Recommended books for learning C?

[DZ*]

Do you have any proof that C++ is an OO extension of C?? Are you able to cite a source to back-up your non-rational claim?

The creator of C++ Bjarne Stroustrup says that "C++ is an extension of C" and "C++ could be considered a superset of C. C programs will run in C++ compilers."

http://www.hitmill.com/programming/cpp/cppHistory.html
http://www.hitmill.com/programming/cpp/whatiscpp.html

He also wrote that "C++ is a better C" and has this in his FAQ:

"It is not uncommon to be able to convert tens of thousands of lines of ANSI C to C-style C++ in a few hours. Thus, C++ is as much a superset of ANSI C as ANSI C is a superset of K&R C"

(http://www2.research.att.com/~bs/bs_faq.html)

[NathanB]

Do you have any proof that C++ is an OO extension of C?? Are you able to cite a source to back-up your non-rational claim?

Both C and C++ inherit qualities from the same 'language family', but they are certainly two separate, and distinct, different languages.

Answer: C++ was once implemented as a pre-processor + macros tacked onto a C compiler.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C_preprocessor

[cprofitt]

NathanB and DZ:

Please recommend some books and take the debate about what the standard is to a different thread or to private messages.

[NathanB]

The creator of C++ Bjarne Stroustrup says that "C++ is an extension of C" and "C++ could be considered a superset of C. C programs will run in C++ compilers."

http://www.hitmill.com/programming/cpp/cppHistory.html
http://www.hitmill.com/programming/cpp/whatiscpp.html

He also wrote that "C++ is a better C" and has this in his FAQ:

"It is not uncommon to be able to convert tens of thousands of lines of ANSI C to C-style C++ in a few hours. Thus, C++ is as much a superset of ANSI C as ANSI C is a superset of K&R C"

(http://www2.research.att.com/~bs/bs_faq.html)

I believe his "C++ is a better C" was *his* way of promoting his new language. I'm positive he was aware of alternative ways of "doing OO" in straight C. Good info, all the same. Thanks. But as cprofitt has pointed-out, we've gone off-topic.

[zkriesse]

Ok, seriously...ENOUGH! If you must debate about who did/made what or what is or not is, take it to a different thread...that's why we have the Community Cafe....use it! This is a thread asking for HELP! Not debates. Either help the guy or don't say anything at all...stay on topic please. Thanks

[Simian Man]

I would like to have one that conforms to the latest standard (C99) so that I will be able to take advantage of the new features that were introduced, if there are any that out there.

Most C programmers don't actually use C99, and most C books don't teach it.

K&R is what most will recommend.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%26R_C

K & R is a great book for programmers, but not for people with no programming experience.

Ok, seriously...ENOUGH! If you must debate about who did/made what or what is or not is, take it to a different thread...that's why we have the Community Cafe....use it! This is a thread asking for HELP! Not debates. Either help the guy or don't say anything at all...stay on topic please. Thanks

First off, they can't use the Cafe because it's closed. Secondly standards and differences between languages are actually important when learning a programming language.

Anyway, I really don't think C is a good programming language for beginners because nowadays it is really more of a niche language than a general-purpose one. Hence the lack of good beginners C books.

[cprofitt]

I asked a few folks on my LUG mailing list who program in C.

They agreed with K&R, but also recommended - C Primer Plus by Stephen Prata

I apologize to the OP for all the folks that have made this thread go off topic. I hope that the two books I recommended help you in your endeavors.

[momrocker]

Back to the topic...

I was trying to avoid suggestions for K&R by asking for the book to conform to the current standard. I want a book that I would be able to learn major programming concepts from that would aid in my overall understanding of programming, not so much a tool for applying these concepts to a new programming language. Also, I have avoided cprogramming.com because of how much they constantly refer to C++'s "superiority", even in their C tutorial. It gets annoying after a while. So, should I go with this one? Does anyone else have an opinion on that book?

Thanks again!

EDIT: Just noticed more people posted while I was writing this, will read those, too.

EDIT: C Primer Plus seems to be exactly what I was looking for, though I am open to any other suggestions if there are any.