book

C Primer Plus, Sixth Edition

Name: C Primer Plus, Sixth Edition
Author: Stephen Prata
ISBN: 9780133432398

by Stephen Prata

November 2013

Intermediate to advanced

1080 pages

32h 21m

English

Addison-Wesley Professional

Read now

Unlock full access

About This eBook
Title Page
Copyright Page
Developer’s Library
Contents at a Glance
Dedication
About the Author
Acknowledgments
We Want to Hear from You!
Reader Services

Preface
1 Getting Ready
Whence C?Why C?Design FeaturesEfficiencyPortabilityPower and FlexibilityProgrammer OrientedShortcomingsWhither C?What Computers DoHigh-level Computer Languages and CompilersLanguage StandardsThe First ANSI/ISO C StandardThe C99 StandardThe C11 StandardUsing C: Seven StepsStep 1: Define the Program ObjectivesStep 2: Design the ProgramStep 3: Write the CodeStep 4: CompileStep 5: Run the ProgramStep 6: Test and Debug the ProgramStep 7: Maintain and Modify the ProgramCommentaryProgramming MechanicsObject Code Files, Executable Files, and LibrariesUnix SystemThe GNU Compiler Collection and the LLVM ProjectLinux SystemsCommand-Line Compilers for the PCIntegrated Development Environments (Windows)The Windows/Linux OptionC on the MacintoshHow This Book Is OrganizedConventions Used in This BookTypefaceProgram OutputSpecial ElementsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercise
2 Introducing C
A Simple Example of CThe Example ExplainedPass 1: Quick SynopsisPass 2: Program DetailsThe Structure of a Simple ProgramTips on Making Your Programs ReadableTaking Another Step in Using CDocumentationMultiple DeclarationsMultiplicationPrinting Multiple ValuesWhile You’re at It—Multiple FunctionsIntroducing DebuggingSyntax ErrorsSemantic ErrorsProgram StateKeywords and Reserved IdentifiersKey ConceptsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercises
3 Data and C
A Sample ProgramWhat’s New in This Program?Data Variables and ConstantsData: Data-Type KeywordsInteger Versus Floating-Point TypesThe IntegerThe Floating-Point NumberBasic C Data TypesThe int TypeOther Integer TypesUsing Characters: Type charThe _Bool TypePortable Types: stdint.h and inttypes.hTypes float, double, and long doubleComplex and Imaginary TypesBeyond the Basic TypesType SizesUsing Data TypesArguments and PitfallsOne More Example: Escape SequencesWhat Happens When the Program RunsFlushing the OutputKey ConceptsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercises
4 Character Strings and Formatted Input/Output
Introductory ProgramCharacter Strings: An IntroductionType char Arrays and the Null CharacterUsing StringsThe strlen() FunctionConstants and the C PreprocessorThe const ModifierManifest Constants on the JobExploring and Exploiting printf() and scanf()The printf() FunctionUsing printf()Conversion Specification Modifiers for printf()What Does a Conversion Specification Convert?Using scanf()The * Modifier with printf() and scanf()Usage Tips for printf()Key ConceptsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercises
5 Operators, Expressions, and Statements
Introducing LoopsFundamental OperatorsAssignment Operator: =Addition Operator: +Subtraction Operator: –Sign Operators: – and +Multiplication Operator: *Division Operator: /Operator PrecedencePrecedence and the Order of EvaluationSome Additional OperatorsThe sizeof Operator and the size_t TypeModulus Operator: %Increment and Decrement Operators: ++ and --Decrementing: --PrecedenceDon’t Be Too CleverExpressions and StatementsExpressionsStatementsCompound Statements (Blocks)Type ConversionsThe Cast OperatorFunction with ArgumentsA Sample ProgramKey ConceptsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercises
6 C Control Statements: Looping
Revisiting the while LoopProgram CommentsC-Style Reading LoopThe while StatementTerminating a while LoopWhen a Loop Terminateswhile: An Entry-Condition LoopSyntax PointsWhich Is Bigger: Using Relational Operators and ExpressionsWhat Is Truth?What Else Is True?Troubles with TruthThe New _Bool TypePrecedence of Relational OperatorsIndefinite Loops and Counting LoopsThe for LoopUsing for for FlexibilityMore Assignment Operators: +=, -=, *=, /=, %=The Comma OperatorZeno Meets the for LoopAn Exit-Condition Loop: do whileWhich Loop?Nested LoopsProgram DiscussionA Nested VariationIntroducing ArraysUsing a for Loop with an ArrayA Loop Example Using a Function Return ValueProgram DiscussionUsing Functions with Return ValuesKey ConceptsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercises
7 C Control Statements: Branching and Jumps
The if StatementAdding else to the if StatementAnother Example: Introducing getchar() and putchar()The ctype.h Family of Character FunctionsMultiple Choice else ifPairing else with ifMore Nested ifsLet’s Get LogicalAlternate Spellings: The iso646.h Header FilePrecedenceOrder of EvaluationRangesA Word-Count ProgramThe Conditional Operator: ?:Loop Aids: continue and breakThe continue StatementThe break StatementMultiple Choice: switch and breakUsing the switch StatementReading Only the First Character of a LineMultiple Labelsswitch and if elseThe goto StatementAvoiding gotoKey ConceptsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercises
8 Character Input/Output and Input Validation
Single-Character I/O: getchar() and putchar()BuffersTerminating Keyboard InputFiles, Streams, and Keyboard InputThe End of FileRedirection and FilesUnix, Linux, and Windows Command Prompt RedirectionCreating a Friendlier User InterfaceWorking with Buffered InputMixing Numeric and Character InputInput ValidationAnalyzing the ProgramThe Input Stream and NumbersMenu BrowsingTasksToward a Smoother ExecutionMixing Character and Numeric InputKey ConceptsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercises
9 Functions
Reviewing FunctionsCreating and Using a Simple FunctionAnalyzing the ProgramFunction ArgumentsDefining a Function with an Argument: Formal ParametersPrototyping a Function with ArgumentsCalling a Function with an Argument: Actual ArgumentsThe Black-Box ViewpointReturning a Value from a Function with returnFunction TypesANSI C Function PrototypingThe ProblemThe ANSI C SolutionNo Arguments and Unspecified ArgumentsHooray for PrototypesRecursionRecursion RevealedRecursion FundamentalsTail RecursionRecursion and ReversalRecursion Pros and ConsCompiling Programs with Two or More Source Code FilesUnixLinuxDOS Command-Line CompilersWindows and Apple IDE CompilersUsing Header FilesFinding Addresses: The & OperatorAltering Variables in the Calling FunctionPointers: A First LookThe Indirection Operator: *Declaring PointersUsing Pointers to Communicate Between FunctionsKey ConceptsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercises
10 Arrays and Pointers
ArraysInitializationDesignated Initializers (C99)Assigning Array ValuesArray BoundsSpecifying an Array SizeMultidimensional ArraysInitializing a Two-Dimensional ArrayMore DimensionsPointers and ArraysFunctions, Arrays, and PointersUsing Pointer ParametersComment: Pointers and ArraysPointer OperationsProtecting Array ContentsUsing const with Formal ParametersMore About constPointers and Multidimensional ArraysPointers to Multidimensional ArraysPointer CompatibilityFunctions and Multidimensional ArraysVariable-Length Arrays (VLAs)Compound LiteralsKey ConceptsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercises
11 Character Strings and String Functions
Representing Strings and String I/ODefining Strings Within a ProgramPointers and StringsString InputCreating SpaceThe Unfortunate gets() FunctionThe Alternatives to gets()The scanf() FunctionString OutputThe puts() FunctionThe fputs() FunctionThe printf() FunctionThe Do-It-Yourself OptionString FunctionsThe strlen() FunctionThe strcat() FunctionThe strncat() FunctionThe strcmp() FunctionThe strcpy() and strncpy() FunctionsThe sprintf() FunctionOther String FunctionsA String Example: Sorting StringsSorting Pointers Instead of StringsThe Selection Sort AlgorithmThe ctype.h Character Functions and StringsCommand-Line ArgumentsCommand-Line Arguments in Integrated EnvironmentsCommand-Line Arguments with the MacintoshString-to-Number ConversionsKey ConceptsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercises
12 Storage Classes, Linkage, and Memory Management
Storage ClassesScopeLinkageStorage DurationAutomatic VariablesRegister VariablesStatic Variables with Block ScopeStatic Variables with External LinkageStatic Variables with Internal LinkageMultiple FilesStorage-Class Specifier RoundupStorage Classes and FunctionsWhich Storage Class?A Random-Number Function and a Static VariableRoll ’EmAllocated Memory: malloc() and free()The Importance of free()The calloc() FunctionDynamic Memory Allocation and Variable-Length ArraysStorage Classes and Dynamic Memory AllocationANSI C Type QualifiersThe const Type QualifierThe volatile Type QualifierThe restrict Type QualifierThe _Atomic Type Qualifier (C11)New Places for Old KeywordsKey ConceptsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercises
13 File Input/Output
Communicating with FilesWhat Is a File?The Text Mode and the Binary ModeLevels of I/OStandard FilesStandard I/OChecking for Command-Line ArgumentsThe fopen() FunctionThe getc() and putc() FunctionsEnd-of-FileThe fclose() FunctionPointers to the Standard FilesA Simple-Minded File-Condensing ProgramFile I/O: fprintf(), fscanf(), fgets(), and fputs()The fprintf() and fscanf() FunctionsThe fgets() and fputs() FunctionsAdventures in Random Access: fseek() and ftell()How fseek() and ftell() WorkBinary Versus Text ModePortabilityThe fgetpos() and fsetpos() FunctionsBehind the Scenes with Standard I/OOther Standard I/O FunctionsThe int ungetc(int c, FILE *fp) FunctionThe int fflush() FunctionThe int setvbuf() FunctionBinary I/O: fread() and fwrite()The size_t fwrite() FunctionThe size_t fread() FunctionThe int feof(FILE *fp) and int ferror(FILE *fp) FunctionsAn fread() and fwrite() ExampleRandom Access with Binary I/OKey ConceptsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercises
14 Structures and Other Data Forms
Sample Problem: Creating an Inventory of BooksSetting Up the Structure DeclarationDefining a Structure VariableInitializing a StructureGaining Access to Structure MembersInitializers for StructuresArrays of StructuresDeclaring an Array of StructuresIdentifying Members of an Array of StructuresProgram DiscussionNested StructuresPointers to StructuresDeclaring and Initializing a Structure PointerMember Access by PointerTelling Functions About StructuresPassing Structure MembersUsing the Structure AddressPassing a Structure as an ArgumentMore on Structure FeaturesStructures or Pointer to Structures?Character Arrays or Character Pointers in a StructureStructure, Pointers, and malloc()Compound Literals and Structures (C99)Flexible Array Members (C99)Anonymous Structures (C11)Functions Using an Array of StructuresSaving the Structure Contents in a FileA Structure-Saving ExampleProgram PointsStructures: What Next?Unions: A Quick LookUsing UnionsAnonymous Unions (C11)Enumerated Typesenum ConstantsDefault ValuesAssigned Valuesenum UsageShared Namespacestypedef: A Quick LookFancy DeclarationsFunctions and PointersKey ConceptsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercises
15 Bit Fiddling
Binary Numbers, Bits, and BytesBinary IntegersSigned IntegersBinary Floating PointOther Number BasesOctalHexadecimalC’s Bitwise OperatorsBitwise Logical OperatorsUsage: MasksUsage: Turning Bits On (Setting Bits)Usage: Turning Bits Off (Clearing Bits)Usage: Toggling BitsUsage: Checking the Value of a BitBitwise Shift OperatorsProgramming ExampleAnother ExampleBit FieldsBit-Field ExampleBit Fields and Bitwise OperatorsAlignment Features (C11)Key ConceptsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercises
16 The C Preprocessor and the C Library
First Steps in Translating a ProgramManifest Constants: #defineTokensRedefining ConstantsUsing Arguments with #defineCreating Strings from Macro Arguments: The # OperatorPreprocessor Glue: The ## OperatorVariadic Macros: ... and __VA_ARGS__Macro or Function?File Inclusion: #includeHeader Files: An ExampleUses for Header FilesOther DirectivesThe #undef DirectiveBeing Defined—The C Preprocessor PerspectiveConditional CompilationPredefined Macros#line and #error#pragmaGeneric Selection (C11)Inline Functions (C99)_Noreturn Functions (C11)The C LibraryGaining Access to the C LibraryUsing the Library DescriptionsThe Math LibraryA Little TrigonometryType VariantsThe tgmath.h Library (C99)The General Utilities LibraryThe exit() and atexit() FunctionsThe qsort() FunctionThe Assert LibraryUsing assert_Static_assert (C11)memcpy() and memmove() from the string.h LibraryVariable Arguments: stdarg.hKey ConceptsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercises
17 Advanced Data Representation
Exploring Data RepresentationBeyond the Array to the Linked ListUsing a Linked ListAfterthoughtsAbstract Data Types (ADTs)Getting AbstractBuilding an InterfaceUsing the InterfaceImplementing the InterfaceGetting Queued with an ADTDefining the Queue Abstract Data TypeDefining an InterfaceImplementing the Interface Data RepresentationTesting the QueueSimulating with a QueueThe Linked List Versus the ArrayBinary Search TreesA Binary Tree ADTThe Binary Search Tree InterfaceThe Binary Tree ImplementationTrying the TreeTree ThoughtsOther DirectionsKey ConceptsSummaryReview QuestionsProgramming Exercises
A Answers to the Review Questions
Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 1Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 2Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 3Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 4Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 5Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 6Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 7Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 8Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 9Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 10Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 11Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 12Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 13Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 14Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 15Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 16Answers to Review Questions for Chapter 17
B Reference Section
Section I: Additional ReadingOnline ResourcesC Language BooksProgramming BooksReference BooksC++ BooksSection II: C OperatorsArithmetic OperatorsRelational OperatorsAssignment OperatorsLogical OperatorsThe Conditional OperatorPointer-Related OperatorsSign OperatorsStructure and Union OperatorsBitwise OperatorsMiscellaneous OperatorsSection III: Basic Types and Storage ClassesSummary: The Basic Data TypesSummary: How to Declare a Simple VariableSummary: QualifiersSection IV: Expressions, Statements, and Program FlowSummary: Expressions and StatementsSummary: The while StatementSummary: The for StatementSummary: The do while StatementSummary: Using if Statements for Making ChoicesSummary: Multiple Choice with switchSummary: Program JumpsSection V: The Standard ANSI C Library with C99 and C11 AdditionsDiagnostics: assert.hComplex Numbers: complex.h (C99)Character Handling: ctype.hError Reporting: errno.hFloating-Point Environment: fenv.h (C99)Floating-point Characteristics: float.hFormat Conversion of Integer Types: inttypes.h (C99)Alternative Spellings: iso646.hLocalization: locale.hMath Library: math.hNon-Local Jumps: setjmp.hSignal Handling: signal.hAlignment: stdalign.h (C11)Variable Arguments: stdarg.hAtomics Support: stdatomic.h (C11)Boolean Support: stdbool.h (C99)Common Definitions: stddef.hInteger Types: stdint.hStandard I/O Library: stdio.hGeneral Utilities: stdlib.h_Noreturn: stdnoreturn.hString Handling: string.hType-Generic Math: tgmath.h (C99)Threads: threads.h (C11)Date and Time: time.hUnicode Utilities: uchar.h (C11)Extended Multibyte and Wide-Character Utilities: wchar.h (C99)Wide Character Classification and Mapping Utilities: wctype.h (C99)Section VI: Extended Integer TypesExact-Width TypesMinimum-Width TypesFastest Minimum-Width TypesMaximum-Width TypesIntegers That Can Hold Pointer ValuesExtended Integer ConstantsSection VII: Expanded Character SupportTrigraph SequencesDigraphsAlternative Spellings: iso646.hMultibyte CharactersUniversal Character Names (UCNs)Wide CharactersWide Characters and Multibyte CharactersSection VIII: C99/C11 Numeric Computational EnhancementsThe IEC Floating-Point StandardThe fenv.h Header FileThe STDC FP_CONTRACT PragmaAdditions to the math.h LibrarySupport for Complex NumbersSection IX: Differences Between C and C++Function Prototypeschar ConstantsThe const ModifierStructures and UnionsEnumerationsPointer-to-voidBoolean TypesAlternative SpellingsWide-Character SupportComplex TypesInline FunctionsC99/11 Features Not Found in C++11
Index

Content preview from C Primer Plus, Sixth Edition

Preface

C was a relatively little-known language when the first edition of C Primer Plus appeared in 1984. Since then, the language has boomed, and many people have learned C with the help of this book. In fact, C Primer Plus throughout its various editions has sold over 550,000 copies.

As the language has grown from the early informal K&R standard through the 1990 ISO/ANSI standard through the 1999 ISO/ANSI standard to the 2011 ISO/IEC standard, so has this book matured through this, the sixth edition. As with all the editions, my aim has been to create an introduction to C that is instructive, clear, and helpful.

Approach and Goals

My goal is for this book to serve as a friendly, easy-to-use, self-study guide. To accomplish that objective, ...

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.

Read now

Unlock full access

More than 5,000 organizations count on O’Reilly

O’Reilly covers everything we've got, with content to help us build a world-class technology community, upgrade the capabilities and competencies of our teams, and improve overall team performance as well as their engagement.

Julian F.

Head of Cybersecurity

I wanted to learn C and C++, but it didn't click for me until I picked up an O'Reilly book. When I went on the O’Reilly platform, I was astonished to find all the books there, plus live events and sandboxes so you could play around with the technology.

Addison B.

Field Engineer

I’ve been on the O’Reilly platform for more than eight years. I use a couple of learning platforms, but I'm on O'Reilly more than anybody else. When you're there, you start learning. I'm never disappointed.

Amir M.

Data Platform Tech Lead

I'm always learning. So when I got on to O'Reilly, I was like a kid in a candy store. There are playlists. There are answers. There's on-demand training. It's worth its weight in gold, in terms of what it allows me to do.

Mark W.

Embedded Software Engineer

Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9780133432398Purchase book

Cloud Computing

Data Engineering

Data Science

AI & ML

Programming Languages

Software Architecture

IT/Ops

Security

Design

Business

Soft Skills

C Primer Plus, Sixth Edition

by Stephen Prata