Message-Id: <3.0.1.16.19980712093920.1c179cfc@shadow.net>
Date: Sun, 12 Jul 1998 09:39:20
To: djgpp AT delorie DOT com
From: Ralph Proctor <ralphgpr AT shadow DOT net>
Subject: Newbie Books
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Mr York of york AT newbies DOT net said --

"Your best bet would be getting a book. My personal favorites on the C
programming language are Teach Yourself C Programming in 21 Days,
which is an international bestseller and in my opinion the most
easy-going C book out there......"

Yes, yes, I love this book--it's huge and takes you right through. But
there is another way of looking at
being a newbie: Suppose you have never used and know NOTHING about
compilers. Sure, you could
start with DGJPP, it's easy to get the hang of it. But if you're a bit
nervous, I would suggest you get a
copy of "Type & Learn C" by Tom Swan, $34.95. YOU GET A COMPILER (TCLITE)
free with the
book on 3-1/2" disk. It is a limited version of Turbo C--the executables do
no stand alone--but it is
completely independent and very easy to use. Tom Swan as a good writer. I
like his book. Of course, 
I like "21 Days" much better.

As soon as you can afford it you must get:

"The C Programming Language", 2nd edtion, by Kernighan & Ritchie and also
its companion
"The C Answer Book" by Tondo @ Gimpel

"K & R" IS A TUTORIAL!!. A darn good one too. But we're talking 60 or 70
dollars for both of these.
I think I paid 35 for each at Barnes & Noble

I have all the above and more, but these are the ones I love.

And don't let the title "Type & Learn C" get you all bent out as it did one
reviewer.

Not one syllable of the above is to be taken as if DJGPP is not my favorite
compiler--it is, but TCLITE
was my introduction to the Borland approach.

Ralph (and advanced newbie about ready to graduate to beginner)