If you are just beginning your programming career, it is very important for you to pick the right programming language to learn the programming language. There are a number of programming languages out there and choosing from an ocean of such languages might be overwhelming for you. So, you must keep in mind that a few of these languages borrow heavily from C, thus making C an apt choice to start with your programming journey.
C language is machine-independent and a structured programming language which is used extensively in various applications
Here, in this article, we will talk about the top 13 C Language Books in 2022.
Top C Language Books for Beginners and Advanced Developers
1) C Programming Absolute Beginner’s Guide
This is a book written by Dean Miller and Greg Perry. It teaches some of the basic concepts of C language with clear and easy steps. The method to organize problems and work with operators, variables, I/O, pointers, functions, etc. is explained in the book.
It has simple instructions that will help you to create reliable, and useful C code, from games to mobile apps.
2) C Programming Language
Written by Brain W. Kernighan, the C Programming Language (2nd Edition) is ideal for every serious programmer's digital library. To easily follow most of the examples, you should have a background in Data Structure.
You need to have some familiarity with basic programming concepts like assignment statements, variables, loops and functions, to read this C programming book.
Here, you will also find detailed information about the C language reference manual. It will also help you in notation, syntax, declarations, scope rules, etc.
3) C: The Complete Reference
Written by Herbert Schildt, The Complete Reference 4th Edition is an ideal C++ reference. Here, C is taught as a subset of C++. It will also help you to illustrate the C++ language with good examples. As a reference book of C, this is highly recommended.
While the other books teach the basics of C++, this book goes deep and tells you new information about the stuff you already know.
4) Head First C: A Brain-Friendly Guide
Written by Griffiths David, Head First C provides you with in-depth knowledge about the C language. This guide not only teaches you the language but, with a unique method that goes beyond syntax and how-to manuals, it also helps you to understand how to be a great programmer.
The fundamental areas of the C language are the main focus of the book. Areas like pointers and pointer arithmetic, language basics, and dynamic memory management are focused.
You will also find in-depth projects with the purpose of stretching your abilities and testing your skills.
5) C Programming in easy steps (5th Edition):
This book will offer you an easy-to-follow style that appeals to everyone. For someone who wants to begin programming in C, this book is especially suited. For those who are studying C programming at school or universities, it is a preferred choice.
This book is a must for those who want to build a career in computing and further their fundamental understanding of procedural programming. Here you will find the explanation for how you can download and install a free C compiler to create your first executable program by examples given in the book.
6) Expert C Programming: Deep Secrets
Written by Peter Van Der Linden, Expert C programming is a second book that offers many advanced tips and tricks. C programmers are helped to scan the sections that are relevant to their immediate needs.
The various coding techniques that are used by the best C programmers are explained in the book. The introduction to C given in the book is written in the simplest language so that the programmer can understand it without any in-depth research. Also, for anyone who wants to learn more about the implementation and the practical use of C, this is an ideal programming book.
7) The C Programming Language 2nd Edition
Written for the advanced C programmers, Kernighan's book requires the person to have some background in Data Structure in order to follow most of the examples easily. From previous chapters like getting a line, alloc, strcmp, etc. the book was structured to reuse functions.
But, in C's standard library, most of these functions are exactly the same. You will learn the crucial area of C, if you read the content of this book deeply, which will save you from trouble.
8) C Programming: A Modern Approach
People with no prior programming experience are targeted in this book. In its treatment of the majority of C programming concepts, it is quite comprehensive. The information needed by a C programmer in using the standard C library is also covered.
The easy language used by the author helps all types of readers. A significant number of exercises and longer programming projects are included along with some extensive revisions and updates.
9) Computer Fundamentals and Programming in C
Written by Reema Thareja, this is a second edition of the book. It is designed especially for students of computer science, engineering, and computer applications.
There are two parts to this book. Part I starts with an introduction to computers and you get a detailed account of various types of topics like input and output devices, number systems, secondary memory devices, etc. Various case studies, chapter-end exercises, and key terms are also included.
10) Low-Level Programming: C, Assembly, and Program Execution
Intel 64 architecture is explained in the book. Also, the latest version of C language and assembly language are taught from scratch. The entire path from source code to program execution is covered including the ELG object files and static and dynamic linking with vast numbers of coding examples and exercises.
Many performance gain techniques like SSE instructions and pre-fetching are also included in this book. Other important Computer Science topics such as models of computation and formal grammar also explained.
11) C in a Nutshell: The Definitive Reference 2nd Edition
Written by Peter Prinz, this book is a modern C reference book for experienced C programmers. It will help you to learn how to build C programs with GNU and build executable programs from C source code. You can also learn how to test and debug your programs with the help of GNU debugger.
The C language is covered in the book in three sections. All the important language elements like statements, character, points, memory management, etc are covered in the first seciton. In the second, you learn about the C standard library, and in the third section you will find out about the basic C programming tools.
12) Hands-on Network Programming with C
This book covers all the key concepts like hostname, resolution with DNS, etc. Here you will be told about the fundamental network protocols, UDP, TCP and all the essential techniques like peer-to-peer and client-server models. These concepts are taught with the help of practical examples.
The HTTP will be studied from both the perspectives, of the client and the server perspective. You will have the experience of working with client-server applications at the end of this book and you will be able to implement new network programs in C.
13) Data Structures Using C
Written by Reema Thareja, this book covers abstract concepts of data structures and their implementation using C language.
It begins with a full overview of the various concepts of C programming. Then, it moves on to the different data structures and methods that will help you analyse the complexity of different algorithms. Various data structures like strings, arrays, linked lists, queues, trees, heaps, and graphs are covered.
Conclusion
Selecting the right programming language is a vital aspect of starting a career in programming, and with numerous options available, it can be difficult to make the right choice. However, as many programming languages have borrowed heavily from C, learning C is a great way to begin your programming journey.
This article has highlighted the top 13 C Programming Books for beginners and advanced developers in 2022. Each book offers unique and useful knowledge, and anyone who wants to learn C programming can find a suitable book from this list. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced programmer, these books will help you advance your C programming skills, making you a better programmer.
Frequently Asked Questions
1: Can beginners use these C programming books?
Yes, beginners use these C programming books as all 13 books are beginner-friendly, and they deal with the basics, such as data types, variables, and control structures, and gradually introduce more complex topics.
2: Are these books relevant for advanced C programmers?
These books are also relevant for advanced C programmers as they cover a wide range of advanced topics and techniques to help even experienced programmers improve their skills.
3: Can I learn C programming without a teacher or instructor?
Yes, You can learn C programming without a teacher or instructor with the help of these books. These books are written to be self-guided and provide clear explanations and practical examples.
4: Will these books help me land a job as a C programmer?
While reading these books alone won't guarantee a job as a C programmer, they will certainly help you gain the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in a C programming job interview.
You May Also Like:
