Chapter 1. Getting started
In this chapter, I will introduce you to one simple program that has been chosen because it contains many of the constructs of the C language. If you already have programming experience, you may find that parts of it feel like needless repetition. If you lack such experience, you might feel overwhelmed by the stream of new terms and concepts.
In either case, be patient. For those of you with programming experience, it’s very possible that there are subtle details you’re not aware of, or assumptions you have made about the language that are not valid, even if you have programmed C before. For those approaching programming for the first time, be assured that after approximately 10 pages your understanding will have increased a lot, and you should have a much clearer idea of what programming represents.
An important bit of wisdom for programming in general, and for this book in particular, is summarized in the following citation from the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams [1986]:
Takeaway B
Don’t panic.
It’s not worth it. There are many cross references, links, and bits of side information in the text, and there is an index at the end. Follow those if you have a question. Or just take a break.