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Done with C theory. Now what?

24 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/done-with-c-theory-now-what.92742/

cynosure
cynosure Original post #1
Jul 11, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Hi guys
Actually I have recently completed C theory from E.Balagurusamy (Tried all the programs too). Although I know its not a very good book but now I want to upgrade my skills and take them further.
Is the theory given in EBG complete in every aspect or there's something more to C which one should learn to become a professional coder?

And if theres something more to C then should I move into the advanced C territory or should I do a bit of more basic programming to get my fundas clear before moving into advanced C. What should I do, ?

And also tell me how to practice at this level. Most examples given are not of much quality.

Waiting for suggestions.
F
FilledVoid #2
Jul 11, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Do all the problems on Projecteuler.net.
rhitwick
Jul 11, 2008 at 11:39 AM
I'l suggest u to go through the "Let us c" book by Yashvant Kanetkar..........it has a lot of problems..........means exercises:D

Another book is "A Book on C" by Kelly-Pohol, just go through over it once c if its any of ur use.......

I c dat u want to become a geek in C :rolleyes: so if possible get a copy of "The Indispensable Guide to C" by Paul-Devis.........u'l come to know why I'm recommending it.

P.S. get a copy of "Exploring C" by yashvant kanetkar........u'l thank me......:D
Faun
Faun #4
Jul 11, 2008 at 11:48 AM
let us see by Yeshvant Kanetkar is the best way to ruin your skills.
T
Jul 11, 2008 at 11:53 AM
^^Let Us See :) . I thought It was Let Us C.
Faun
Faun #6
Jul 11, 2008 at 11:55 AM
^^see the very first thought of it ruined my writing skills too :p
rhitwick
Jul 11, 2008 at 11:59 AM
let us see by Yeshvant Kanetkar is the best way to ruin your skills.

^^see the very first thought of it ruined my writing skills too :p

I agree its not a good book to learn C, but its exercises are good..........he has already completed C theory(he told so) so he should look only for problems now........
For advanced knowledge my other recommendations are worth a consideration......:smile:
Faun
Faun #8
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:02 PM
^^ i prefer this one
*www.amazon.com/Puzzle-Book-Alan-R-Feuer/dp/0201604612

and for deeper knowledge
K & R

what is the output of:

x = (2,5);

Best way to learn c programming is to use GNU GCC compiler.
add -Wall and -pedantic before compiling.
MysticDews
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:10 PM
The best way to improve your programming skills is to apply them. Try doing a mini project, something like a real-world application.

Try making small applications like may be a library management app, a student grading and attendance recording system, some small text based game or something similar. Try to cover up as many concepts as possible in the code that you write. Like in the above applications, you can use different data structures, files, pointers, etc.

Another very good way is to go through the inbuilt help. You'll get to know all the functions, header files and what they do, their syntax and examples.

This should certainly help. All the best :)
A
amitgg #10
Jul 11, 2008 at 3:43 PM
how can you forget programmin in c (schaum series)
Sukhdeep Singh
Jul 11, 2008 at 4:12 PM
The best way to improve your programming skills is to apply them. Try doing a mini project, something like a real-world application.

Try making small applications like may be a library management app, a student grading and attendance recording system, some small text based game or something similar. Try to cover up as many concepts as possible in the code that you write. Like in the above applications, you can use different data structures, files, pointers, etc.

Another very good way is to go through the inbuilt help. You'll get to know all the functions, header files and what they do, their syntax and examples.

This should certainly help. All the best :)

+1
QwertyManiac
Jul 11, 2008 at 7:31 PM
I'd second Filled-Void's suggestion of solving mathematical and logical problems and also doing so on free online judges like UVa and SPOJ, etc.

Math is the best way to apply a newly learnt language's tools too.
cynosure
cynosure #13
Jul 11, 2008 at 8:20 PM
Thank you all for giving me links to euler, UVA and SPOJ. I will try to solve as many of them as possible. OK this was about solving maths puzzles, there was one more thing that I asked.

Is the theory given in EBG enough or theres more to C than given in that book.
QwertyManiac
Jul 11, 2008 at 9:09 PM
For having to do anything with C, reading the entire K&R's "The C Programming Language" is a must. Kapda and Roti as we Indians would say :)) But I guess all topics of those kind are covered in other books too, but their approach is the best.
praka123
praka123 #15
Jul 11, 2008 at 10:11 PM
^for non g33ks ,that book sure sounds greek :rolleyes:

I am relying on a expensive C for Dummies 2nd Edition (dan gookin) :!:
Sykora
Sykora #16
Jul 11, 2008 at 10:26 PM
If you're mathematically minded, go do projecteuler. Otherwise, do SPOJ/uVa. Those test more general programming skills rather than mathematical skills. Once you're done with that, and you're really inspired, go checkout the code of an open source project written in C, and see if you can help them out.
cynosure
cynosure #17
Jul 11, 2008 at 10:33 PM
@praka123: But "C for dummies" sounds like it was made for starters...but I have already covered quite a ground in the language.
A
Jul 12, 2008 at 9:19 AM
I would suggest devoloping some small games like tic tac toe. These games strengthen the logic and you need to use quite a lot of libraries and graphics to get them going. In short it is study with fun.
angermanagement
Jul 12, 2008 at 9:42 AM
@cynosure: true.In that case ,K&R will be just fine. :)
Nimda
Nimda #20
Jul 12, 2008 at 1:27 PM
For having to do anything with C, reading the entire K&R's "The C Programming Language" is a must. Kapda and Roti as we Indians would say :)) But I guess all topics of those kind are covered in other books too, but their approach is the best.
+1

@cynosure:
Don't forget to solve the exercises in K&R..

Regarding, practice, I'd recommend that you work on a couple of small projects (in C of course) and get used to the actual language and coding styles. And then, when you're comfortable converting your ideas to C code, pay a visit to Online Judge sites like UVa and SPOJ since these sites put a higher emphasis on problem solving skills and algorithmic knowledge than actual coding skills..

Oh and don't forget to read others' code! Reading code is as important as writing it..
cynosure
cynosure #21
Jul 14, 2008 at 11:23 PM
^ True. Uva and SPOJ put up quite difficult questions. I am unable to solve them right now. ProjectEuler is "somewhat" easy.

Will now try my hand on some small projects.
F
FilledVoid #22
Jul 14, 2008 at 11:45 PM
^ True. Uva and SPOJ put up quite difficult questions. I am unable to solve them right now. ProjectEuler is "somewhat" easy
Somewhat Easy? Just wait till you finish quite alot of them. Those questions are supposed to be solved in one minute. of course you might be able to pull off a brute force but solving them in one minute is what makes your skills better.
QwertyManiac
Jul 14, 2008 at 11:52 PM
With just basic C you wont get far, you will need to learn some GMP library stuff for huge number ranges.
cynosure
cynosure #24
Jul 15, 2008 at 9:50 AM
^TRue. BAsically I solved some puzzles of project euler using python(I know a lil bit) as C (whatever I know of it) does not support huge numbers .:D I thought this must be some default as even unsigned long long does not support really huge numbers.