Rating: 
Summary: Classic
Review: I've recently re-read this after several years. If you have a serious programming language under your belt (and Visual Basic doesn't fall under that heading), this slim volume may well be the only book on C that you will ever need. There are numerous examples and exercises throughout the book. There are also suggestions and examples of sensible coding standards.The book begins with a brief, thirty page tutorial on core C functionality. What's surprising is that by the end of this chapter, one can write moderately interesting C programs. Following chapters cover various areas in more depth. For example, the sixth chapter covers pointers and arrays. This is an area that many new programmers find difficult. The authors provide a lucid, detailed discussion and an algorithm written in C for understanding complex declarations like: char (*(*x[3])())[5]; That is, x is an array[3] of pointer to function returning pointer to array[5] of char. Of course, one would rarely see such a declaration in practice, but it is important to be able to understand such declarations. The standard library is used throughout and is summarized in an appendix. Some of the examples and exercises indicate how some standard library functions might be written in C. As the authors say, "C has proven to be an extremely effective and expressive language for a wide variety of programming applications." This book is an excellent learning source and reference on C.
Rating:
Summary: A Programming Classic
Review: With more than 30 years under its belt, the C programming language still remains one of the most important computer languages to date. Languages like Perl and Java might have secured permanent niches in certain areas of programming, but one must keep in mind that they their own compilers were written in C languages, and both use structures and styles derived from C. In short, this book is a classic in the field of computer programming, but it is no less relevant today. Kernigham and Ritchie start the reader from the very beginning with discussions of variables and functions, and keep their discussion of C in very stripped down and simple terms. Using C libraries can get you very far these days as a programmer, but if you want to know how those functions work, you will enjoy a very nice introduction in this book. You will make your own functions like strcat, atoi and so on using the most basic C commands. This approach to programming really helps the new programmer think for themselves. I also like the problems and questions throughout the book. Kernigham and Ritchie definitely want the reader to be actively learning C and not just be a passive reader. In short, this book is an excellent starting point for someone wanting to learn C, or for someone who is starting out in programming. Its also a classic that should definitely be on any career programmer's shelf.
Rating:
Summary: pick it up
Review: I bought this book a few years back as a first book on C programming. I heard this book was by the smart guys that wrote the language, and I was going to get it straight from the source. I had one problem though; I couldn't handle the info. At that time I got discouraged 1/3 of the way through the introductory chapter and put it down. I didn't pick it up again until a couple of weeks ago. Having since read another introductory text on C, I can understand this book now. Now that I can understand it, I enjoy and appreciate the elegant clarity of the concise writing style. It's a great second or third book on C. It provides the foundations necessary to advance to the intermediate programming level and beyond. This book is very condensed. Although it's short, it's not a book most of us will read very fast. It's quite different from most modern books on programming. Still, it's quite digestible if you've had a good introduction to C and programming in general. For me, this book filled in all the nagging little questions left by other introductory books. The index is excellent and useful. I cannot overstate how much a good index is worth in a book like this. Appendix A, which is a reference manual for the language is also excellent. Although the book is dated, its effectiveness is not hindered by time. It covers the language backwards and forewards with absolute clarity. If you really want to know C, I suggest picking up this book after an introductory text. I know that the information in this book will save me from hours of frustrating beginner mistakes. I think I'm ready to move on to Stevens now.
Rating:
Summary: stupid newbs...
Review: hey u! yes u! im talking to u, the newb that tries to learn the deep language of c. Do not get this book unless you have some programming experience. Don't even try coming near c until you have at least learned basic, or some python, and even java (if ur really into oop). Anyways... if you don't know much bout programming then i wouldn't recommend even trying c. c goes into many deep concepts, and bugs that you may not understand at first. so besides that, i thought this book was excellent. It does a great way of explaining things, and it's just ansi c. so this book is good to start out with learning bout c if ur willing to try.(not newbs that is).
Rating:
Summary: Great book, worth to spend money on
Review: I love this book. It's my main source for C language solution, and it's great to use as reference. Very straight forward and easy to use. While the code is written in a little bit old fashioned way, it's still the best C book around.
Rating: 
Summary: Very strange but enjoyable
Review: This is one of those books that is put aside on the shelf once you just start reading. One year later, you come back and have a go at it once more. Only this time you pause and think what a great book this has always been and you'd wish you had read it earlier. Secondly alot of people here say this is *the* book for beginners. In my honest opinion, this is not so. It's way too technical for beginners to programming. My suggestion is that if you have any academic or professional background with C or any other language, then this book will serve you well. Otherwise don't buy this book, you will simply get lost. Read some good intro books on C which don't go into details. Once you get your feet wet, go ahead and buy this book. You will enjoy it. There is a mis-paragraphing in the sections in chapter 5 where they are discussing the method alloc(). The value returned in the method code and the discussion of what the method returns is inconsistent. The discussion could have been put in better words. Overall this is a very good book. A must have for serious C programmers. I would advise you to read the code *before* you read the discussion, it will help you undertsand better, especially if you like learning by example, otherwise, do as you please. I am not a fan of huge 500-1000 page books on Computers. This book beats them all, well done K&R. Enjoy your read on this one when you buy it. Cheers
Rating:
Summary: You're not a programmer...
Review: ...unless you've read this book!
Simple, quick, to the point, and easy to refer to in the thick of battle. The only C book one ever needs! Ever!
Rating:
Summary: Practical, informative and fun
Review: This is a compact book with a lot of kick. The authors are experts in their field. There are no paddings of fluff or handholding. Writing is intelligent and concise. Information flows from chapter to chapter with clear purpose. The examples are excellent, focusing on essential problems all programmers go through one time or another. These days I don't program in C much but rather use a more higher level language like Python,Perl,Java,Ruby,etc. If you're like me and benefit from these wonderful languages or environments then this is the book to thank. Because chances are, those gifted programmers who wrote the languages you use everyday probably built the corner stones of their skillsets with this book.
Rating:
Summary: Nirvana of Programming Language Textbooks
Review: This is as good as it gets: concise, excellent examples, and the right form factor. The only negative I can offer is that the 1st edition was even better.
Rating:
Summary: Great book.
Review: Complete, yet concise, excellent index. Early on, the book patiently teaches you the language with examples, then, toward the end of the book, it describes the language concisely and precisely for the pro.
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