I'm looking for a book that can help me learn C programming from scratch, much like how "Python Crash Course" does for Python. Ideally, I'd like a resource filled with exercises that guide someone from not even knowing how to print 'Hello, World!' to being able to create a simple game like Pong.
4 Answers
I recently read "Effective C," and I found it somewhat similar to what you’re looking for. However, keep in mind that C is more low level, so your Pong game would likely be text-based in the style of a command line app.
CS50x is a solid option! It starts with C and then introduces other languages as you progress, making it comprehensive. Just a heads up, it does cover a lot, so it might feel a bit overwhelming at times!
I have to disagree here; CS50x can be quite challenging for complete beginners. Just be prepared for a steep learning curve!
If you haven't checked it out yet, you might want to visit [learn-c.org](https://www.learn-c.org/). It's an interactive platform that could help you get started with C!
C isn't like Python because it doesn’t have built-in libraries to make things easier, so there isn’t really a standard way to create a game like Pong in pure C. Depending on your operating system, the approach can vary a lot. Most C books focus more on concepts and problem-solving rather than building complete applications. A great recommendation to learn C is Harvard's CS50x course; it’s beginner-friendly and covers a mix of languages.
I wouldn’t call "Effective C" beginner-friendly; it's published by the same house as another famous book, but I think "K&R" (Kernighan and Ritchie) is a better starting point. It’s structured well for learners.