Introduction:
Title: Let us C.
Edition: Fourth.
Author: Yashwant Kanetkar
Publisher: BPB Pub.
Price: Rs.162/-
When I had “C” language in my course, I referred 2 books. I somehow found Let us C more easier to read and understand becoz of the simple, yet deep explanations
The book has 24 Chapters having about 820 pgs. Let me throw some light on the chapters it has:
Ch.1: Getting Started
As the name suggests the Chapter basically deals with the detailing of development and evolution of C. moreover it also gives an overview of the C character set along with the rules which are to be followed while the declaration of datatypes in C. finally as usual with any technical book the first simple C program is given with the explanation. At the end of the Chapter, summary with a host of various examples are given which are to be solved by the user.
Ch.2:The Decision Control Structure
This Chapter basically deals with “if” statement in C which is useful to take certain decisions on the basis of certain conditions. The syntax, guidelines of how to write programs using “if” statement are explained in this Chapter along with the use of Logical operators. Actually operators in C are not explained in a different Chapter in this book. They are basically explained when they are encountered which is useful sometimes and a certain operator is to be referred then index has been searched which is somewhat time-consuming.
Ch.3:The Loop Control Structure
Consists of explanations of “for” loop, the break, continue statement and the “do-while” loops with numerous examples which makes the concepts of looping very easier to understand.
Ch.4:The Case Control Structure
In this Chapter the leftovers which form the loop concepts in C i.e. goto and switch statements are discussed here. I must say goto and switch are better explained in Let us C compared to Balagurusamy’s book.
Ch.5:Functions
This Chapter deals with the declaration and explanation of concepts of Functions in C. It also explains how to add user-defined functions into the C library so that others can use it too.
Ch.6:DataTypes Revisited
This Ch. basically elaborates the datatypes which were explained in Chapter1. It also explains the storage classes in C and their use according to the requisite condition.
Ch.7: The C Preprocessor
This Chapter explains the features of C preprocessor and its utility. It also includes the explanation of Macros (with arguments and functions) and the #if and #elif alongwith #undef and #pragma directives.
Ch.8: Arrays
Well I thought Arrays should have been explained after functions itself but the author has explained the C preprocessor be4. Anyways this Chapter explains everything about Arrays in C starting with single to multidimensional arrays, passing values, functions to arrays, how arrays are organized in the memory etc. it also explains the use of pointers with arrays. One major drawback of this book is that the concept of pointers has been explained with less examples. The author has not devoted a compete Chapter for pointers but has explained pointers at different places in the book.
Ch.9:Pupetting on Strings
The Chapter explains everything about strings rite from the scratch. The language and simplicity used to explain strings in worth mentioning. Pointers and their links and operations with strings are explained in this Chapter.
Ch.10:Structures
The Chapter basically deals with the use of structures in C. Why structures are needed, how are they declared and used in C is explained here alongwith examples.
Ch.11:I/O in C
A very good explanation of the various input and output operations in C language is given in this Chapter. Various disk I/O functions are explained alongwith the error detection and managing input and output operations.
Well the author now relaxes the reader from C language and gives a brief idea of various components present inside the PC. The following few Chapters deal with these concepts
Ch.12:Fundamental Computer Concepts
Well this Chapter explains what is inside a CPU. Pretty good explanations are given for the student who are new to computers and want to know what is there in the CPU of the PC.
Ch.13: Disk Basics
All u need to know about various disk starting from their structure to various types of disks is all explained in this Chapter.
Ch.14:Operating System Fundamentals
The Chapter explains the fundas of DOS and some explanations of Windows OS are given here too.
Ch.15:VDU Basics
As the name suggests this Chapter deals with monitors. Well before I read this Chapter I thought that I knew many things about monitor but reading this Chapter has really enhanced my knowledge about monitors although only basics of VDU’s have been explained and not the current trends in PC monitors but this Chapter is worth reading.
Ch.16:Keyboard basics
This Chapter explains the fundas of Keyboard. A 10 page explanations of Keyboards is given.
Back on track with C now:(Advanced Concepts)
Ch.17:Interaction With Hardware Through C
This Chapter deals with communicating with the different hardware ports thorough programming with C. Well I feel interacting with Hardware with C is a pretty tough ask and more exposure is required if we want to have a complete control in this area of C.
Ch.18:Operation on Bits
This Chapter basically deals with all the bitwise operations in C. Complements, left, right shift etc. are all explained in this Chapter alongwith various examples.
Ch.19:The Leftovers
Pointers with functions, enumerated datatype, renaming datatypes and the concepts of typecasting are explained in this chapter.
Ch.20:Graphics Programming
This chapter deals with the use of graphics in C. The concepts are explained in a very simple yet effective manner. Animation in C is also taught in this chapter. A must read.
Ch.21:Mouse Programming
Drawing with Mouse, building diff. cursors etc. has been taught in this chapter. I haven’t really read this chapter and hence I cannot give much information to u.
Ch.22: C and Assembly
This chapter basically deals with Assembly language programming with C. Some brief programming concepts are taught in this chapter.
Ch.23: Additional Problems
This chapter has a host or problems in C about each and every concept in C. Solve these problems and gain complete mastery over C. But the solutions are not given only questions are given.
Ch.24:Last Word
This chapter has various appendices. There are 7 appendixes which are: Precedence table, Standard Library Functions, Creating Libraries, Chasing the bugs, Hexadecimal Numbering, ASCII chart and Addressing Scheme of 8086. My favorite appendixes are Standard Library Functions and Chasing the bugs. At the end of the book as usual and Index is given for ready reference.
Conclusion :
Well a very cheap and very useful book. Simplicity is the key of the book and that is why I found it very useful while referring it and so will u too.
