers (like the Deitel's "C How to Program"). Then, gradually start C++ with something like Shildt, or again the Deitels. Then, maybe, one day you will want to look at the Stroustrup's book. Otherwise, learn C# or Java or whatever quacks like…
on “The Rook's Guide to C++” ↗I suggest Deitel's C++: How to Program as a good introduction to the language. If you read a chapter a night and do several of the exercises, you could get through the book in under a month. Personally, I think C++ is a great language. Many…
on “Ask YC: C++” ↗Personally, I found the best way was on a Linux system with two books: the Deitels' C: How to program which is a book about programming that happens to use C, and Matthew & Stone's Beginning Linux Programming which is a terrible book about programming but a very good book about programming in the linux…
on “Ask HN: Best way to learn C” ↗…about about a book called The Scientist's and Engineer's guide to digital Signal Processing which I think is the best-written technical book I've ever encountered. The other one that springs to mind is C: How to Program by Deitel and Deitel. They've done multiple programming cooks but that's the only one I've owned.
on “An Introduction to the Lambda Calculus (2015)” ↗You don't need a project to tackle C. Start with "The C Programming Language" and do the exercises or "C How To Program" by Deitel & Deitel which also has plenty of exercises.
on “Ask HN: What project did you tackle to learn C?” ↗Agreed. I was scared of C for a long time, but it's actually a beautiful language. Deitel & Deitel's 'C; How to program' is a fine tutorial in both C and structured programming. YMMV.
on “Ask HN: Learning C” ↗…offline and looking at a physical book improves my focus. I've read many C++ books over the years, but the one that finally made everything click, at least for me, when I was first learning C++, was "C++ How to Program" by Deitel and Deitel. The copy I have is 20 years old (yes, I'm old :) ) but I suspect the newer editions (http://www.amazon.com/C-How-Program-8th-Edition/dp/013266236...) have similar approachability.…
on “Ask HN: What is the fastest way to learn C++? I have a exam in 10 days.” ↗…majored in Computer Science at UNC-W (but dropped out before graduating) and that is where I was exposed to the Deitel & Deitel books, and after that I spent a lot of time reading and doing exercises in C:How to Program, C++:How to Program, and Java:How to Program by Deitel & Deitel. There was more formal schooling that came after that era, but I look at the bulk of my programming education as being all that reading…
on “Ask HN: HN people who write meaningful software, how did you learn to program?” ↗…{0,1,2}. The first two are best read together and maybe sprinkle in a bit of [2]. If you are on Linux or Mac then the last one obviously has to be substituted for something else. [0] https://deitel.com/c-how-to-program-8-e/ [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code:_The_Hidden_Language_of_C... [2] http://www.charlespetzold.com/pw5/
on “Fantastic Learning Resources” ↗Effective Engineer by Edmound Lau Game Programming Patterns by Robert Nystrom Free book is available here http://www.gameprogrammingpatterns.com/ C++ How to Program Dietiel and Dietiel Algorithms by CLRS
on “Ask HN: What's an (article|book|vid) that changed the way you view programming?” ↗…number of the X: How To Program[1] books by Deitel and Deitel. I might also mention Rapid Development and Code Complete by Steve McConnell. And The Pragmatic Programmer had some influence. [1]: including "C: How to Program", "C++: How to Program" and "Java: How to Program".
on “Ask HN: What books have most influenced your coding style?” ↗Agreed. My first job they gave me a copy of Deitel & Deitel's "C How to program" along with the test. You actually lost points if you didn't open it!
on “Ask HN: coding challenges as part of interviews: yes or no?” ↗…programming' language (which Java later usurped). This means there are tons of very badly written and confusing resources that do more harm trying to teach C++ than actual good. Stuff like Deitel's C++ How To Program, etc. For C++ in particular I can recommend: Thinking in C++ (http://mindview.net/Books/TICPP/ThinkingInCPP2e.html) Although it's getting a little old, I think this is a great resource for someone just…
on “Ask HN: How do I learn C and C++ when I love high-level languages?” ↗Should you hire me? I'll give you 10 facts about myself. Decide for yourself: 1. As a kid I taught myself to program using Borland Turbo C++ for DOS and Deitel's C How to Program book 2. I've been on the internet since the days of Trumpet Winsock and NCSA Mosaic. I used HotDog to create my first website in 1997 (and yes, it had an under construction gif and a download Netscape…
on “Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (July 2016)” ↗There was an early edition of C++: How To Program by Deitel & Deitel that had a yellow cover[1]. And those books were notoriously long, on the order of 800+ pages quite often, with lots and lots of exercises. So maybe that? [1]: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/fUwAAOSwOA5fohoY/s-l400.jpg
on “Ask HN: Which C++ book was this?” ↗