C: The Complete Reference (Paperback)

Preface
This is the fourth edition of C: The Complete Reference. In the years since the third edition was prepared, much has happened in the programming world. The Internet and the World Wide Web became an integral part of the computing landscape, Java was invented, and C was standardized. At the same time, a new standard for C, called C99, was created. Although C99 did not grab many headlines, it is still one of the most important computing events of the past five years. In the onrush of events, it is easy to focus only on the new, overlooking the sturdy foundation upon which the future is built. C is such a foundation. Much of the world's code runs on C. It is the language upon which C was built, and its syntax formed the basis for Java. However, if C were simply a starting point for other languages, it would be an interesting, but dead, language. Fortunately for us programmers, this is not the case. C is as vital today as when it was first invented. As you will see, the C99 standard contains new and innovative constructs that once again put C at the forefront of language development. Although C's progeny (C and Java) are certainly important, C has a staying power that no other computer language can claim.