This authoritative reference manual provides a complete description of the C language, the run-time libraries, and a style of C programming that emphasizes correctness, portability, and maintainability. The authors describe the C language more clearly and in more detail than in any other book.
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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.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
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.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By "unixlover"
Format:Paperback
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.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Mark R. Bannister
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
As a UNIX programmer, I have found Harbison and Steele's reference manual to be the perfect example of what should comprise a good reference. It provides a complete and precise description of the C programming language, from lexical structure, through the pre-processor, program layout and syntax right up to accurate and precise descriptions of the Standard C libraries. By taking a bottom-up approach, it is logical, thorough, and easy to navigate.
The book is methodical in its comparisons between the different C dialects, and in providing excellent cross-references and examples throughout. I personally found the syntactic descriptions of more use than that of the runtime libraries, because I have good online manual pages on UNIX that already describe the libraries thoroughly - although it must be said, not with such good examples.
The authors also treat you as an intelligent adult, rather than a student who needs to be hand-held and bottle-fed. I much prefer this approach in a technical book, you know you're being told everything, nothing held back, no detail missed, and you can decide for yourself what is and is not relevant to you.
This is far and away the best C reference manual on the market, but be warned, it is not for the beginner! You can't teach yourself C with this book, but it will certainly hold the answer to almost any question on the language you can think of, and enable an intermediate C programmer to fully hone his or her skills. No self-respecting C programmer should be without this gem.
The book is methodical in its comparisons between the different C dialects, and in providing excellent cross-references and examples throughout. I personally found the syntactic descriptions of more use than that of the runtime libraries, because I have good online manual pages on UNIX that already describe the libraries thoroughly - although it must be said, not with such good examples.
The authors also treat you as an intelligent adult, rather than a student who needs to be hand-held and bottle-fed. I much prefer this approach in a technical book, you know you're being told everything, nothing held back, no detail missed, and you can decide for yourself what is and is not relevant to you.
This is far and away the best C reference manual on the market, but be warned, it is not for the beginner! You can't teach yourself C with this book, but it will certainly hold the answer to almost any question on the language you can think of, and enable an intermediate C programmer to fully hone his or her skills. No self-respecting C programmer should be without this gem.
Format:Paperback
Concise, well-ordered reference book. Deals with the multiple flavours of C. Invaluable for those who have portability across versions as a concern. About 1/5th of the size of "The C standard" but I find it has 95% of the information, and that I can find it 200% quicker.
By Topjob
Format:Paperback
As a C programmer I found this book very useful at every stage of my academic studies. The book overviews all the topics in ANSI standard in a systematic way. Every topic in C programming language is explained without going into every detail of the language; rather focuses on the ANSI C libraries and functions. This book is not a good resource for beginners. However exprienced C programmers may find it very useful when trying to find a function, for example, to carry out a specific task. In other words, it provides easy way of understaning the concept of each C Library.
However, C++ concepts are missing in this book. A newer version should provide new concepts like new ANSI C/C++ standards and Object-oriented programming using C++.
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
C is my language of preference and whilst looking for a good ANSI reference I came across this book.
In my opinion this is the best. I use C professionally and not only is this book a great reference to the modern ANSI standard BUT also has along side ANSI syntax traditional syntax. This allows for easy translation.
In three words BUY THIS BOOK. It never leaves my side and is in constant use as both a reference AND to settle arguments on format.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
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... Read more
Published on 4 Nov 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best C reference book available.
This book is great. It is well organized, extremely accurate, and covers every case that can occur in the C language. Ever wonder what happens if ... Read more
Published on 6 July 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best. Period.
After an introductory course on C, this is the only book you ever need for anything in C and is actually fun to read. Read more
Published on 21 Mar 1997
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent reference for any C programmer
This book is the best quick reference for looking up functions, include files and the like. I recommended it to the serious C-philes in my programming class last quarter.
Published on 29 Jan 1997
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highest praise I can give - my copy is wearing out.
C programmers do it with small tools, and this relatively
small book is the best reference a programmer could have. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 1997
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good reference book on ANSI C; many examples
This is a good reference on ANSI standard C, although I wouldn't try
to start learning the language from it. Read more
to start learning the language from it. Read more
Published on 28 July 1995
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