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Expert C Programming [Paperback]

Peter van der Linden
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
List Price: CDN$ 44.99
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Book Description

Jun 14 1994 0131774298 978-0131774292 1

Written for experienced C programmers who want to quickly pick up some of the insights and techniques of experts and master the fine arts of ANSI C, this volume passes on the wisdom of a highly experienced C compiler writer and his colleagues to help programmers reach new heights, and avoid common software pitfalls along the way. Using an original approach and a humorous style that makes deep knowledge both easy and accessible, it gathers into one place, tips, hints, shortcuts, guidelines, ideas, idioms, heuristics, tools, anecdotes, C folklore, and techniques that are often penciled in margins and on backs of papers by those working in the programming trenches—working on many different kinds of projects, over many, many years. Each chapter is divided into self-contained sections. Includes extended discussions of major topics such as declarations and arrays/pointers; offers a great many hints and mnemonics; covers topics that many C programmers find confusing; and features one of the best introductions to C++, and the rationale behind it. Throughout, technical details are interspersed with many true stories of how C programming works in practice, and each chapter ends with an amusing C story or piece of software folklore. For software engineers and computer programmers who are writing, developing, testing, debugging software on either IBM PCs or Unix systems.


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Expert C Programming + C Programming Language (2nd Edition) + C: A Reference Manual (5th Edition)
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Defying the stereotypical notion that technical books tend to be boring, Expert C Programming offers a lively and often humorous look at many aspects of C--from how memory is laid out to the details of pointers and arrays. The author reveals his points through invaluable anecdotes, such as stories of costly bugs, and through folklore, such as the contents of Donald Knuth's first publication. Each chapter ends with a section entitled "Some Light Relief," which discusses topics (topics that some may consider to be "recreational"), such as programming contests. A fabulous appendix on job interview questions finishes the book. --Jake Bond

From the Inside Flap

Preface

Browsing in a bookstore recently, I was discouraged to see the dryness of so many C and C++ texts. Few authors conveyed the idea that anyone might enjoy programming. All the wonderment was squeezed out by long boring passages of prose. Useful perhaps, if you can stay awake long enough to read it. But programming isn't like that!

Programming is a marvellous, vital, challenging activity, and books on programming should brim over with enthusiasm for it! This book is educational, but also interesting in a way that puts the fun back in functions. If this doesn't seem like something you'll enjoy, then please put the book back on the shelf, but in a more prominent position. Thanks!

OK, now that we're among friends, there are already dozens and dozens of books on programming in C - what's different about this one?

Expert C Programming should be every programmer's second book on C. Most of the lessons, tips, and techniques here aren't found in any other book. They are usually pencilled in the margin of well-thumbed manuals or on the backs of old printouts, if they are written down at all. The knowledge has accumulated over years of C programming by the author and colleagues in Sun's Compiler and Operating Systems groups. There are many interesting C stories and folklore, like the vending machines connected to the Internet, problems with software in outer space, and how a C bug brought down the entire AT&T long-distance phone network. Finally, the last chapter is an easy tutorial on C++, to help you master this increasingly-popular offshoot of C.

The text applies to ANSI standard C as found on PCs and UNIX systems. Unique aspects of C relating to sophisticated hardware typically found on UNIX platforms (virtual memory, etc.) are also covered in detail. The PC memory model and the Intel 8086 family are fully described in terms of their impact on C code. People who have already mastered the basics of C will find this book full of all the tips, hints, and shortcuts that a programmer usually picks up over a period of many years. It covers topics that many C programmers find confusing:

  • What does typedef struct bar {int bar;} bar; actually mean?
  • How can I pass different-sized multidimensional arrays to one function?
  • Why, oh why, doesn't extern char *p; match char p100; in another file?
  • What's a bus error? What's a segmentation violation?
  • What's the difference between char *foo and char(*foo)?

If you're not sure about some of these, and you'd like to know how the C experts cope, then read on! If you already know all of these things and everything else about C, get the book anyway to reinforce your knowledge. Tell the bookstore clerk that you're "buying it for a friend."

— PvdL, Silicon Valley, California


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Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun to read and extremely helpful Aug 17 2002
Format:Paperback
The title of this message says it all. This is my 2nd time around reading this book. I bought it about 1 year ago and I'm reading it again just for fun really... The author keeps the book humorous throughout and you'll definitely know you're a geek when you find yourself snickering at all of the hilarious comments in the book. These comments aren't "fun filler" like other books use. It's strange how other books will just throw in silly comic headers at the beginning of each chapter or take time away from learning to say something stupid to try and get a laugh. Peter actually has comments that are hilarious, but will help you learn at the same time. Everything is extremely informative. My favorite chapters include:

Chapter 3: Unscrambling Declarations in C
Chapter 4: The Shocking Truth: C Arrays and Pointers are NOT the Same!
Chapter 5: Thinking of Linking
Chapter 7: Thanks for the Memory
Chapter 9: More about Arrays
Chapter 10: More about Pointers
Appendix: Secrets of Programmer Job Interviews

Yes, even the Appendix was excellent. This book will really help a novice C programmer gain a very FIRM grasp of pointers and C declarations that scared ... us when we first saw C. Find a good book on Algorithms ( Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis in C ) and you're definitely an expert in C!

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4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book! Informative and fun Oct 10 2003
By Jack
Format:Paperback
For those looking to dig deeper into the nuances of the C language, this is an excellent book! It has given me a better understanding of C that is helping me design better C code. A must have!
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5.0 out of 5 stars very entertaining read! April 1 2003
By Ah Pui
Format:Paperback
is this a bestselling novel? this got to be one of the most entertaining technical book ever! heck, i bought it only to enjoy the humorous sections of the book. i like the funny stories at each section which greatly alleviates the "pain" of reading usual C programming books. the interview section is worth the price of the book. great technical writing demonstrated throughout the book. buy it!
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Most recent customer reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars Horrible, a waste of paper.
This book should have been called "Stupid Mistakes You Will Make In C the First Two Months @ Work". There is nothing expert about this book and the author is (... Read more
Published on May 13 2004
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but not oustanding.
At first glance the book purports to be similar to other early Bell Labs books about C, specifically, "The C Programming Language", "The Elements of Programming Style", "The C... Read more
Published on July 30 2003 by Donald Gillies
5.0 out of 5 stars hmm Where to start.
Ok, this is in answer to another review. First, I don't think this book was meant for the 20 yr pro. Read more
Published on Mar 27 2003 by Marc Maffei
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting for beginners, ok for pros ...
This is an interesting book. It is unlike any other C programming book I have ever read. The book should have been called "A dated cornucopia of tips, tricks, problems, good,... Read more
Published on Mar 22 2003 by "irvine_dude"
5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book!!
This book is a must have for anyone interested in learning more about C programming. It's funny, and it really makes it enjoyable to learn the more advanced aspects of the... Read more
Published on Aug 16 2002 by Adam W. Lapoint
3.0 out of 5 stars = * * *
I think this book is cute, but written in 1994 it is _way_ out of date in 200x. At that time, for a *nix programmer, it was a gem. Read more
Published on Aug 12 2002 by Larry R
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book.
The Chapter on unscrambling C declarations is worth the
the price of the book alone. This author is a good writer and
his book is both funny and educational.
Published on July 19 2002 by F. Pizzi
5.0 out of 5 stars C Programming fun
I saw this book first shortly after it came out and just had to have it. The DOS material is a bit dated, but still of interest. Read more
Published on July 10 2002 by Donald R Doerres
5.0 out of 5 stars funny book on C
This book show you how C programming can be fun as well as dangerous. Peter makes you smile and laugh with his wit and pranks. Read more
Published on Jun 13 2002 by Raj
5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic book for experienced c programmers
This book is the best book on a programming language I had ever read. It really captivates the reader and is laugh out loud funny. Read more
Published on April 2 2002 by Niki
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