Is K&R's "The C Programming Language" outdated?

frankie_DJ · 09-20-2006, 06:28 PM

I know this is a great book for someone who has already some experience in programming. But is it still valid, since it's been over 20 years since the 2nd edition? Or is it outdated? I I guess my concern is whether to invest my time in a great book which doesn't describe the current language. I know that there has been a revision of C in 1999. Thanks

jlliagre · 09-21-2006, 12:13 AM

Hmm, how can the "Bible of C" ever been outdated ?
The second edition, with the latest errata (dated 2004) http://cm.bell-labs.com/cm/cs/cbook/2ediffs.html is still a must have.

con · 09-21-2006, 04:02 AM

Depends on what you mean by some experience in programming. My first book on C was "Sams teach yourself C in 21 days" which was really good for me. I had some experience with python, downloaded one of the tutorials from the python site and learn the basics of programming from it. Dont think I could've learnt C from the K&R book at that point though (thou? which is it thou or though?), it was more usefull after STYC21D. Just my 5 cents...
EDIT: fixed typo

arg3t3k.senvx · 09-21-2006, 07:39 AM

For myself (excluding all other resources) going through K&R, a while
back, and very recently updating myself with OReilly's C in a Nutshell
has worked really well; it's first edition was published in Dec 2005.

Alongside succinct language coverage, its focus on C99 specifics and
the standard library coverage is the best I've seen so far.