:: Re: [DNG] Learning C (books)
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Author: R A Montante, Ph.D.
Date:  
To: dng
Subject: Re: [DNG] Learning C (books)
>> Hi,
>> I would recommend:
>>
>> The C Programming Language (sometimes termed K&R, after its authors'
>> initials) is a computer programming book written by Brian Kernighan
>> and Dennis Ritchie
> No no no no NO! The preceding book is the ultimate reference, but it's
> horrible to learn from. I know: I tried for a year to learn from K&R
> version 1, and couldn't. Then I got something called "The C Puzzle
> Book", and learned. But these days, with the web, I don't think a book
> is necessary except for telling you best practices, but initial
> learning is best done without worrying about best practices.
>
> Speaking of best practices, IIRC the K&R code examples are terse and
> cute but horribly unreadable.
>
> SteveT


Different strokes for different folks. I loved learning C from K&R.
Every time I hit a problem, a careful reading of the relevant parts
always explained it. But that was me (and in a very different era),
and as I am currently teaching C I know that many of my students need
more structural support in learning I did. I've just starting using
an online textbook instead of only my own notes, and most of them seem
to like having something they can refer to when they're on their own.

-- 
Bob Montante
     The Tao of math:  The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.