Quote:Original post by Solidus
I just bought C for Dummies, it doesn't come with a compiler so where can I get a good one?

I assume you meant a free one? Well Dev-C++ gives you the MinGW port of the GCC compiler, along with an IDE.

If you don't mind command-line tools, somebody will probably be along shortly with a link to Microsoft's VC++2005 Express beta download link.

Quote:Also is this book a good one to start off with?

I don't think so. But since you've bought it, you might as well read it (from cover to cover, including the small print).

Luke - Thanks for the link. Nice list of compilers there.

Quote:Original post by Solidus
How come you don't think it was a good one to start off with? I didn't have much choice at the shop =/

It's just my personal opinion. It's yet another "let's start with C and relegate most of C++'s features to the 'advanced' section" book. Unless it's been reedited since I've leafed through it, coverage of the C++ standard library is minimal.

I'll go to the bookstore and skim it again if you want.

Edit - you've given up on Python?

Quote:Original post by Solidus
lol yeah I didn't understand it...

It's not that difficult, really. Even I understand it. [smile] I like it better than C++, you know...

Quote:Im reading this book now and im starting to understand what and how to code. :) I find it helpful.

Just remember to take what one book tells you with a grain of salt.

Just remember, in C++, std::vector and std::string are generally infinitely preferable to dynamic arrays and char*-strings.
edit - meh, I forgot you're talking about C, not C++.

Quote:But one think is the compiler is confusing me... when go to the site you gave me and download them I get a whole bunch of files which confuse me =S but in time ill figure them out :)

Perseverance is key. [smile]

Quote:I like this book because it doesn't talk like robot if you know what I mean...

Unfortunately for you, to become a programmer, you'll have to learn to think robot, or rather, to think like your compiler. [rolleyes]

[Edited by - Fruny on October 9, 2004 3:36:24 AM]

Quote:Original post by Solidus
I just bought C for Dummies, it doesn't come with a compiler so where can I get a good one? Also is this book a good one to start off with?

If it's the same one I started off with like 5 years ago or so it is a very very bad book!
I mean if you are just starting off and naive you won't notice all the bad advice and worse outdated stuff in that book. After reading a ton more books and programming for a while like I have they will become glaringly obvious.
Some I remeber off the top of my head is using void instead of int for main return type, using nonportable headers like <dos.h>,use of kbhit,gets,dos int21 programming,etc.
And the worse part was at the end of the first book it said something to the effect that the author couldn't fit everything into 1 book so you have to get the 2nd book to completely learn C!
I have to admit the book did make me laugh quite a bit but the bottom line is that after finishing this book you'll be lucky if you can write anything but the simplest C programs:
This book was a complete waste of time for me. It barely teaches you anything after reading the first volume. What took 1000 pages in this book I can learn in in 100 pages of another book. The author uses so much humor in this book that it gets extremely frustrating. For example, in the quizes after each section he gives a question with multiple choice answers. There are amazingly stupid answers to choose from leaving you with only one logical answer. He might as well just give you the answer rather than writing down bs. He repeats each example over and over again which makes it frustrating. I found myself repeating the same things withouth learning anything new. The only time I would recommend this book if you were some moron who has an iq of 90 and can barely read or if you're a 10 year old and doesn't know what you're doing. It's ridiculous how simple it is he teaches you. It takes the author 20 pages to teach you something you can easily learn in anotehr book in 1 page.

[Edited by - daviangel on October 9, 2004 3:45:40 PM]