C Programming

Introduction

• Why the C Language?
• The C Programming For Dummies Approach
• How This Course Works
• Icons Used in This Course

A Quick Start for the Impatient

• What You Need to Program
• Command Prompt Programming
• IDE Programming
• Your First Program

The Programming Thing

• The History of Programming
• The Programming Process

Anatomy of C

• Parts of the C Language
• Behold the Typical C Program

Trials and Errors

• Display Stuff on the Screen
• More Text Output Nonsense

Values and Simple Math

• A Venue for Various Values
• The Computer Does the Math

A Place to Put Stuff

• Values That Vary
• Variable Madness!
• Constants Always the Same

Input and Output

• Character I/O
• Text I/O, but Mostly I

Decision Making

• What If?
• Multiple Decisions
• Multiple Comparisons with Logic
• The Old Switch Case Trick
• The Weird ?: Decision Thing

Loops, Loops, Loops

• A Little Déjà Vu
• The Thrill of for Loops
• The Joy of the while Loop
• Loopy Stuff

Fun with Functions

• Anatomy of a Function
• Functions and Variables
• Constants of the Global Kind

The Unavoidable Math Lesson

• Math Operators from Beyond Infinity
• Math Function Mania
• It’s Totally Random
• The Holy Order of Precedence

Give Me Arrays

• Behold the Array
• Multidimensional Arrays
• Arrays and Functions

Fun with Text

• Character Manipulation Functions
• String Functions Galore
• Fun with printf() Formatting
• Gently Down the Stream

Structures, the Multivariable

• Hello, Structure
• Weird Structure Concepts

Life at the Command Prompt

• Conjure a Terminal Window
• Arguments for the main() Function
• Time to Bail

Variable Nonsense

• Variable Control
• Variables, Variables Everywhere

Binary Mania

• Binary Basics
• Bit Manipulation
• The Joy of Hex

Introduction to Pointers

• The Biggest Problem with Pointers
• Sizing Up Variable Storage
• The Hideously Complex Topic of Pointers

Deep into Pointer Land

• Pointers and Arrays
• Strings Are Pointer-Things
• Pointers in Functions

Memory Chunks and Linked Lists

• Give Me Memory!
• Lists That Link

It’s About Time

• What Time Is It?
• Time to Program

Permanent Storage Functions

• Sequential File Access
• Random File Access

File Management

• Directory Madness
• Fun with Files

Beyond Mere Mortal Projects

• The Multi-Module Monster
• Other Libraries to Link

Out, Bugs!

• Simple Tricks to Resolve Problems
• The Debugger
• Improved Error Messages

Ten Common Boo-Boos

• Conditional Foul-Ups
• == v. =
• Dangerous Loop Semicolons
• Commas in for Loops
• Missing break in a switch Structure
• Missing Parentheses and Curly Brackets
• Don’t Ignore a Warning
• Endless Loops
• scanf() Blunders
• Streaming Input Restrictions

Ten Reminders and Suggestions

• Maintain Good Posture
• Use Creative Names
• Write a Function
• Work on Your Code a Little Bit at a Time
• Break Apart Larger Projects into Several Modules
• Know What a Pointer Is
• Add Whitespace before Condensing
• Know When if-else Becomes switch-case
• Remember Assignment Operators
• When You Get Stuck, Read Your Code Out Loud

Appendix A: ASCII Codes

Appendix B: Keywords

Appendix C: Operators

Appendix D: Data Types

Appendix E: Escape Sequences

Appendix F: Conversion Characters

Appendix G: Order of Precedence