[Cialug] Learning the 'C' language

[Brendon J. Colby]

> Tad Anhalt wrote:
>
> Good stuff - I just can't resist the temptation to amplify one some of
> Tad's suggestions.
>

Wow what a great thread. I'm definitely going to save this info. I've
always wanted to learn C, but I've never found any projects in my
professional or personal life where C made sense. I learn best when I have
a project to work on, rather than doing "hello world" examples ad nauseum
(i.e. the worthless college class I took). I just haven't found anything
that Python, Perl, or PHP couldn't handle.

I didn't see the O'Reilly book "Practical C Programming" mentioned. I
think this is an amazing beginner to intermediate C book. I have the "old
testament" and its very expensive answer book as well. :) Most other books
seem to be too advanced or too beginner.

One thing I saw mentioned was "unit testing." As a (relatively new) python
programmer, I've begun writing my code with unit testing in mind i.e.
writing the unit tests before I write the function, testing returns for
every possible input and output scenario I can think of. I think this is a
very wise thing to do (testing input output scenarios at least, whether
before or after writing functions). This way any time I change something
my unit test will (hopefully) tell me if I messed something up.

Also I'd like emphasize 'Learn how the obfuscated and/or "efficient"
and/or "mind blowing" code works, don't be tempted to use it in production
code.' I really despise "cute" code and/or comments. I think straight
forward, easily readable and self-documenting approaches are far more
beneficial in the long run. I tend to be quite methodical and machine like
when I code, even in the  comments, and stay away from the "mind blowing"
and the "cute." Although I do like making perl do as much as possible in
one line...

Thanks for all the links and pointers everyone. This is really great info.

Brendon