13 BEST C Programming Books for Beginners (2023 Update)
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C is a general-purpose programming language that is extremely popular, simple, and flexible. It is machine-independent, structured programming language which is used extensively in various applications.
Are you interested in learning the C Language and looking for some excellent book that will help you skyrocket your C programming expertise? Then you have come to the right place. Here is a curated list of the best books to learn C programming for beginners. These books are highly recommended by C programming experts and are helpful for students to grasp the C programming. These resources will guide you to build your career in this promising field and make you a better C developer. Read more…
BEST C Programming Books for Beginners and Expert
1) c programming absolute beginner’s guide.
Publisher: Que Publishing; 3rd edition
Language: English
Print length: 354 pages
Screen Reader: Supported
C Programming Absolute Beginner’s Guide is a book written by Greg Perry and Dean Miller. This book teaches some basic concept of C language with clear and easy steps. The book explains the method to organize programs and work with variables, operators, I/O, pointers, functions, etc.
This C book gave simple instructions which help you to create useful, reliable C code, from games to mobile apps.
2) C Programming Language
Publisher: Pearson; 2nd edition
Print length: 279 pages
The C Programming Language (2nd Edition) written by Brain W. Kernighan is ideal for every serious programmer’s digital library. You should have a background on Data Structure to easily follow most of the examples.
To read this C programming book, you need to have some familiarity with basic programming concepts like variables, assignment statements, loops, and functions.
The book includes detailed information about the C language reference manual. It also helps you in syntax notation, declarations, scope rules, etc.
3) C: The Complete Reference
Publisher: McGraw Hill Education; 4th edition
Print length: 832 pages
The Complete Reference 4th Edition is Herbert Schildt is an ideal C++ reference. It teaches C as a subset of C++. This book also helps you to illustrates the C++ language with good examples through. It is highly recommended for a reference book of C.
Not like other books which teachers only the basics of c++ this book deep drive and tells you new and about the stuff you already know. It also gives explanations on why things work they do in c++.
4) Head First C: A Brain-Friendly Guide
Author Name: David Griffiths
Publisher: Shroff
Latest Edition: 1st edition
No of Pages: 652 pages
Head First C written by Griffiths David provides you in-depth knowledge about the C language. With a unique method that goes beyond syntax and how-to manuals, this guide not only teaches you the language but also helps you to understand how to be a great programmer.
The book teaches you many fundamental areas of C language like language basics, pointers and pointer arithmetic, and dynamic memory management. This book also features in-depth projects intended to stretch your abilities, test your skills.
5) C Programming in easy steps, 5th Edition:
Author Name: Mike McGrath
Publisher: In Easy Steps Limited
Latest Edition: 5th edition
No of Pages: 197 pages
C Programming in easy steps 5th edition book offers an easy-to-follow style that appeals everyone. It is especially suited for someone who wants to begin programming in C. It is also a preferred choice for those who is studying C programming at school or universities.
It is an ideal book for those who want to build a career in computing and want to know further fundamental understanding of procedural programming. This book starts explaining how you can download and install a free C compiler to create your first executable programs by examples given in this book.
6) Expert C Programming: Deep Secrets
Author Name: Peter van der Linden
Publisher: Pearson
No of Pages: 837 pages
Expert C programming is a book written by Peter Van Der Linden is a second book which offers many advanced tips and tricks. This book helps C programmer to scan the sections that are relevant to their immediate needs.
The book explains various coding techniques which is used by the best C programmers. It gave an introduction on to C in the simplest language so that a programmer can understand it without in-depth research. It is also an ideal programming book for anyone who wants to learn more about the implementation, practical use of C.
7) The C Programming Language 2nd Edition
Author Name: Brian W. Kernighan
Publisher: Pearson Education India
Latest Edition: 2nd edition
No of Pages: 288 pages
This book is written by Kernighan for Advanced C programmer. The person should have some background on Data Structure in order to follow most of the examples easily. The book was also structured to reuse function from previous chapters like getting a line, strcmp, alloc, etc.
However, most of these functions are exactly same in C’s standard library. If you read the content of this book deeply, you will learn the crucial area of C that will save you from trouble. Like debugging your code like post fix increments and side effects and the precedence of statement evaluation.
8) C Programming: A Modern Approach
Author Name: K N King
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
No of Pages: 864 pages
The book is targeting people with no prior programming experience. It is quite comprehensive in its treatment of the majority of C programming concepts. It is also covers the information needed by a C programmer in using the standard C library.
Author’s easy language helps all type of readers to readers to understand from beginners to more advanced students. It includes a significant number of exercises and longer programming projects. It also includes extensive revisions and updates.
9) Computer Fundamentals and Programming in C
Author Name: Reema Thareja
Publisher: Oxford University Press
No of Pages: 544 pages
This is a second edition of computer fundamentals and programming book written by Reema Thareja. It is a specially designed textbook for students of engineering, computer science, and computer applications.
This C Language book is divided into two parts. Part I, Computer Fundamentals. It starts with an introduction to computers and offers a detailed account of various topics like input and output devices, primary and secondary memory devices, number systems, etc. This C book also includes various case studies, key terms, and chapter-end exercises.
10) Low-Level Programming: C, Assembly, and Program Execution
Author Name: Igor Zhirkov
Publisher: Apress
Latest Edition: 1st edition
No of Pages: 435 pages
This book explains Intel 64 architecture. The book also teaches the latest version of the C language and assembly language from scratch. It also covers the entire path from source code to program execution. It also includes ELF object files and static and dynamic linking which vast numbers of coding examples and exercises.
The book also includes many performance-gain techniques like SSE instructions and pre-fetching. You will also learn important Computer Science topics like models of computation and formal grammars.
11) C in a Nutshell: The Definitive Reference 2nd Edition
Author Name: Peter Prinz
Publisher: O′Reilly
No of Pages: 824 pages
C in a Nutshell: The Definitive Reference 2nd Edition written by Peter Prinz is a modern C reference book for experienced C programmers. The book helps you to learn how to build C programs with GNU and build executable programs from C source code. It also teaches how you can test and debug your programs with the help of GNU debugger.
In three-section book cover C language. The first section covers all the important language elements like character, statements, points, memory management. The second section helps you to learn about the C standard library, and the third section teaches about the basic c programming tools.
12) Hands-on Network Programming with C
Author Name: Lewis Van Winkle
Publisher: Packt Publishing Limited
No of Pages: 478 pages
Hands-On Network Programming in C book covers core concepts, such as hostname resolution with DNS, etc. In this book, you will learn fundamental network protocols, TCP , UDP, and all the essential techniques like client-server and peer-to-peer models. The concept is explained by giving easy to understand practical examples.
You’ll study HTTP from both the client and server perspective. At the end of this book, you’ll have experience of working with client-server applications and be able to implement new network programs in C.
13) Data Structures Using C
Publisher: Oxford;
No of Pages: 560 pages
Data Structures Using C was written by Reema Thareja. The book covers abstract concepts of data structures, and its implementation using C language.
The book begins with a complete overview of the concepts of C programming. After that, it focuses on different data structures and methods which help you analyze the complexity of different algorithms. It covers various data structures like arrays, strings, stacks, linked lists, queues, trees, heaps, and graphs.
📚 Which are the best C Programming books?
Following are some of the best C Programming books for beginners and advanced programmers
- C Programming Absolute Beginner’s Guide
- C Programming Language
- C: The Complete Reference
- Head First C: A Brain-Friendly Guide
- C Programming in easy steps, 5th Edition:
🏅 Which author’s book is best for C programming?
Books written by Greg Perry and Dean Miller, Brain W. Kernighan, Herbert Schildt, David Griffiths and Dawn Griffiths are best for beginners and expert to learn C Programming Language .
🚀 What should you know before learn C?
Nothing! Those best book for C Language are designed for absolute beginners
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10 Best C and C++ Books for Beginners & Advanced Programmers
Table of Contents
- 1. C Programming Absolute Beginner's Guide
- 2. The C Programming Language (2nd Edition)
3. Learn C the Hard Way
4. head first c, 5. c programming: a modern approach.
- 1. C++ Primer (5th Edition)
2. Effective Modern C++: 42 Specific Ways to Improve Your Use of C++11 and C++14
- 3. The C++ Programming Language (4th Edition)
4. Accelerated C++: Practical Programming by Example
5. programming: principles and practice using c++.
C and C++ are two of the most popular programming languages used around the world. While C is a core language, C++ is an extension of the C language. The possibilities are endless with these languages, which is why ventures of all shapes and sizes employ them due to their scalability and viability.
As the languages stay on top, the number of people learning it is increasing by the minute. If you wish to learn C and C++ , then starting it all with a book is a great idea. We have curated a list of the 5 best C books & 5 best C++ books recommended by the programming community. Irrespective of your programming proficiency, you find a book that suits your requirements.
5 Best C Programming Books (Recommended by the Programming Community)
1. c programming absolute beginner's guide.
The book has been curated by renowned authors and editors of various notable programming books over the years. Greg Perry has over 75 books to his name, all related to computers and programming. Meanwhile, Dean Miller has over 20 years of experience in publishing and has shaped bestselling books such as ‘Teach yourself in 21 days’ and the ‘Unleashed’ book series.
You can buy the book here.
2. The C Programming Language (2 nd Edition)
The book is a collaborative work of Kernighan and Ritchie, the latter being the creator of C and both considered to be pioneers in computer programming. This book acted as a specification of the language for many years after its release as it introduced several features of the language, and covers the following ANSI C standard. It clearly and briefly explains C concepts such as types, operators, expressions, control flow, and functions. While it covers the concepts, it merely explains their uses rather than what they are. Therefore, fundamental programming knowledge is necessary before you begin with this book. The second edition of the book released in 1988, where the authors stated they had improved the descriptions of critical concepts and features. The new edition also has new examples, while the old ones have been refined to augment the learning mechanism.
The book has carved a name for itself in the C programming world due to the code exposure it provides to its readers, not just the necessary code for small programs, the book includes real code, something which you might see in projects on Github. The reader will have to work through all the code one by one to understand C programming, all with little or no handholding. The book includes 52 brilliantly designed exercises created to help you master rigorous defensive programming techniques, a skill that will help you in any programming language you take up in the future.
Apart from programming concepts such as files, linkers, arrays, strings, functions, memory allocation, libraries, data structures, stacks, and queues, the book also discusses skills such as defensive coding, debugging, automated testing, illegal memory access and breaking and hacking one’s code. The book accompanies a DVD containing over 5 hours of video lectures and tutorials which complement the book perfectly.
The book discusses basic and advanced vital areas and concepts, including C language basics, pointers, dynamic memory management, multi-threading, and network programming. The book imitates the style and contents of a college-level course, making it a model textbook for students who wish to learn C programming .
The first edition of the book, published in 1996, has a comprehensive and detailed approach of the author made the book accessible to a broad range of readers, including novice programmers to advanced students. The book was adopted by many educational institutions around the world as their primary C programming text, making the first edition one of the leading C programming textbooks for over ten years. The second edition was released in 2008 and carefully preserved the book’s popular features while bringing it up to date with the new standards. It also adds many new exercises and projects, along with extensive revisions and updates to summarise the majority of C concepts in one textbook. It's one of the best c books for beginners.
5 Best C++ Programming Books (Recommended by the Programming Community)
1. c++ primer (5 th edition).
The fifth edition continues the legacy of the previous four editions of keeping the material up to date with the latest classifications. The book also updated to its newly released C++11 standard. The book introduces the C++ library from the beginning and brings out its standard functions and facilities to kick-start your journey to becoming a successful C++ programmer. The previous editions were filled with examples to help maintain a theory with a practice approach, and the new edition does the same. Many old examples have been updated, while at the same time, several new examples have been added to the book as well. Thousands around the globe prefer this book(and its previous editions). It considered a valuable resource for beginners as well as experienced programmers. The book is one of the best book for c++ programming.
With over 300 pages, the book discusses several topics catering to the latest versions of C++. Some of these topics include the pros and cons of braced initialization, smart pointer make functions, the difference between std:: atomic and volatile along with their use in C++ and the relationship among std:: move and std:: forward. Apart from discussing the language, the book also sheds light on the techniques which can be followed to write clear and correct code, and how the old programming practices require some revision for software development in current times.
3. The C++ Programming Language (4 th Edition)
The fourth edition of the books is updated to include C++11 and its features, standard library, and fundamental design techniques. Beginning with the basics of C++, the book moves on to the necessary facilities of C++, such as structures, statements, functions, unions, and enumerations. It then discusses abstract mechanisms such as classes, templates, and metaprogramming; and finally concludes with the discussion of C++11 and the standard library.
Accelerated C++ takes an innovative approach to teach C++ programming, as it suggests that you do not require C programming skills to learn C++. Some of the topics covered in the book are string handling, arrays, iterators, class design, pointers, operator overloading, and inheritance.
The book begins with a description of how to perceive and understand the contents of this book, as it has many exercises and discussions that may confuse a complete beginner. It then briefly discusses programming and computer science and how software connects people and computers. Moving along to C++ programming, introduction to core concepts such as objects, types, statements, functions, errors, vector, classes, and I/O, among many others, are given to the reader. The book is packed with problem exercises and examples to help you grasp the concepts quickly and effectively.
The author of the book is the distinguished Bjarne Stroustrup, the designer and the original implementer of the C++ programming language released in 1985. Stroustrup is currently the College of Engineering Chair in Computer Science Professor at Texas A&M University and has worked at Bell Labs and AT&T Labs-Research previously. It is known as one of the best books to learn C++ programming.
To conclude learning C is a good decision if you want to build a career in programming. The language introduces you to programming concepts like variables, data types, methods, functions, loops, arrays, strings, and more. After learning C you might be encouraged to learn C++ as the concepts are nearly the same but C++ is an extension of C. Learning C or C++ can land you in jobs like Game development, System administrator, and more. If you want to check out C interview questions and C++ interview questions if you are preparing for a programming interview .
Do let us know which book you prefer reading in the comments section.
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Modern C++ for Absolute Beginners is an awesome introduction to C++. You should include it here.
In fact these books are not only for people who are starting programming, this box can also work well for those who are preparing for programming interviews. C has always been in top priority for programmers to solve their questions in programming interviews.
I am new for this course , so i need your help.
I had learned C language 30 to 40 years ago and now I want to relearn programming with C and C++. I need your help to find the softwares to write and compile my programs. Let me know the enterprises delivering CD’s for the writing of software and for compiling my programs. Best Regards.
Hi Bernard, It depends on what operating system you are using. You can use a text editor like vim on Linux based systems and Notepad++ on Windows for writing your programs. For compilation, you can use https://gcc.gnu.org/ You can also use an IDE like Code Blocks or Eclipse that will do both of these things
If you intend to learn C++ then start with C++. The best programming styles of C and C++ are now very different. Go for the #1 book on this list, the C++ Primer, it's head and sholders above anythig else I've seen. As for software, if you are going to be programming for Windows then download Visual Studio Community edition, it's totally free for personal use. It's a little tricky to setup, but it's worth it for the intellisense realtime code checking on it's own. For non Windows programming my favorite is VS Code, but there are many more choices in this area.
Book Name- "Let Us C" Author Name -Yashavant Kanetkar. What you think?
Should You Learn C Or C++ First?
C++ is different than C. C is the most ubiquitous and popular programming language in C family. C is a universal, portable and efficient programming language, while C++ is popular object-oriented programming. A programmer can learn both C and C++.
Which programming language is the hardest to learn?
If you are asking about to compare between C and C++, then I must say C++ is harder but overall there is nothing easy or tough about programming languages. It all depends on your interest and desire to learn that. All languages are easy if you willing to learn it. There are so many programming languages and their different uses and approaches. You have to decide according to your interest that which one suits your skills. Here is a Hackr blog post on the best programming languages for jobs and future: https://hackr.io/blog/best-programming-languages-to-learn-2020-jobs-future
What is the best book for C++ beginners?
You can refer "Best C++ Books" section of this article.
Is it better to learn c++ through books or videos?
This question can’t be answered directly Yes or No. In programming, you are required to do practice coding as much as you can. For concepts and basics of the language, you can take help from either books and videos. Also, this depends on the time you have for learning. If you have enough time then you may go for the books otherwise video tutorials are very good to learn any language.
Where can I get PDF version of book "Let Us C" by Yashwant Kanetkar's?
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Why learn c.
Influence: C has been around for 30 years and has influenced many languages, not limited to obvious C spin-offs like C# or C++.
What Makes Best C Books?
Best books on c, 1. best book for serious learners: c: the complete reference.
C: The Complete Reference is another gem from Herbert Schildt and gives you full details on C99, the New ANSI/ISO Standard for C. You will get in-depth coverage of the C language and function libraries as well as all the newest C features, including restricted pointers, inline functions, variable-length arrays, and complex math.
Inheritance and virtual methods
2. Best Book for Completionists: C in a Nutshell: The Definitive Reference
Chapter 6 covers Statements
3. Best Book for Step-by-step Learners: C Programming in Easy Steps
4. Best Book for Total Beginners: Let Us C
Chapter 5 covers Loop Control Instruction
Chapter 17 covers Structures
5. Best Book for Theoretical Learners: Basic Computation and Programming with C
Basic Computation and Programming with C is written by Subrata Saha and Subhodip Mukherjee for Beginner C programmers. It provides in-depth coverage of the fundamentals of computation and programming in C language. The book assists in the understanding of theoretical concepts and their applications.
Chapter 9 covers the Branching statement
6. C Programming Absolute Beginner’s Guide
7.Best for ANSI Standards: The C Programming Language (Second Edition)
Among the content already listed, The C Programming Language book also covers other basic programming concepts, including variables, assignment statements, loops, and functions. The book is so easy to follow that even a novice programmer can follow along and pick up this programming language.
8. Best C Book for Advancing Skills: Learn C the Hard Way
9. Best Book for Complete Learning Experience: Head First C
10.Best Book for More Advanced Students: Expert C Programming: Deep C Secrets
Expert C Programming: Deep See Secrets was written by Peter Van Der Linden. This book is best suited for more advanced programmers who want a deeper understanding of more advanced tips and tricks. If you are a professional in computer fundamentals, this reference book can take your career to the next level.
More Ways to Learn C
Udemy offers an extensive, highly-rated course, C Programming For Beginners
5 Best C++ Books for Beginners in 2021
9 best java books for beginners in 2023.
Best C Programming Books for Beginners & Expert
What is c programming language, best books for c programming, 1. c programming absolute beginner’s guide, 2. the c programming language (2 nd edition), 3. learn c the hard way, 4. head first c, 5. c programming: a modern approach, 6. c: the complete reference, 7. c programming in easy steps, 5th edition, 8. expert c programming: deep secrets, 9. computer fundamentals and programming in c, 10. low-level programming: c, assembly, and program execution, additional resources.
The C Programming language was created in 1969. The creation of the C Programming language is attributed to Dennis Ritchie at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The C Programming language was created for microprocessor programming.
C is a programming language that was designed to be easy to understand, learn, and write. It is often called the “father of all modern programming languages.” C was created by Dennis Ritchie at the Bell Laboratories. C has been the language of choice for programs requiring efficiencies, such as system programs and programs that run on a single machine.
The C programming language is one of the most common programming languages today. C was originally designed as a system programming language, meaning it was designed to handle low-level tasks such as memory management and I/O. The language was also designed to be portable, which meant it was written to be interpreted and not compiled. This made C a good language for writing programs that had to be portable across many different operating systems and hardware. C has since evolved into a general-purpose language, meaning it is used for various applications.
Confused about your next job?
C Programming is a general-purpose programming language that is designed to be portable to different execution platforms and is a general-purpose programming language similar to the BASIC, Java, and C++ languages. It provides a wide variety of features that allow a programmer to create an application that can be executed by the CPU or a program that the operating system kernel can execute.
C is the most widely used programming language today. It is used for many different applications, including operating systems, computer games, operating systems, web browsers, and many different tools. C is also a general-purpose programming language and has a lot of similarities to C++.
C is a general-purpose programming language. C is most widely used for writing the operating systems and various system libraries. It is not a ‘programming language’ used to write a program for your smartphone or PC. It is not an ‘object-oriented’ programming Language.
About the book – A book for absolute beginners who want to learn the C programming language. The book is aimed at people who have never written a line of code in their lives and want to learn C programming. The book starts with the basics of programming, which are taught easily and understandably, and from there, the book goes on to build on that knowledge and introduce new concepts in C programming. Each concept is explained in a step-by-step manner and using code examples to fully understand the concept by looking at the code instead of just reading about it.
Author Name – By Greg Perry and Dean Miller
The book speaks about: C is one of the most fundamental and essential programming languages to learn. Every programmer needs to have a solid understanding of C. This book is an introduction to the language for absolute beginners. It is designed to be easy to read and understand, even if you have never programmed before. As you read this book, you will learn the basics of C programming, which will help you to understand the programs you write and devise your own programs.
The basics you will learn are: How to work with variables, I/O, Operators, Pointers, functions and arrays.
About the book – The C Programming Language, second edition, is a classic that provides a solid foundation for anyone interested in learning how to write code. The authors, Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie, take you through the C language, explaining the details of its syntax and standard library. You’ll learn how to write programs that are efficient, effective, and easy to maintain. This edition has been thoroughly updated to reflect the latest language and standard library features and includes new material on data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented programming.
Author Name – by Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie
What does the book speak about – This book is a classic, and for a very good reason: it’s a great book. It’s one of the best introductions to programming ever written. It covers the fundamentals of programming in C, a language still in widespread use today. This edition has been revised and updated to consider changes in C++ and C#, but it’s still a great introduction to programming.
About the book – Follow it, and you will learn the many skills early, and junior programmers need to succeed–just like the hundreds of thousands of programmers Zed has taught to date! The book discusses about secure coding, automated testing, debugging, breaking and hacking one’s code, illegal memory access, and many more interesting things along with memory allocation, data structures, queues, stacks, etc.
Author Name – by Zed Shaw
The book speaks about Zed Shaw, a software engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur who has built a learning and teaching technology career. Now he’s sharing his years of experience and knowledge in this book on C. It’s a book on how to learn C the right way. Zed will teach you how to learn C, what to focus on, how to balance your time and energy, and how to avoid common mistakes. This book is primarily for absolute beginner programmers and users who have never used a programming language before.
About the book – Head First C is a book for absolute beginners in C, whether you’re interested in a career in software development or want to brush up your C skills for a programming assignment. David and Dawn Griffiths are experienced C programmers who want to give you a solid foundation to understand and eventually master the language. The first part of Head First C focuses on the basics of C, including data types, control flow, and programming techniques. The second part delves into the C programming language, with chapters devoted to functions and variables, or structures and arrays.
Author Name – by David Griffiths and Dawn Griffiths
What does the book speak about – Head First C is a programming book for those who already know how to program but want to learn how to write code that’s more efficient and takes less time to write. The book is based on the Head First series of books, which show readers how to learn new things by “seeing” the information differently. Each chapter focuses on a different programming language, starting with the simplest languages like Python and C and more complex languages like C++, Java, and Ruby. The authors, David Griffiths and Dawn Griffiths, use simple analogies to help readers understand how the code works and get them excited about programming.
About the book – C is a programming language widely used in programming today. It is simple to learn and one of the most efficient programming languages. K. N. King, in his book C Programming: A Modern Approach, guides the reader through the basics and the more advanced features of C. This book is a great starting point for those who want to learn C, and it is also a good refresher for those who already know C but want to learn some advanced techniques. K. N. King is a well-known author in the programming world.
Author Name – by K. N. King
The book speaks about: C is one of the most frequently used programming languages. Its versatility and efficiency have made it a must-know for any programmer. This book, C Programming: A Modern Approach, is a comprehensive guide to C programming. It starts with the C language and its syntax and then builds a complete, working C program from the ground up.
About the book – The C programming language is often described as the “go-to” language for system programming. This book aims to provide a deep, comprehensive, and practical introduction to the language. The book’s first half provides an overview of the C language, including history and philosophy, C syntax and semantics, data types and control flow, functions, arrays, strings, and modules. The second half focuses on C libraries and tools, including C runtime library, C Standard Library, C library for mathematical functions, C++ library, and command-line tools.
Author Name – by Kernighan Brian W. and Ritchie Dennis
The book speaks about Kernighan and Ritchie’s C: The Complete Reference is a comprehensive reference for the C programming language. The authors spend a significant amount of time talking about the history of C, the evolution of the language, and how to program in C. They also spend a considerable amount of time discussing the standard library and the details of how C programs execute. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning C or who wants a deeper understanding of the language. It does a good job of reinforcing what is taught in a typical C programming course, but there are also a lot of details in the book that a student would never learn in a classroom setting.
About the book – The C programming language is one of the most widely used programming languages globally. It is used in various applications and is an essential skill for any programmer to learn. C Programming in easy steps, 5th Edition is a comprehensive guide to learning C programming, starting from the very basics and progressing to advanced topics. It is suitable for beginners and those with some experience who want to improve their skills.
Author Name – by Mike McGrath
What does the book speak about: C Programming is one of the most fundamental programming languages used in almost all technology today. Unfortunately, C Programming is often considered the most difficult programming language to learn, but the rewards of programming in C are worth the effort. The 5th edition of C Programming in Easy Steps is the only C programming book that has been fully updated for C Programming in the 21st Century. This book has been designed for complete beginners who have never programmed before or for those who have a little bit of programming experience but want to learn C Programming quickly and efficiently.
About the book – Peter Van Der Linden is the author of Expert C Programming: Deep Secrets. This book teaches the C programming language from the perspective of a professional programmer. In this book, Van Der Linden brings his years of programming experience to bear on the C programming language, providing a deep dive into the language’s most advanced topics. The book is divided into two parts: the first part focuses on the C programming language and its ecosystem, while the second part focuses on building robust, maintainable, and high-performance applications.
Author Name – by Peter Van Der Linden
The book speaks about Introduction to C programming is a difficult task, but this book will make it easier. It is written by Peter Van Der Linden, one of the best C programming gurus. It provides a complete introduction to the C programming language, suitable for absolute beginners. The author has used his extensive experience to write this book, which makes it a good choice for those looking to learn C programming.
About the book – Computer Fundamentals and Programming in C is a book on computer fundamentals and programming in C. The book primarily aims to provide readers with the knowledge of how a computer works and how to code in C. It also aims to teach readers the basics of programming in C and how to design programs, programs overview, data types, control structures, functions, input-output, loops, functions, arrays, strings, pointers, data structures, recursion, data structures, and Exception Handling. The book is designed to make it easy for beginners to understand the concepts and code examples provided. It also uses a lot of real-world programming examples to explain complex topics.
Author Name – by Reema Thareja
What does the book speak about: This book, “Computer Fundamentals and Programming in C” by Reema Thareja, is a comprehensive guide to learning C programming basics. It assumes no prior knowledge of programming and is perfect for absolute beginners. The book is divided into 22 chapters, each of which is further divided into several sub-chapters. The book begins with the basics of C programming, including things like data types and control structures.
About the book – As a programmer, you have probably encountered low-level languages at some point. Perhaps you have used them to learn assembly language or C. If so, you have probably wondered how these languages influence the way you think about programming. In Low-Level Programming, author Igor Zhirkov examines C, assembly, and program execution from this high-level perspective. Zhirkov approaches the book from the perspective of a programmer who has learned low-level languages and wants to learn more about how to think about programming at a higher level.
Author Name – by Igor Zhirkov
What does the book speak about: If you’re interested in becoming a software engineer but don’t know where to start, Low-Level Programming is a great place to begin. Igor Zhirkov wrote Low-Level Programming is a tutorial on low-level programming languages, such as C, assembly, and program execution. Zhirkov defines low-level programming and then dives into each language by providing examples and explanations. He also includes tips and advice for those who want to further their programming skills.
Programming is an exciting field that can help you build the website or app of your dreams. However, it can also be a difficult one, especially if you’re just starting out. One of the best ways to learn programming is through books. Books can be a great way to build a strong foundation in a programming language and give you a deeper understanding of the topics you’re learning.
We all have a teacher who taught us a subject and a moment when we first realized that we wanted to learn more and become experts in this field. For many of us, this moment was when we first learned a programming language, such as C. When you learn a programming language for the first time, it is exciting, but it can also be a little bit overwhelming. There are so many things to learn, and it isn’t easy to know where to start. One of the best ways to learn a programming language is through books.
Which author’s book is best for C programming?
Books by Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, and Graham Glass are best for beginners to learn C Programming Language. The language used in these authors’ books is easy and simple to understand.
Is C language good for beginners?
C is a powerful language that’s ideal for beginning programmers. It’s free and open source. C has been used to create some of the most popular software programs and programs on the internet. It’s a great language to get started with if you want to learn how to code.
What are a few free books for C?
1. A to Z of C by K. Joseph Wesley, R. Rajesh Jeba Anbiah 2. Programming in C by Bharat Kinariwala, Tep Dobr 3. Functional C by Pieter Hartel, Henk Muller
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The Definitive C Book Guide and List
This question attempts to collect a community-maintained list of quality books on the c programming language, targeted at various skill levels.
C is a complex programming language that is difficult to pick up on-the-go by reading online tutorials. A comprehensive book is often the best way to learn the language, and finding a good book is the first step. It is important to avoid badly-written books, and even more importantly, books that contain serious technical errors.
Please suggest edits to the accepted answer to add quality books, with an approximate skill level and a short blurb/description about each book. ( Note that the question is locked, so no new answers will be accepted. A single answer is being maintained with the list )
Feel free to debate book choices, quality, headings, summaries, skill levels, and anything else you see that is wrong. Books that are deemed satisfactory by the C community here will stick around on the list; the rest will be regularly removed.
For books that have reviews by the Association of C and C++ Users (ACCU), a link to those reviews should be added along with the book.
- Other C-related resources in the c tag wiki
- A similar list for c++ : The Definitive C++ Book Guide and List
This question was discussed on Meta as part of the Deleted Questions Audit 2018 . The consensus was to keep it undeleted and actively maintained.
- 4 If you are new to C, keep in mind that modern C is ANSI C and anything predating that standard (1989) may be wildly out of date. Shoot for the mid-90s or later. – Dana Robinson Jun 7, 2011 at 1:28
- 7 @Dhaivat I think not, be careful to jump on the K&R bandwagon. K&R does not address good program design nor good programming practice, mainly because it was originally written before anyone knew what good programming practice was. It does not mention which parts of the C language that are superfluous or even dangerous. The book is correctly listed as a reference manual, it should not be used for teaching/learning modern programming. – Lundin Aug 12, 2011 at 7:45
This is a list of random books of diverse quality. In the view of some people (with some justification), it is no longer a list of recommended books. Some of the listed books contain blatantly incorrect statements or teach wrong/harmful practices. People who are aware of such books can edit this answer to help improve it. See The C book list has gone haywire. What to do with it? , and also Deleted question audit 2018 .
Reference (All Levels)
The C Programming Language (2nd Edition) - Brian W. Kernighan and Dennis M. Ritchie (1988). Still a good, short but complete introduction to C (C90, not C99 or later versions), written by the inventor of C. However, the language has changed and good C style has developed in the last 25 years, and there are parts of the book that show its age.
C: A Reference Manual (5th Edition) - Samuel P. Harbison and Guy R. Steele (2002). An excellent reference book on C, up to and including C99. It is not a tutorial, and probably unfit for beginners. It's great if you need to write a compiler for C, as the authors had to do when they started.
C Pocket Reference (O'Reilly) - Peter Prinz and Ulla Kirch-Prinz (2002).
The comp.lang.c FAQ - Steve Summit. Web site with answers to many questions about C.
Various versions of the C language standards can be found here . There is an online version of the draft C11 standard .
The new C standard - an annotated reference (Free PDF) - Derek M. Jones (2009). The "new standard" referred to is the old C99 standard rather than C11.
Rationale for C99 Standard .
C Programming: A Modern Approach (2nd Edition) - K. N. King (2008). A good book for learning C.
Programming in C (4th Edition) - Stephen Kochan (2014). A good general introduction and tutorial.
C Primer Plus (5th Edition) - Stephen Prata (2004)
A Book on C - Al Kelley/Ira Pohl (1998).
The C Book (Free Online) - Mike Banahan, Declan Brady, and Mark Doran (1991).
C: How to Program (8th Edition) - Paul Deitel and Harvey M. Deitel (2015). Lots of good tips and best practices for beginners. The index is very good and serves as a decent reference (just not fully comprehensive, and very shallow).
Head First C - David Griffiths and Dawn Griffiths (2012).
Beginning C (5th Edition) - Ivor Horton (2013). Very good explanation of pointers, using lots of small but complete programs.
Sams Teach Yourself C in 21 Days - Bradley L. Jones and Peter Aitken (2002). Very good introductory stuff.
C In Easy Steps (5th Edition) - Mike McGrath (2018). It is a good book for learning and referencing C.
Effective C - Robert C Seacord (2020). A good introduction to modern C, including chapters on dynamic memory allocation, on program structure, and on debugging, testing and analysis. It has some pointers toward probable C2x features.
Intermediate
Modern C — Jens Gustedt (2017 1st Edn; 2019 2nd Edn). Covers C in 5 levels (encounter, acquaintance, cognition, experience, ambition) from beginning C to advanced C. It covers C11 and C17, including threads and atomic access, which few other books do. Not all compilers recognize these features in all environments.
C Interfaces and Implementations - David R. Hanson (1997). Provides information on how to define a boundary between an interface and implementation in C in a generic and reusable fashion. It also demonstrates this principle by applying it to the implementation of common mechanisms and data structures in C, such as lists, sets, exceptions, string manipulation, memory allocators, and more. Basically, Hanson took all the code he'd written as part of building Icon and lcc and pulled out the best bits in a form that other people could reuse for their own projects. It's a model of good C programming using modern design techniques (including Liskov's data abstraction), showing how to organize a big C project as a bunch of useful libraries.
The C Puzzle Book - Alan R. Feuer (1998)
The Standard C Library - P.J. Plauger (1992). It contains the complete source code to an implementation of the C89 standard library, along with extensive discussions about the design and why the code is designed as shown.
21st Century C: C Tips from the New School - Ben Klemens (2012). In addition to the C language, the book explains gdb, valgrind, autotools, and git. The comments on style are found in the last part (Chapter 6 and beyond).
Algorithms in C - Robert Sedgewick (1997). Gives you a real grasp of implementing algorithms in C. Very lucid and clear; will probably make you want to throw away all of your other algorithms books and keep this one.
- Pointers on C - Kenneth Reek (1997).
Problem Solving and Program Design in C (6th Edition) - Jeri R. Hanly and Elliot B. Koffman (2009).
Data Structures - An Advanced Approach Using C - Jeffrey Esakov and Tom Weiss (1989).
C Unleashed - Richard Heathfield, Lawrence Kirby, et al. (2000). Not ideal, but it is worth intermediate programmers practicing problems written in this book. This is a good cookbook-like approach suggested by comp.lang.c contributors.
- Object-oriented Programming with ANSI-C (Free PDF) - Axel-Tobias Schreiner (1993). The code gets a bit convoluted. If you want C++, use C++. It only uses C90, of course.
Expert C Programming: Deep C Secrets - Peter van der Linden (1994). Lots of interesting information and war stories from the Sun compiler team, but a little dated in places.
Advanced C Programming by Example - John W. Perry (1998).
Advanced Programming in the UNIX Environment - Richard W. Stevens and Stephen A. Rago (2013). Comprehensive description of how to use the Unix APIs from C code, but not so much about the mechanics of C coding.
Uncategorized
Essential C (Free PDF) - Nick Parlante (2003). Note that this describes the C90 language at several points ( e.g. , in discussing // comments and placement of variable declarations at arbitrary points in the code), so it should be treated with some caution.
C Programming FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions - Steve Summit (1995). This is the book of the web site listed earlier. It doesn't cover C99 or the later standards.
C in a Nutshell - Peter Prinz and Tony Crawford (2005). Excellent book if you need a reference for C99.
C in a Nutshell (2nd Ed.) - Peter Prinz and Tony Crawford (2016), a reference-style book covering C11.
Functional C - Pieter Hartel and Henk Muller (1997). Teaches modern practices that are invaluable for low-level programming, with concurrency and modularity in mind.
The Practice of Programming - Brian W. Kernighan and Rob Pike (1999). A very good book to accompany K&R. It uses C++ and Java too.
C Traps and Pitfalls by A. Koenig (1989). Very good, but the C style pre-dates standard C, which makes it less recommendable these days.
Some have argued for the removal of 'Traps and Pitfalls' from this list because it has trapped some people into making mistakes; others continue to argue for its inclusion. Perhaps it should be regarded as an 'expert' book because it requires moderately extensive knowledge of C to understand what's changed since it was published.
MISRA-C - industry standard published and maintained by the Motor Industry Software Reliability Association. Covers C89 and C99.
Although this isn't a book as such, many programmers recommend reading and implementing as much of it as possible. MISRA-C was originally intended as guidelines for safety-critical applications in particular, but it applies to any area of application where stable, bug-free C code is desired (who doesn't want fewer bugs?). MISRA-C is becoming the de facto standard in the whole embedded industry and is getting increasingly popular even in other programming branches. There are (at least) three publications of the standard (1998, 2004, and the current version from 2012). There is also a MISRA Compliance Guidelines document from 2016, and MISRA C:2012 Amendment 1 — Additional Security Guidelines for MISRA C:2012 (published in April 2016).
Note that some of the strictures in the MISRA rules are not appropriate to every context. For example, directive 4.12 states "Dynamic memory allocation shall not be used". This is appropriate in the embedded systems for which the MISRA rules are designed; it is not appropriate everywhere. (Compilers, for instance, generally use dynamic memory allocation for things like symbol tables, and to do without dynamic memory allocation would be difficult, if not preposterous.)
Archived lists of ACCU-reviewed books on Beginner's C (116 titles) from 2007 and Advanced C (76 titles) from 2008. Most of these don't look to be on the main site anymore, and you can't browse that by subject anyway.
There is a list of books and tutorials to be cautious about at the ISO 9899 Wiki , which is not itself formally associated with ISO or the C standard, but contains information about the C standard (though it hails the release of ISO 9899:2011 and does not mention the release of ISO 9899:2018).
Be wary of books written by Herbert Schildt . In particular, you should stay away from C: The Complete Reference (4th Edition, 2000), known in some circles as C: The Complete Nonsense.
Also do not use the book Let Us C (16 th Edition, 2017) by Yashwant Kanetkar. Many people view it as an outdated book that teaches Turbo C and has lots of obsolete, misleading and incorrect material. For example, page 137 discusses the expected output from printf("%d %d %d\n", a, ++a, a++) and does not categorize it as undefined behaviour as it should. It also consistently promotes unportable and buggy coding practices, such as using gets , %[\n]s in scanf , storing return value of getchar in a variable of type char or using fflush on stdin .
Learn C The Hard Way (2015) by Zed Shaw. A book with mixed reviews. A critique of this book by Tim Hentenaar:
To summarize my views, which are laid out below, the author presents the material in a greatly oversimplified and misleading way, the whole corpus is a bundled mess, and some of the opinions and analyses he offers are just plain wrong. I've tried to view this book through the eyes of a novice, but unfortunately I am biased by years of experience writing code in C. It's obvious to me that either the author has a flawed understanding of C, or he's deliberately oversimplifying to the point where he's actually misleading the reader (intentionally or otherwise).
"Learn C The Hard Way" is not a book that I could recommend to someone who is both learning to program and learning C. If you're already a competent programmer in some other related language, then it represents an interesting and unusual exposition on C, though I have reservations about parts of the book. Jonathan Leffler
- Practical C Programming (3rd Edition) - Steve Oualline (1997)(Beginner)
Other contributors , not necessarily credited in the revision history, include: Alex Lockwood , Ben Jackson , Bubbles , claws , coledot , Dana Robinson , Daniel Holden , desbest , Dervin Thunk , dwc , Erci Hou , Garen , haziz , Johan Bezem , Jonathan Leffler , Joshua Partogi , Lucas , Lundin , Matt K. , mossplix , Matthieu M. , midor , Nietzche-jou , Norman Ramsey , r3st0r3 , ridthyself , Robert S. Barnes , smalinux , Steve Summit , Tim Ring , Tony Bai , VMAtm
- @LorenzoDonati--Codidact.com — the list is a lot less random than it originally was, but is still not as definitive or comprehensive as would be desirable. It is actively maintained. There are still books in the list that I've not reviewed that I regard as somewhat dubious. It lists a few old books about pre-standard C that should perhaps be removed. – Jonathan Leffler Oct 1, 2021 at 14:49
- Here is a project with clear and tested solutions to the exercises in the C Programming Language by K and R, hope it helps: github.com/double-o-z/TheCProgramming_KandR – DoubleOZ Mar 10, 2022 at 1:55
- Thank you for helping curate this list @JonathanLeffler. If possible, could you please indicate which books are pending review, e.g. an asterisk before the title? I'm looking for an introductory text, so it would help to know which titles are definitely recommended. – user51462 Aug 21, 2022 at 7:51
- How about "C A Software Engineering Approach (3rd Edition)" by Darnell and Margolis (1996)? It was a nice book to study from in the mid 2000s. – Hari Sep 6, 2022 at 15:16
- 2 @Hari Why should we add even more outdated books to the list? It's bad enough as it is... Anything which doesn't at least cover C11 is questionable, anything which doesn't at least cover C99 is a historical relic not suitable for learning. – Lundin Dec 1, 2022 at 9:31
Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged c or ask your own question .
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10 Best C and C++ Programming Books for Beginners and Experienced Programmers in 2023
These are the best books to master c and c++ programming languages. it includes books for all kinds of c/c++ developers with varied experience..
If you are just starting out with your programming career and confused about which programming language to choose to learn to code then you are not alone. The sheer number of programming languages is simply overwhelming.
It is, therefore, worth knowing that a good number of these languages heavily borrow their syntax from C , which makes starting with your programming journey with C Programming language, an apt choice.
I have started my programming career with C and C++ before learning Java, and it’s been more than 11 years since I am using C++, though not as often as Java , which becomes my primary skill, my C++ knowledge has helped me to work on projects where both C++ and Java is used.
Once considered the go-to language for general-purpose software development in the structured programming era, C has influenced quite a long list of languages to include PHP , JavaScript , Java , and Python .
Using familiar C structures makes it possible for new languages to improve acceptance. C++ builds upon C to now offer support for objects and classes.
Often time, I am rusty with C++ with very less coding, but whenever I have to refresh my knowledge, I have the right books and courses to do so. I have used C++ on both professional and personal projects and mostly use a GCC compiler.
If you ask me which one is tough to learn, C++ or Java? I would say C++? It’s even difficult to master, and you cannot master it unless you are coding C++ daily.
That’s why it’s also very important to choose the right books to learn from C++ from the start, but oftentimes it’s difficult given so many C++ books are available in the market.
In this article, I’ll share a couple of books that I think are good for both beginners and intermediate C++ programmers . I consider myself in between a beginner and intermediate C++ programmer, as I actually code C++, use libraries from the Boost project, which is like JDK, but offer more algorithms than the Collection framework. By using Boost and STL, you feel like coding in Java because you don’t need to reimplement common functionalities like sockets, collections, serialization, etc. So, I have also included the best C++ books which explain STL and Boost, two essential libraries for any professional C++ developer. If you are a visual and active learner like me then you can also combine these books with an online course like Beginning C++ Programming — From Beginner to Beyond , which covers everything you need to know about CPP and also provides a more active and visual learning experience. This combination of a book and course works well to learn something new in a quick time.
Beginning C++ Programming - From Beginner to Beyond
Which programming language is often seen as a badge of honor among software developers c++ which programming language…, top 10 books to learn c and c++ for beginners and experienced developers in 2023.
Without wasting any more of your time, here is a list of the best books to learn C and C++ from a beginner's point of view. Though, I have also included some advanced C++ books for experienced developers and senior students.
1. C Programming Absolute Beginner’s Guide
This is one of the best C programming books a beginner should read. Taking into account that C has features and operations considered low level, and its different sized variables make it difficult for new programmers to learn.
The approach used by the author gradually increases the complexity of the content after an extensive look at the basics. Using the Code: Blocks IDE, the book walks the reader through basic variable declarations to more advanced topics as working with functions and searching and sorting arrays.
Authors: Greg Perry and Dean Miller Though the book is great for a beginner programmer, it would be a lot better if flow control was tackled much earlier in the book and some of the C related content such as heap management were left for the end. Nonetheless, the book is an effective guide to learning C and you can easily make up for those shortcomings by joining a C programming online course like C Programming for Beginners on Udemy. I highly suggest combining this book and course to start your C programming journey.
2. The C Programming Language (2nd Edition)
This is probably the most recommend C programming book ever. Commonly referred to as the K&R , this book is a must-read book for all C programmers, including beginners and experienced developers.
Authored by one of the designers of the C language, Dennis Ritchie, this short read is packed with the fundamental concepts behind the language. It is because of it that C became popularized during its early development. It served as the de facto standard for all who required a detailed C reference.
Authors: Brian W Kernighan and Dennis M Ritchie The K&R covers the entire language’s specification which is quite rare for any other book in a different language. Other than the basics, C libraries are well covered and with numerous examples to try out. Its workflow is better organized and helps the learner to slowly build up on covered content.
Here is the link to get this book — The C Programming Language (2nd Edition)
If you need an online course to go with this book, I suggest you join Duke University’s Introduction to Programming in C specialization in Coursera. It’s a great collection of courses to learn and master C programming in a few weeks.
Introductory C Programming
Learn essential programming fundamentals. master programming skills to solve complex problems. this specialization….
coursera.pxf.io
Apart from that Coursera also has Coding for Everyone: C and C++ Specialization and Programming in C++: A Hands-on Introduction Specialization which are great to learn hands-on C++ coding and development
Programming in C++: A Hands-on Introduction
Codio is the hands-on learning platform supporting better outcomes in computing and tech skills education and is used….
By the way, instead of joining these courses and specialization individually, you can also join the Coursera Plus , a subscription plan from Coursera which gives you unlimited access to their most popular courses, specialization, professional certificate, and guided projects.
Coursera Plus | Unlimited Access to 7,000+ Online Courses
Invest in your professional goals with coursera plus. get unlimited access to over 90% of courses, projects…, 3. the c++ programming language (4th edition).
This is one of the best books to learn C++ Programming from Scratch and it's good for both beginners and experienced programmers. Created by Bjarne Stroustrup this book is perfect to learn one of the most popular languages, C++ adds object-oriented concepts (data abstractions, polymorphism, inheritance, and encapsulation).
Additionally, it introduces function overloading, and exception handling, which was previously absent in C programming. The language’s creator and developer authored this book to serve as documentation for the continuously evolving programming language. Consequent editions have been written to include changes in the language. Though it covers the language’s construct, some of its contents may appear advanced for novice programmers. However, with a good grasp of the basics, this book is excellent for all levels of programmers. Its companion book, David Vandevoorde’s C++ Solutions, offers learners step-by-step solutions to exercises found in Bjarne’s book.
If you want, you can also combine this book with a free online course like C++ Tutorials for Beginners on Udemy to benefit from some active learning experience. This course is also completely free and more than 300K students have already joined it.
4. C++ Primer (5th Edition)
Authors: Stanley B Lippman, Josee Lajoie, and Barbara E Moo It is agreed upon by many that this text forms one of the most effective introductions to the language. The book endeavors to be a reference book and a study tool for all levels of programmers.
Only requiring a basic understanding of programming constructs, the book quickly builds upon one’s knowledge to cover important concepts such as C++’s template facility, algorithmic libraries, and classes. It provides great insights for even experienced programmers with its extensive coverage of the language’s features. As with the book’s tradition, the text continues to be kept up to date with the changing classifications of C++.
This valuable resource also features a good number of new examples not included in older editions. If you need a course to go with this book, check out C++: From Beginner to Expert on Udemy.
5. C++ Primer Plus (6th Edition)
This C++ book is authored by Stephen Prata and it's awesome for both new programmers, students, and experienced developers who will find this book helpful in its coverage of C++’s programming logic.
Its engaging explanations, coupled with well-explained examples, provide new programmers with a solid background in the language. The text also adequately covers object-oriented programming concepts. This is quite important as the topic is often quite confusing for new programmers. Farrell clarifies classes and objects making it possible for even new programmers to start developing more complex program structures. Similar to other texts in this list, the book thoroughly details the concept of templates as used in C++ as well as exception handling. Experienced programmers will find its explanation of random number generation informative especially for scientific simulations.
And, if you need an advanced course to go with this book, check out Learn Advanced C++ Programming by John Purcell.
Learn Advanced C++ Programming by Developing Advanced Applications
After working as a software developer and contractor for over 14 years for a whole bunch of companies including csc…, 6. effective c++ and more effective c++.
I read Effective C++ by Scott Meyers after reading Effective Java by Joshua Bloch. As the name suggests, the book aims to teach you the right and effective way to use C++.
This was written with the aim of being the second-best C++ programming book and it is right up there. This is a great book for all programmers coming from different backgrounds learning C++ like programmers coming from C and programmers coming from Java. The 3rd edition of Effective C++ contains 55 essays to improve your C++ program and design skills . This also helps to understand C++ better. In short, one of the must-read C++ books for experienced C++ developers.
In short, one of the most must-read books for any C++ intermediate and experienced developer.
7. Beyond the C++ Standard Library: An Introduction to Boost
Even though now C++ standard library has improved a lot in C++1, Boost is still the most used C++ library in both professional and personal projects. This book gives a good description of base Boost libraries. http://www.boost.org/. This book is mainly for intermediate and experienced C++ programmers as it explains not only how to use boost library but also why you should use these libraries. As a professional C++ developer, it’s imperative to learn and get familiar with the Boost library, and there is no better book to do that than this one. You can also combine this book with the Learn Advanced C++ Programming course by John Purcell in Udemy. This course not only covers the C++ STL library but also introduces modern C++ concepts introduced in C++ 11 like Lambda expression.
8. Effective Modern C++
This is another gem from Scott Mayor, the most effective C++ author. This is basically the new version of Effective C++ to help C++ programmers upgrade themselves from C++03 to C++11 and C++14.
I strongly suggest reading Effective Modern C++ along with Effective C++ to learn C++ better. If you need a course, you can also check out the C++ Standard Library including C++ 14 & C++ 17 course by Rainer Grimm on Educative for some interactive learning experience.
9. C++ Template Metaprogramming
This is one of the best C++ books from the C++ In-Depth Series. This book is about metaprogramming in C++, based on the Boost Metaprogramming Library. The first part of the book explains the basics of template programming and describes the boost MPL library quite well. It has a lot of examples to walk you through concepts, and it also explains metaprogramming, which many C++ programmers are not aware of. It’s not a beginner book but rather a good one for expert C++ programmers. If you need a course on C++ Template, I recommend the Beginner C++ Template course on Udemy. It’s a free course which means you don’t need to pay anything but you will learn a lot.
10. C++ Concurrency In Action
This is one of the best books to learn Concurrency using C++, this book is authored by Anthony Williams and it’s a great book for experienced C++ developers or someone who wants to become a C++ expert programmer. It’s like what Java Concurrency in Action for Java developers. Concurrency is always been tricky in C++ and that’s the main area where Java scored well but C++ concurrency has come a long way. The first edition of this was an excellent book covering C++11 concurrency support including the thread library, the atomics library, the C++ memory model, locks, and mutexes, as well as issues of designing and debugging multithreaded and concurrent applications. This is the second edition which was released last year. It is updated to cover all the latest changes from C++ 14 and C++ 17. The book will teach you everything a C++ developer needs to know to write a robust, high-performance, and elegant concurrent C++ application. If you are serious about C++ programming I highly recommend you to read this book. If you want you can also combine this book with the Modern C++ Concurrency in Depth course by Kasun Liyanage on Udemy for quicker more active learning. It nicely complements this book.
That’s all about the best books to learn C and C++ programming for beginners, students, junior programmers, and developers . Whether starting out as a hobbyist programmer or a computer science student, any of the books on the list would serve as an essential addition to your library.
Even with new programming languages being developed every few years, C and C++ are still highly ranked. They have proved to be essential tools and a gateway to learning other programming languages.
As such, they are still relevant and worth learning, even in today’s software development Other Programming Articles You May Like to Explore
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P. S. — While these books are very good and perfect to learn both C and C++ but if it’s getting tougher for you then I also suggest you join a course like Beginning C++ Programming — From Beginner to Beyond , which covers everything you need to know about CPP and provides a more active and visual learning experience.
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10 Best C Programming Books
Appearing before C++, C is the primary programming language many programs still use today. It has a hugely popular application that is the foundation for many other programming languages.
C is also a primary programming language that beginners should master. It requires you to pay attention to study and improve your knowledge regularly.
This article will review the top ten C programming books. These publications can provide helpful knowledge for you to tackle complex tasks.
1. Java 2: The Complete Reference
Specification
- Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 11th edition
- Language: English
- Item Weight: 3.86 pounds
- Dimensions: 7.99 x 10 x 1.85 inches
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Reason To Buy
- Reputable author
- Famous book titles
- Clearly explained
- Full of theory
Those who study programming or work in the information technology industry are certainly no strangers to the name Herbert Schildt.
He is one of the world’s top programming book authors, voted by International Developer magazine. The book I recommend to you is one of the most outstanding, Java 2: The Complete Reference.
Of the many books written on the C++ programming language on the market, it is the product that many consider being very suitable for newcomers.
As I read this book, I found the author gave detailed language explanations. The author’s text is simple for people who have never been exposed to C++.
It is an indispensable book for any student or person who wants to learn about programming. All the basic concepts and knowledge bases are in the book in a clear and logical sequence. You will quickly master the theory of C programming after reading this book carefully.
I also love the accompanying references that the author gives. These documents and the book’s knowledge have helped me a lot in my work and learning process.
2. C Programming Language
- Publisher: Pearson; 2nd edition (March 22, 1988)
- Language: English
- Print length: 279 pages
- File size: 17590 KB
- Dimensions: 7.99 x 10 x 1.85 inches
- Clear information
- Suitable for beginners
- Logical and clear presentation
- Experienced Author
Many people have called Kernighan and Ritchie’s C Programming Language “the bible in the field of computer science.”
It is not an exaggerated name. The book is the result of efforts from a well-known software designer with extensive computer technology experience.
Their profound knowledge and presentation are equally impressive.
After reading this book, I found the author’s inner statements very clear. The author has conveyed knowledge highly effectively to readers through clear and simple words. It didn’t take long to understand what the author was referring to.
The author describes things in the book as slow lessons that anyone can learn.
The content in the book is divided into chapters in a logical sequence. I can understand how the author presents and the connection the publication makes. After the main contents, the book also provides valuable references.
The book gave me an overview of the C programming language, and I found it extremely useful for anyone wanting to learn about the field.
Every programmer should have this on their bookshelf. It has helped me train my ability to code carefully and correctly from the beginning of the process.
3. C Programming Absolute Beginner’s Guide
- Paperback: 352 pages
- Item Weight: 1.15 pounds
- Dimensions: 7 x 0.9 x 9 inches
- Various references
- Presentation of basic concepts
- Easy-to-understand example
The following work on this list is a highly suitable publication for beginners. I used this work to understand more about C basics.
I no longer feel pressured to deal with this programming language theory. I had the opportunity to explore C programming language applications using the free version for Windows on my computer.
By applying the simple instructions given by the author, I could practice using the commands to operate the program. It is a great help for beginners to understand the structure of the language and familiarize themselves with the most scientific manipulation procedures.
The author presented the content of the book as awe-inspiring to me. The author’s explanations are clear enough for the reader to understand them.
The examples in work are elementary to understand. So, you won’t have any trouble starting to learn about C with this book.
The references that the author mentions are very diverse. I found a lot of helpful material in this section. I have recommended this work to my friends looking to start learning C programming.
4. Head First C: A Brain-Friendly Guide
- Publisher: O’Reilly Media; 1st edition (May 8, 2012)
- Item Weight: 2.6 pounds
- Dimensions: 8 x 1.31 x 9.25 inches
- Clear content
- Details are presented in chapters
- Basic knowledge and easy to grasp
- Real-life examples for easy follow
Good programmers must have read or heard of this textbook for programming.
The Head First C: A Brain-Friendly Guide provides basic and transparent information about the C programming language for anyone to follow.
It is one of the books I recommend to my friends who are interested and want to learn about C programming. I am pleased with how the book’s content has been divided into chapters logically.
Every aspect the book covers is crucial for your C programming skills. The author has tried to present the most detailed chapters so readers can easily follow. After owning the work, I have not missed any outstanding knowledge in this programming language.
The author gives basic knowledge about C and describes some deep connections between C and another programming language, Unix. It is advanced knowledge for you to grasp the practical application of the C language today.
The book also provides sample code and clear examples for readers to follow.
I have tested and mastered many new skills with this book. After finishing reading this publication, I gained tremendous confidence in my work. You should read it as soon as possible when learning about the C programming language.
5. C Programming in Easy Steps
- Publisher: Print Easy Steps Limited
- File size: 11317 KB
- Print length: 197 pages
- Bright cover colors
- Easy to understand
- Lots of pictures from the show
The next book I want to discuss on this list is a beginner’s book. I got this piece when I was just a college student, and it has been a great help to me while learning about the C language.
The primary content presented by the author in the book is very detailed and easy to understand. I was able to absorb the knowledge presented in work.
The author has arranged each book chapter logically from low to high in complexity. I can follow the content without any discomfort or confusion.
In addition to the basic theory, the book contains many concrete examples for other readers to follow and me.
Many complete photos in the book have helped me detail the available cases to apply the C programming language. Its bright colors are also a plus point for the reader’s attraction.
Schools can also make this book available to students, and its low cost makes it accessible to everyone. Yet, you should have a little basic computer knowledge for better reading efficiency.
6. Expert C Programming: Deep Secrets
- Publisher: Pearson; 1st edition (June 14, 1994)
- File size: 19883 KB
- Print length: 837 pages
- Easy to follow
- Interesting stories
- Point out the program traps
- A detailed explanation of important aspects
I enjoyed how the author told this book’s historical stories related to the C programming language. These anecdotes fueled my interest in learning and reading more on the subject.
The author gave me insight into the relationship between pointers and array theory using imperative expression declaration syntax.
These are the two main contents that the author wants to explain in his book.
These two things are complicated, and the fact that the reader can clarify them gives them a great plus when competing with other publications on the market.
The author led the reader through the aspects in a light and easy-to-follow manner. So, I felt free when faced with the contents of the book. And the critical details all have appropriately detailed explanations.
The work also provides traps and points out common C programming language mistakes. Hence, it benefits those who often face this language, like me. It has taken my work capacity to a whole new level.
7. The C Programming Language
- Publisher: Pearson India; 2nd edition (October 8, 2015)
- Item Weight: 14.5 ounces
- Full information
- Reasonable presentation
- Famous works
This publication is an edited paperback. You will receive a portable “bible” in the computer and information technology industry.
The eye-catching green cover with guaranteed paper quality and clear ink will satisfy even the most demanding book collector.
The author introduces detailed information about the C programming language and related information. I have learned many valuable tips while programming through this publication. The author explained to me how the program works and why one should use these algorithms and not the other.
It does not teach you how to program from scratch, but only supports advanced programming. I made a massive leap in proficiency after researching this piece.
8. C Programming: A Modern Approach
- Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
- Paperback: 832 pages
- Item Weight: 2.57 pounds
- Dimensions: 7.5 x 1.1 x 9.2 inches
- Modern approach
- Practical exercises
- Light and attractive office
- The answers to the question are fascinating
The next book on this list is a light and engaging office product that anyone will love. I feel the love and passion that the author has for the C programming language. That feeling has become the driving force behind my work and work.
Publications written on the first C language fell out of favor after the program underwent several modifications. So, updating new approaches to adapt to today’s modern reality is extremely necessary.
The author has detailed C99, comparing it with the previous C90 to give an overview for readers.
The precise explanation for each problem in the book makes me very satisfied. In each chapter, the author will answer fascinating questions that I can use to review my knowledge. These examples have helped me improve my use of the C language. My confidence has increased dramatically.
The practical exercises that the book offers are also attractive challenges for readers. They can be difficult, but trying will teach you many valuable lessons.
In short, it is a book that you should experience in your learning about the C programming language.
9. Computer Fundamentals And Programming In C
- Publisher: OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS (January 1, 2016)
- Item Weight: 2.2 pounds
- Eye-catching edition
- Detailed C coding processes
- Provide basic and valuable knowledge
- Good example and easy to understand
The following work on this list is a highly engaging edition. When I started learning about the C language, I decided to buy this book right after reading its title. Luckily, I was satisfied with my quick decision.
This book explains essential C programming basics to me. I have mastered the background knowledge after owning this work. The author did not make me feel awkward in any way, and all the information was transparent to understand.
The specific examples presented in the book support perfect practice. There can even be more than 30 illustrated programs in a book chapter. It provides valuable help to anyone just starting to learn about C programming.
I have recommended this work to many who want to pursue this programming language and to university students in related fields. They all feel it’s excellent for beginners.
10. Low-Level Programming: C, Assembly, and Program Execution
- Publisher: Apress; 1st ed. edition (June 29, 2017)
- Item Weight: 19.05 pounds
- Dimensions: 7.01 x 1.05 x 10 inches
- Useful for beginners
- It offers many new techniques
- Extend many applications for C programming
The last book on this list that I recommend to you is a work by Igor Zhirkov. He is a talented lecturer at ITMO University in Saint Petersburg, responsible for lectures on programming language systems.
The information present in the Low-Level Programming is all research and experience of the author, so you can rest assured to trust.
The author’s presentation is concise but still very easy to understand. The work is like a gentle lecture for students and students who want to study careers related to information technology and computer science. For those who are already employed, this publication can also provide excellent academic support.
I had the opportunity to understand better how to program Intel 64 with C and assembly language through this book. The practical exercises are also significant. I had a chance to improve my C program understanding.
This book is an excellent guide to learning low-level programming languages.
Many people have asked questions regarding C programming books and language. I will answer the most frequently asked questions below.
Which author’s book is best for C programming?
One of the most outstanding books for programmers that many people love is C Programming Absolute Beginner’s Guide . You can see a detailed review regarding this product in the section above.
What are a few free books for C?
There are free titles on the C language that you can refer to. I can give you names like The C Book, An Introduction to GCC, or style elements.
Is C language suitable for beginners?
Yes, C is a good programming language that a beginner should learn. Data space and keywords, the system’s syntax is not too complicated, and you can grasp it quickly and easily. It also gives you an excellent foundation to better understand other programming languages.
Can I learn C language in 10 days?
In 10 days, you can master the basics and have a basis to start using the C programming language in practice. However, to fully understand and master it, you will need a longer time.
Which are the best C Programming books?
The answer depends on each person’s perception. For me, C programming language is a work to be noticed. You can follow the 10 best products I mentioned above to find the best book for your learning path.
C is one of the most popular programming languages because of its high applicability and notable features. Good titles will be your inspirational and knowledgeable teachers in conquering this language.
I recommend looking up the Head First C: A Brain-Friendly Guide for beginners. It is the book that gives the most basic instructions for you.
The C Programming Language is also a classic book in the field with the knowledge you should take advantage of.
I hope you find a great book and quickly master the C language!
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COMMENTS
BEST C Programming Books for Beginners and Expert · 1) C Programming Absolute Beginner's Guide · 2) C Programming Language · 3) C: The Complete
C ; C Programming Language, 2nd Edition. 3,676 ; Effective Modern C++: 42 Specific Ways to Improve Your Use of C++11. Effective Modern C++: 42 Specific Ways to
5 Best C Programming Books (Recommended by the Programming Community) · 1. C Programming Absolute Beginner's Guide · 2. The C Programming Language (2 Edition) · 3.
2. Best Book for Completionists: C in a Nutshell: The Definitive Reference · 3. Best Book for Step-by-step Learners: C Programming in Easy Steps.
Best C Programming Books for Beginners & Expert ; 1. C Programming Absolute Beginner's Guide.
The C Programming Language (2nd Edition) - Brian W. · C Programming: A Modern Approach (2nd Edition) - K. N. · C In Easy Steps (5th Edition) -
Top 10 Books to learn C and C++ for Beginners and Experienced Developers in 2023 · 1. C Programming Absolute Beginner's Guide · 2. The C Programming Language (2nd
10 Best C Programming Books · 1. Java 2: The Complete Reference · 2. C Programming Language · 3. C Programming Absolute Beginner's Guide · 4. Head
C Interfaces and Implementations by Hanson. Some of the best written ANSI C code I have every seen! The lessons taught by Hanson gave me new skills and insights
Despite what many think, I'd say the "The C Programming Language (2nd Edition - ANSI C)" by Brian Kernighan & Dennis Ritchie (K&R) book is still a good