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C Programming Books

The cluster focuses on recommendations for books to learn C programming, debating classics like K&R's 'The C Programming Language' against modern alternatives such as K.N. King's 'C Programming: A Modern Approach' and Jens Gustedt's 'Modern C'.

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array.c viewsourcecode.org apple.com MUCH EDIT UTF8 oreilly.com IMO HN THE programming book language books programming language read modern 2nd recommend edition

Sample Comments

lprd • Jul 20, 2022 • View on HN

Besides the classic C book by K&R, what are some more modern C books that the HN community vouch for?

kristianp • Mar 13, 2018 • View on HN

Sorry, that was a joke. If I was honest I might say K&R's 2nd edition of "The C Programming Language".

philonoist • Oct 30, 2018 • View on HN

I think K N King serves best for the purpose. Many haven't mentioned this already and I am surprised about that.amazon.com/C-Programming-Modern-Approach-2nd/dp/0393979504

pinewurst • Nov 18, 2020 • View on HN

Buying "The C Programming Language" by K&R back in 1983. :)

roberthahn • Jan 8, 2016 • View on HN

In light of the fact that best practices have evolved considerably since K&R, what book(s) would you recommend for people wanting to learn C today?

veyron • Jun 12, 2011 • View on HN

I would suggest reading K&R (C Programming Language) as it's concise, clean, and should at least help you in developing a proper mindset for understanding programming languages

sedachv • Apr 26, 2011 • View on HN

I don't understand why people keep citing K&R as a great book. It's a fairly mediocre introduction to C programming. Harbison and Steele is much more useful IMO.

raddan • Oct 8, 2022 • View on HN

I am surprised to see nobody mention Practical C Programming (https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Programming-Does-Nutshell-H...) by Steve Oualline. Before I studied computer science in school, I read this book and successfully taught myself C. Readers here may consider it to be a bit remedial, but if you’re struggling to understand the other recomm

canadev • Jul 20, 2014 • View on HN

Could you recommend some modern books on C programming?

sgt • Mar 5, 2015 • View on HN

For those of you who are not familiar with "The C Programming Language" (also written by Kernighan), see: http://www.amazon.com/C-Programming-Language-2nd/dp/01311036...