Is K&R still a good way to learn C as a beginner?

If you mean the second edition, yes, it can still teach you a lot of C’s core ideas. Just know that it describes C89, not C99 or later standards, so some newer language features won’t be covered.

Be cautious with examples that use old-style function declarations, and don’t use gets, which was removed from the standard in C11. Pair the book with a current C reference when you’re unsure whether an example matches the compiler or standard you’re using. The first edition is much older and is a poor choice for learning modern C.

For a first programming book, I’d lean toward C Programming: A Modern Approach. It’s written for readers who are new to programming and explains the basics more gradually, while also covering C99.

K&R is concise and influential, but that same concision can make it a tougher first step. It can still be a useful second book, or a good choice if you already know another language.

The fundamentals in the second edition are still worthwhile, especially if you want to understand pointers, arrays, and how C programs fit together. Just don’t treat every example as the latest recommended style. If you’re completely new to programming, expect to supplement it with something more explanatory.