C Programming Essentials

1 Introduction to the C Programming Language
1.1 What is C? 
1.2 Why Program in C? 
1.3 When Not to Use C? 
1.4 Where Did C Come From? 
Chapter Summary 
Author’s Sidenote 

2 A Simple Program
2.1 The Canonical Introductory C Program 
2.2 Editing and Saving a C Program 
2.3 A Dissection of Our Program 
Chapter Summary 

3 How Does a C Program Become an Executable Program?
3.1 What is a Compiler? 
3.2 Do I Have a C Compiler? 
3.3 Compile helloworld.c 
3.4 Compiling and Running Your First Program 
3.5 I’d Rather Use an Online Compiler!  
3.6 Going Forward 
Chapter Summary 

4 Expanding Our Simple Program
4.1 Basic Input and Output of Strings 
4.2 Printing a String to the Terminal 
4.3 Reading a String From the Terminal 
4.4 More Advanced Printing of Formatted Output to the
Terminal 
4.5 A Glancing Blow at Advanced Formatted Input from
the Terminal 
4.6 C Strings 
4.7 Receiving Strings from the Command Line 
4.8 Experiment! 
Chapter Summary 
Quiz 

5 Control Structures
5.1 if  
5.2 goto 
5.3 switch 
5.4 while 
5.5 for 
5.6 do/while 
5.7 Nasty Infinite Loops 
5.8 Error Handling 
Chapter Summary 
Quiz 

6 Literals, Identifiers, Variables, Primitive
Types & Operators
6.1 Literals 
6.2 Identifiers 
6.3 Variables 
6.4 Primitive Types 
6.5 Operators 
6.6 Expressions 
Chapter Summary 
Quiz 

7 Array
7.1 The Concept of an Array 
7.2 Declaring Arrays 
7.3 The Internal Representation of Arrays 
7.4 Accessing and Storing Values in an Array 
7.5 Two-Dimensional Arrays 
Chapter Summary 
Quiz 

8 User-Defined Types
8.1 Typedef 
8.2 enum 
8.3 struct 
8.4 union 
Chapter Summary 
Quiz 

9 Keywords, Statements, Code Blocks, Macros,
and Functions
9.1 Keywords 
9.2 Statements 
9.3 Code Blocks 
9.4 Macros 
9.5 Functions 
Chapter Summary 
Quiz 

10 Organizing Larger Programs
10.1 Introduction 
10.2 One File is Not Enough 
10.3 Header Files 
10.4 Implementation Files 
10.5 The Marriage of Header Files and Implementation
Files 
10.6 Putting It All Together 
Chapter Summary 
Quiz 

11 Managing Dynamic Memory
11.1 The Different Kinds of Memory Used in a C
Program 
11.2 Allocating Dynamic Memory 
11.3 Deallocating Dynamic Memory 
11.4 Avoid Dangling Pointers! 
11.5 Recycling Dynamic Memory and Its Security
Implications 
Chapter Summary 
Quiz 

12 File Input/Output and Directories
12.1 Files and Directories 
12.2 Opening and Closing Files 
12.3 Text Files 
12.4 Binary (Data) Files 
12.5 Random Access Files (Seek and You Might Find) 
12.6 Directories 
Chapter Summary 
Quiz 

13 Basic Problem-Solving
13.1 Understanding the Problem 
13.2 Problem-Solving Strategies 
13.3 Analogies, Imagination, and Metaphor 
Chapter Summary 
Quiz 

14 String Manipulation
14.1 The Standard Library (string.h) 
14.2 The String Functions 
14.3 The Memory Functions 
14.4 Creating Alternatives to string.h 
Chapter Summary 
Quiz 

15 Math, Time, and Pseudorandomness
15.1 The Standard Library (math.h) 
15.2 Time 
15.3 Pseudorandom Number Generators 
Chapter Summary 
Quiz 

16 Threads and Processes
16.1 Threads 
16.2 Processes 
Chapter Summary 
Quiz 

17 Where To Go From Here?
17.1 Expanding Your Knowledge of C 
17.2 Learning Graphics Programming 
17.3 Learning Data Structures and Algorithms 
17.4 Learning Applied Discrete Mathematics 
17.5 Learning Classical, Formal, or Mathematical
Logic 
17.6 Learning Other Programming Languages 
17.7 Becoming Better at Being You 
17.8 Goal-Based Paths 
Conclusion 
References

Stephen DeVoy is a computer scientist and educator with expertise in AI, simulation, and web development. Skilled in C, C++, Java, Python, and Lisp, he simplifies programming for learners.

Vibrant Publishers is focused on presenting the best texts for learning about technology and business as well as books for test preparation. Categories include programming, operating systems and other texts focused on IT. In addition, a series of books helps professionals in their own disciplines learn the business skills needed in their professional growth.

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C Programming Essentials provides a clear and practical introduction to the C programming language. The book is well structured for beginners, moving from basic syntax and program structure to important topics such as control flow, arrays, pointers, memory management, structures, file operations, and the preprocessor. I especially appreciate its example-driven style, which can help students connect programming concepts with hands-on practice.
-- Younghun Chae, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, Kent State University at Stark

C Programming Essentials is a well-intentioned, competently written textbook that succeeds in its primary mission: making the C programming language accessible to newcomers. Its logical chapter structure, audience-appropriate pacing, and accurate technical core give it a strong foundation.
-- Kalpesh P. Modi, Robotics Engineer, Member of Technical Staff

This is a really great and thorough resource that delves into programming enough so that you can learn how to actually use C programming but not too much that it's overwhelming. A lot of other C programming books I've encountered are either too technical or too light that it's basically an overview. This book was really balanced.
-- Melanie Green, Blogger, USA

A well-crafted introduction to the C programming language, designed for beginners and hobbyists. The book’s greatest strength is its clarity: Stephen breaks down complex concepts into digestible parts, using analogies and real-world examples to make learning engaging. The structured progression—from basic syntax to advanced topics like memory management and file I/O—ensures readers build a solid foundation.The book excels in practical application, with numerous code examples, quizzes, and hands-on exercises that reinforce learning. Stephen emphasizes problem-solving strategies, teaching readers not just how to code but how to think like a programmer. His explanations of pointers, dynamic memory, and low-level programming are particularly effective, demystifying topics that often confuse beginners.Ideal for absolute beginners, hobbyists, and students, the book is less suited for advanced programmers seeking niche applications. Compared to classics like K&R’s The C Programming Language, Stephen’s work is more accessible, making it a better choice for those new to programming.In summary, C Programming Essentials is a highly effective, beginner-friendly guide that teaches the fundamentals of C while fostering a deeper understanding of how computers work. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to master the language’s essentials.
-- Wilson Yeung, Senior Tech Lead

This was a great book. Finally, a programming book that I and probably most other people can understand.
-- Mike Michelsen, Netgalley Reviewer

This is such a great resource for new people, people who want a refresher, and people who are already comfortable but like having more of a perspective of how everything works. Easy to read, organized, and thorough, I enjoyed this very much.
-- Lisa Davidson, Netgalley Reviewer

C Programming Essentials makes a strong case for learning C not just as a language, but as a window into how software actually works. The book’s defining feature is its commitment to machine-level understanding — as readers learn to write and compile C programs, they’re also learning how the machine stores and represents data at the bit level, which builds the kind of foundational knowledge that carries over into every other language. The curriculum is thoughtfully tiered: beginners start with the basics of writing, compiling, and running programs across Windows, Linux, and Unix, while more experienced programmers can skip ahead to the harder material — pointers, dynamic memory, threads, processes, and object-oriented simulation in C. That dual-track structure makes it genuinely useful across experience levels rather than forcing everyone through the same on-ramp. For anyone serious about system-level development or simply wanting to understand what’s happening beneath the abstractions of modern programming, this is a clear and practical place to start.
-- A. Braddock, Netgalley Reviewer

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