The C companion
by Allen I. Holub · first published 1987
100% recommend
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
Fluent C
Christopher Preschern
Recommended by 3 · mentioned by 33 recommend · 3 mention3 recommend · 33 recommend
2015–2022Head first C
David Griffiths
Recommended by 5 · mentioned by 65 recommend · 6 mention5 recommend · 65 recommend
2013–2025Understanding and Using C Pointers
Richard M Reese
Recommended by 12 · mentioned by 1712 recommend · 17 mention12 recommend · 1712 recommend
2015–2025Modern C
Jens Gustedt
Recommended by 37 · mentioned by 4537 recommend · 45 mention37 recommend · 4537 recommend
2009–2026Computer systems
Randal Bryant, Randal E. Bryant, David R. O'Hallaron
Recommended by 67 · mentioned by 8367 recommend · 83 mention67 recommend · 8367 recommend
2010–2024Advanced UNIX programming
Marc J. Rochkind
Recommended by 12 · mentioned by 1512 recommend · 15 mention12 recommend · 1512 recommend
2011–2026Compiler design in C
Allen I. Holub
Recommended by 11 · mentioned by 1811 recommend · 18 mention11 recommend · 1811 recommend
2009–2025C programming
K. N. King
Recommended by 26 · mentioned by 3026 recommend · 30 mention26 recommend · 3026 recommend
Neither are recent, but the following are both good: "Obfuscated C and Other Mysteries" by Don Libes "C Companion" by Allen Holub Don Libes' book actually uses Obfuscated C code entries as interesting instructional examples and Holub's book is a nice intermediate book between K&R and "Expert C Programming". I never…
on “Obfuscated C Code Contest 2006. Please explain sykes2.c” ↗His book the C Companion [1] Really helped me get a deep understanding of C. Sadly, I haven't touched C for such a long that I've forgotten most of it. I highly recommended it for anyone who has a basic knowledge of C and wants…
on “Compiler Design in C” ↗…With that in mind the following are recommended (some are old books which you can buy used and cheap wherever possible); * Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective by Bryant and O'Hallaron. * The C Companion by Allen Holub. A gem of an oldie. * ELF: From the Programmer's Perspective; a paper by Hongjiu Lu. * UNIX Network Programming by Richard Stevens. Initially, get the old 1st edition since it contains…
on “Ask HN: How to learn proper systems programming?” ↗I would like to add two more to your recommendations; 1) An old classic to understand low-level C "System" interface: The C Companion by Allen Holub. 2) Followup with the more modern Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective by Randal Bryant and David O'Hallaron.
on “Ask HN: Best book to learn C in 2022?” ↗…all) architectures (the Von Neumann paradigm), like linear memory, a simple function calling convention, close mapping to Assembly operations etc. This is beautifully illustrated in the old classic The C Companion by Allen Holub which overviews a simple abstract demo architecture and code generated for it. This is a small book (in the vein of K&R C) but contains enough illuminating info. for a programmer.
on “C for Rust programmers” ↗…based on x86-64. You might also want to get the 1st ed. which is based on 32-bit x86. These books cover the HW/SW interface and thus includes almost all the topics under "Systems Programming". - The C Companion by Allen Holub. - Inside the C++ object model by Stan Lippman. Tools/Toolchain: Knowledge of the GCC toolchain is a must. - The Definitive guide to GCC by Hagen - ELF: A Programmer's perspective;…
on “Ask HN: What should a systems/low-level software engineer know?” ↗I suggest The C Companion by Allen Holub for getting an idea of "behind the scenes". For a more modern look, i suggest Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective by Bryant and O'Halloran Of course, you would need to pick and…
on “Tell HN: C Experts Panel – Ask us anything about C” ↗