Greg Perry - Absolute Beginner’s Guide to C, 2nd Edition

Greg Perry

Copyright 1994 by Sams Publishing

SECOND EDITION

All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. For information, address Sams Publishing, a division of Prentice Hall Computer Publishing, 201 W. 103rd St., Indianapolis, IN 46290.

International Standard Book Number: 0-672-30510-0

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 94-65313

97 96 95 94 4 3 2

Interpretation of the printing code: the rightmost double-digit number is the year of the books printing; the rightmost single digit, the number of the books printing. For example, a printing code of 94-1 shows that the first printing of the book occurred in 1994.

Composed in AGaramond and MCPdigital by Prentice Hall Computer Publishing

Printed in the United States of America

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For Chris Fellers: Your help with my first book led to more than 25 more. Thanks for the encouragement when I needed it.

My thanks go to all my friends at Sams Publishing. Most writers would refer to them as editors; to me they are friends. The acquisitions editor for the majority of my books, Stacy Hiquet, specializes in kindness and patience. Mary Inderstrodt and Matt Usher turn my questionable work into award-winning copy. Dean Miller and Gary Farrar helped developed this manuscript into something for everyone, and they managed to maintain accuracy where I failed miserably. Last but not least, Richard Swadley, the big chief who gives all the grief, deserves the final credit for the success of every book from Sams. Richards initial direction for every book seems to hit the bullseye, and he knows exactly what the audience needs and wants.

I want all my readers to understand this: The people at Sams Publishing care about you most of all. The things they do result from their concern for your knowledge and enjoyment.

On a more personal note, my beautiful bride Jayne, my proud parents Glen and Bettye Perry, and my friends, who wonder how I find the time to write, all deserve credit for supporting my need to write.

Greg Perry is a speaker and writer in both the programming and applications sides of computing. He is known for bringing programming topics down to the beginners level. Perry has been a programmer and trainer for the past 16 years. He received his first degree in computer science, and then he received a Masters degree in corporate finance. Besides writing, he consults and lectures across the country, including at the acclaimed Software Development programming conferences. Perry is the author of more than 25 other computer books, including Absolute Beginners Guide to Programming, Turbo C++ Programming 101, Moving from C to C++, QBasic Programming 101, Teach Yourself Object-Oriented Programming with Turbo C++, and Teach Yourself Object-Oriented Programming with Visual C++ (all published by Sams Publishing). In addition, he has published articles in several publications such as Software Development, Access Advisor, PC World, Data Training, and Inside First Publisher. In his spare time, he gives lectures on traveling in Italy, his second-favorite place to be.

Are you tired of seeing your friends get C programming jobs while youre left out in the cold? Would you like to learn C but just dont have the energy? Is your old, worn-out computer in need of a hot programming language to spice up its circuits? This book is just what the doctor ordered!

Absolute Beginners Guide to C breaks the commonality of computer books by talking to you at your level without talking down to you. This book is like your best friend sitting next to you teaching C. Absolute Beginners Guide to C attempts to express without impressing. It talks to you in plain language, not in computerese. The short chapters, line drawings, and occasionally humorous straight talk guide you through the maze of C programming faster, friendlier, and easier than any other book available today.

This is a beginners book. If you have never programmed before, this book is for you. No knowledge of any programming concept is assumed. If you cant even spell C, you can learn to program in C with this book.

The phrase absolute beginner has different meanings at different times. Maybe youve tried to learn C before but gave up. Many books and classes make C much more technical than it is. You might have programmed in other languages but are a beginner in C. If so, read on, o faithful one, because in 32 quick chapters, youll know C.

This book doesnt cloud issues with internal technical stuff that beginners in C dont need. The author (me) is of the firm belief that introductory principles have to be taught well and slowly. Once you tackle the basics, the harder parts never seem hard. This book teaches you the real C that you need to get started.

C can be an extremely cryptic and difficult language. Many people try to learn C more than once. The problem is simply this: Any subject, whether it be brain surgery, mail sorting, or C programming, is easy if its explained properly. Nobody can teach you anything, because you have to teach yourself; but if the instructor, book, or video doing the teaching doesnt make the subject simple and