Product Description

For programmers interested in programming in C++ and the future of C.

This fourth edition of the bestselling C reference covers two important developments: the ISO C Amendment 1 (1994), which specifies new facilities for writing portable, international programs in C; and a discussion of how to write C programs that are compatible with C++.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #800827 in Books
• Published on: 1994-09-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

From the Back Cover

This best-selling, authoritative reference manual provides a complete description of the C language, the run-time libraries, and a style of C programming that empha_sizes correctness, portability, and maintainability.

Describing the C language more clearly and in more detail than any other book, authors Samuel P. Harbison and Guy L. Steele Jr. provide in a single manual:

• Standard C (1999) - the new revison of the C Standard supports complex and Boolean types, variable length arrays, precise floating-point programming, and new libraries for portability and internationalization.
• Standard C (1989)- the version of C used by most of today's programmers.
• Traditional C-common practice before 1990, with millions of lines of code in use every day.
• C++ compatible C-code that can be used as C or C++.
• The complete C run-time libraries for all C versions.

C: A Reference Manual is the only book that describes all the details of C-past and present. It is the single must-have reference for all C programmers and implementors.

Thoroughly revised and updated, the expanded Fifth Edition includes a complete description of the latest C Standard, ISO/IEC 9899:1999, with its powerful language extensions and new libraries.

New! Visit the Web site. www.CAReferenceManual.com contains source code for the longer examples in the book, expanded discussions on language issues, the latest ISO/IEC language corrigenda, and links to other C resources.

About the Author

From 1996-present Harbison led SDS infrastructure team and defined a software framework architecture across all TI DSPs and dev't tools, worked to make it fit with TI businesses, help negotiate alliances and acquisitions to make it happen. (Rollout and proudcts will appear in 1998.) Developed long-term vision in SDS and helped develop technology roadmaps. From 1995-96 as CTO Harbison set Tartan's technical direction. He defined and ran a new engineering organization and product development process that gave project managers more authority. He helped spearhead Tartan's long-term growth strategy by defining new products for C and Assembly programming on DSPs. Harbison managed the technical due diligence for TI merger. In 1992, he founded and directed the C/C++ Division, Tartan's first business unit and key to diversifying into commercial markets. Developed first PC-hosted products and first C++ product, for TI DSPs. Created a line of DSP math functions. Pioneered world-wide distribution channels using TI and 3rd parties. (Direct sales used elsewhere.)In 1990, Harbison founded a company, Pine Creek Software, funded by Digital Equipment Corp. to create a market for the Modula-3 programming language. Wrote the first Modula-3 textbook, exhibited at trade shows, wrote software, and published a newsletter. Still recognized as an authority, he was contracted by CRC in 1997 for a Modula-3 chapter in forthcoming Handbook of Object Technology.From 1982-1989, Harbison held various senior positions at Tartan, including Vice President. He led the software QA team & developed company-wide QA policies (1989). He managed several technology groups (1985-89). He was the project manager for Tartan's first commercial product (1984), and program manager for a contract with IBM to develop compilers for their RT PC (precursor to RS/6000). He designed and led development of Tartan's debugger (AdaScope). He developed the C compiler front end, and other internal tools (1981-1984). From 1980-82 Harbison was part of the SPICE research project at Carnegie-Mellon, which evangelized the concept of a "personal workstation" before most companies thought it was feasible. From 1974-80, he helped to develop the Hydra object-oriented, multiprocessor operating system, whose concepts were later used in the Intel 432 microprocessor.

Customer Reviews

A happy union of reference and pedagogy
This book has it all. To begin with, it modestly calls itself "C: A Reference Manual". They might as well come right out with it and say "C: The Reference Manual". If you have a question about C, it will be answered here. This is not the ordinary thick and heavy tome hastily cobbled together against a deadline, but a refreshing example of old-fashioned, obstinate dedication to quality. It is lean and terse; every line carries meaning, and you will be expected to pay attention. That is not much of an exaggeration; just about every single line in the book, with the possible exception of the page numbers, is important: The examples don't just repeat the obvious; they are well chosen to point up important points, and at the end of each chapter you will find exercises that are cleverly crafted to make you cry and say "How could I have missed that!". That is also why, although the book calls itself a reference manual, it is at the same time a lesson in pedagogy. A small warning, though, just for the sake of balance: the weak point of C is also the weak point of this book, if it has one. If you are thinking of buying it just because you want an authoritative source on C declarations, this could be what you want if you have a truly superior intellect - Harbison and Steele don't miss anything, and sure enough it is all here - but most of us will need another source on that particular subject before we realize that; a more hand-holding, tear-wiping sort of source. However, in summary: I was thinking just now of whether to add the line "This is the best book ever written on any subject.", but I decided against it, as I have not read all books.

Exact, concise, well written...
This is a very good reference for any programmer who needs to learn C specific rules and concepts. Suppose you are a C++ programmer and you want to quickly go through the details of C for your low-level programming need. This is exactly what you are looking for. If you are inexperienced or don't know how to program, this isn't useful, however. It is definitely not like an ANSI/ISO copy of C standards. Apart from C language specials, there's detailed explanation on C libraries and macros, c++ compatibility and general C utilities. One of the rare books I have bought without doubt.

Is this a copy of the ISO/ANSI draft?
Despite the rave reviews, I found this book rather dissapointing. It reads like the ISO/ANSI official language grammer, that is, JUST THE FACTS AND IN TECHNICAL TERMS ONLY, with very few examples of how to use the language constructs. If this is your only C reference, then your in for some long hours at the computer. I would only recommend this book if you have an additional C reference manual that shows examples of how to use a construct. This book only gives you the technical definition

for the construct i.e. parameters and return values along with unnecessary technical jargon in 90 percent of the book.

It is an ok REFERENCE book if you dont have the official ISO/ANSI C grammer lying around. But look elsewhere for how to use the grammer productions effectively!