C is one of the most popular Programming languages in the world. According to Stack Overflow’s developer survey in 2017, most developers use C as their main language. At least 45% of “professional developers” use C in their daily professional development. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that C will be one of the most popular languages in 2023.

Moreover, if you are a programmer then you need to be fluent in C. But, how do you learn C programming if you don’t know it? The answer is to read a C programming Book. Here are the 15 best C programming books to read in 2023.

What is C Programming Language?

C is a general-purpose programming language that was developed in the early 1970s by Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs. It is widely used for system programming, embedded systems, and application development, and is known for its efficiency, portability, and low-level programming capabilities. C has influenced many other programming languages and is still widely used today.

C is widely used for system programming, embedded systems, and application development, and has influenced many other programming languages. It is still widely used today and is often taught as a first language to computer science students due to its simplicity and foundational concepts.

Also Read: Uses of C

How and Where Do I Start Learning C programming?

There are several ways to start learning C programming. Here are some steps you can follow:

• Familiarize yourself with the basic concepts of programming, such as variables, data types, control structures, and functions.

• Choose a good learning resource, such as a book, online course, or tutorial, that is designed for beginners and covers the fundamentals of C programming.

• Install a C compiler on your computer, such as GCC or Clang, and use it to practice writing and compiling simple programs.

• Start with small programs and gradually increase the complexity of your projects as you gain more experience.

• Join online programming communities, such as forums or social media groups, where you can ask questions and get feedback from other programmers.

• Practice regularly and persistently, and try to apply what you learn to real-world problems.

C Programming Books for All Level 

Here are some best books for C programming:

C Programming Books for Beginners

1. C Programming Absolute Beginner’s Guide

Author: Greg Perry and Dean Miller

“C Programming Absolute Beginner’s Guide” is a book by Greg Perry and Dean Miller. It is designed to teach the fundamentals of C programming to beginners with no prior programming experience. The book covers basic programming concepts such as variables, data types, control structures, functions, arrays, and pointers, as well as more advanced topics such as file handling, data structures, and dynamic memory allocation.

Moreover, this book is a popular resource for learning C programming, and is recommended for beginners who want to learn C programming from scratch.

2. C: The Complete Reference

Author: Herbert Schildt

“C: The Complete Reference” is a book by Herbert Schildt that provides a comprehensive guide to the C programming language. The book covers the C language syntax, data types, control structures, functions, arrays, pointers, structures, file handling, and other advanced topics such as memory allocation, the preprocessor, and debugging.

The book is organized into clear, concise chapters with examples and explanations that are easy to follow, and includes quizzes and exercises to test and reinforce the concepts learned. It also includes an appendix with a complete reference to the C language library.

3. C Programming in easy steps, 5th Edition

Author: Mike McGrath

“C Programming in easy steps, 5th Edition” is a book by Mike McGrath that is designed to teach the fundamentals of C programming to beginners in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. The book covers basic programming concepts such as variables, data types, control structures, functions, arrays, and pointers, as well as more advanced topics such as file handling and dynamic memory allocation.

Moreover, this is one of the recommended C programming books for beginners who want to learn C programming from scratch. It is known for its clear writing style, concise explanations, and practical examples.

4. C Programming Language

Author: Brain W. Kernighan

“The C Programming Language” is a book by Brian W. Kernighan and Dennis M. Ritchie, who are the creators of the C programming language. The book, also known as “K&R C”, provides a comprehensive guide to the C programming language, covering its syntax, data types, control structures, functions, arrays, pointers, structures, file handling, and other advanced topics.

“The C Programming Language” is a highly regarded resource for C programmers and is recommended for both beginner and experienced programmers who want to deepen their understanding of C programming. It is known for its clear writing style, concise explanations, and practical examples, and is considered a classic in the field of computer programming.

5. Head First C: A Brain-Friendly Guide

Author: Griffiths David

This book is one of the best C programming books for beginners. In addition, it is designed to teach the fundamentals of C programming in a fun and interactive way. The book covers basic programming concepts such as variables, data types, control structures, functions, arrays, and pointers, as well as more advanced topics such as memory allocation, file handling, and dynamic data structures.

The book uses a “brain-friendly” approach to learning, which includes visual aids, humor, and interactive exercises to engage the reader and make learning more enjoyable. It also includes real-world examples and projects that demonstrate the practical applications of C programming.

C Programming Books for Intermediate

1. The C Programming Language 2nd Edition

Author: Brian W. Kernighan

This book is an updated version of their classic book on the C programming language. The book covers the C language syntax, data types, control structures, functions, arrays, pointers, structures, file handling, and other advanced topics such as memory allocation, the preprocessor, and debugging.

The 2nd Edition includes new material on the ANSI C standard, as well as updated examples and explanations. It also includes an appendix with a complete reference to the C language library. 

2. Data Structures Using C

Author: Reema Thareja

Data Structures Using C is a book that is designed for beginners who are interested in learning about the Standard Template Library from scratch. Reema Thareja, the author of the book, is an experienced programmer who has more than a decade of experience in C programming and data structure theory. 

However, this book doesn’t assume any previous knowledge of C programming and starts off with the basics of C programming. After reading this book, you will be able to write efficient data structure applications using C programming. However, this is one of the best and most important C programming books for intermediate.

3. Computer Fundamentals and Programming in C

Author: Reema Thareja

This book is ideal for computer science students and people wanting to learn to program computers. This book covers everything from the basics of computer science to more advanced concepts in programming. It provides a good introduction to C for people who are completely new to programming. It also provides practical tips on how to write programs using C.

This book writer is a graduate of the National Institute of Technology, Calicut, India. Reema Thareja has written several books which include A Guide to Computer Basics: A Self-contained Simplified Approach, an e-Book that covers Computer Basics.

4. Expert C Programming: Deep Secrets

Author: Peter Van Der Linden

Peter Van Der Linden is one of the best C programmers in the world. Not only is he a published writer, but he’s a teacher, a leader, and a mentor in the field. 

Additionally, in his new book, he explores the deep secrets of the C programming language. He explains the various components, how they interact, and how they all fit together. This book is a must-have for any programmer who wants to learn more about the secrets of programming with the C language.

5. C Programming: A Modern Approach

Author: K.N. King

C Programming: A Modern Approach is one of favorite C programming books for students. 

The new book by K.N. King teaches you the basics of the C programming language. This book will guide you into mastering the C language and you’ll be able to write codes better, faster, and smarter. 

However, there’s also an eBook version of this book, which is also available for download on the website. In this book, you’ll learn how to compile and run your first C program and then you can learn how to write your own. 

You’ll learn the basics of the language and then more about the functions, which you can use to make your coding easier. There are also quizzes and games in the book to make learning more fun. Start C programming today and be a master in no time!

C Programming Books for Advanced

1. Low-Level Programming: C, Assembly, and Program Execution

Author: Igor Zhirkov

Low-Level Programming is a must-read, especially if you are interested in computer science, software development and programming in general. If you have ever wondered how computers work at a low level, this book covers that and more. 

This book explains C and Assembly, the two most common programming languages, in a very accessible way that makes the book easy to read, understand, and reference. 

This book is 201 pages long and is divided into sections, each section covering a specific topic such as instruction execution, memory organization, and how C works with memory. The last few chapters cover compilers and how computers translate high-level programming languages into executable code. 

2. C in a Nutshell: The Definitive Reference 2nd Edition

Author: Peter Prinz

This book is a great learning tool and reference for new and experienced C programmers alike. If you’re already a programmer, but don’t know C, you can learn C by learning C++ and skipping the “low-level” material. If you already know C and you want to use C for larger applications, you can learn more about the intricacies of the application. 

Furthermore, this book has 672 pages dedicated to all things C. This book is a big enough book to cover every topic and small enough to carry and keep on your bookshelf.

3. Hands-on Network Programming with C

Author: Lewis Van Winkle

Hands-on Network Programming with C is a how-to book for anyone who wants to learn the basics of computer programming. It’s designed to teach you the fundamentals of programming in C, by showing you how to create a simple chat program.

This book starts by outlining many of the tools you can use to learn how to program, including websites, programming languages, code editors and more. The book then goes over programs for a wide range of programming languages, including C, C++, Java, Python, Pascal and more. However, this is one of the well-known and best C programming books.

4. The C++ Programming Language (4th Edition)

Author: Bjarne Stroustrup

“The C++ Programming Language” (4th Edition) is a book by Bjarne Stroustrup that provides a comprehensive guide to the C++ programming language. The book covers C++ language features such as classes, templates, exceptions, and operator overloading, as well as the standard library and advanced topics such as concurrency, networking, and language extensions.

This book is a highly regarded resource for C++ programmers. In addition, it is recommended for both beginner and experienced programmers who want to deepen their understanding of C++ programming.

5. Accelerated C++: Practical Programming by Example

Author: Andrew Koenig and Barbara E. Moo

Accelerated C++ is a book designed to help you come up to speed on the C++ programming language. The book is written by Andrew Koenig and Barbara E. Moo, both respected programmers, who have used their own experiences to write this highly detailed and informative book. 

Moreover, this is a small book that is easy to carry around and it would be a great resource for a beginner that is looking to understand more about the C++ programming language. This book will not only teach you how to learn C++, but it will also teach you how to become a better programmer overall.

Conclusion

We hope that you have enjoyed reading about the 15 best C programming books as much as we enjoyed putting them together. As of 2023, there are numerous books available on C programming. Based on popularity and positive reviews, mentioned are 15 of the best C programming books to consider reading. Also, if you want to learn more about programming and the best books to learn from, please contact me anytime.

FAQs (C Programming Books)