I'm a Python/Julia developer starting to learn C. I have K&R already, and Test Driven Development for Embedded C (Grenning).
I did order 'Modern C' by Gustedt but the publisher never delivered to Waterstones so they had to cancel the order (about 6 months ago, book still unavailable from Waterstones as of today).
Contents are:
* How to identify and handle undefined behavior in a C program * The range and representations of integers and floating-point values * How integer promotions are performed and how they may affect portability
I think it's incredibly important to understand how numbers on computers work, what are the limits of 32bit and 64bit values and how double/floats play into it.
* The order of evaluation of expressions
Most coding styles avoid ambiguity by just using (enough parentheses) around (important statements).
* Dynamic memory allocation including the use of non-standard functions
Non-standard worries me here. Memory allocation isn't particularly
* The philosophy underlying the use of character types in C Character encodings and types
I'm curious as to what this is covering? Is it system specific?
* How to perform input/output (I/O) with terminals and file systems using C Standard Streams and POSIX file descriptors * The translation phases implemented by the C compiler and the role of the preprocessor * How to test, debug, and analyze C programs
IO is an interesting topic, but I suspect best covered by a systems programming manual. There's several unix books, Stevens being the goto guide historically, and I would go straight to the source instead.
>"You'll learn how to develop correct, portable, professional-quality code and build a foundation for developing security-critical and safety-critical systems."
So the stated aim of the book is to build a "foundation" from which you could then go on to digest and effectively use advanced things like the Stevens book.
Safety-critical and security-critical are interesting for an intro book. I'd like people to be aware, and conscious of of them. Anyways, we could debate this one. It really depends on how paranoid a beginner programmer becomes.
I learned from K&R, but highly recommend Seacord's books if you're looking for how to write secure C and a more modern take on some of the trickier parts of C.
K&R is a good reference, but not good for learning the language IMO.
1: I love Plum's books (starting with learning to program in C), but can't recommend them since the language has changed so much in the 37 years since it came out.