In
the first edition of this book, I decided to assume that someone else had
taught you C and that you have at least a reading level of comfort with it. My
primary focus was on simplifying what I found difficult – the C++
language. In this edition I have added a chapter that is a very rapid
introduction to C, assuming that you have some kind of programming experience
already. In addition, just as you learn many new words intuitively by seeing
them in context in a novel, it’s possible to learn a great deal about C
from the context in which it is used in the rest of the book.
Thinking
in C
For
those of you who need a gentler introduction to C than the chapter in this
book, I have created with Chuck Allison a CD ROM called “Thinking in C:
foundations for Java and C++” which will introduce you to the aspects of
C that are necessary for you to move on to C++ or Java (leaving out the nasty
bits that C programmers must deal with on a day-to-day basis but that the C++
and Java languages steer you away from). This CD can be ordered at
http://www.BruceEckel.com. [Note: the CD will not be available until late Fall
98, at the earliest – watch the Web site for updates]