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Learn C Programming

You're reading from   Learn C Programming A beginner's guide to learning C programming the easy and disciplined way

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Product type Paperback
Published in Jun 2020
Publisher Packt
ISBN-13 9781789349917
Length 646 pages
Edition 1st Edition
Languages
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Author (1):
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Jeff Szuhay Jeff Szuhay
Author Profile Icon Jeff Szuhay
Jeff Szuhay
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Table of Contents (33) Chapters Close

Preface 1. Section 1: C Fundamentals
2. Running Hello, World! FREE CHAPTER 3. Understanding Program Structure 4. Working with Basic Data Types 5. Using Variables and Assignment 6. Exploring Operators and Expressions 7. Exploring Conditional Program Flow 8. Exploring Loops and Iteration 9. Creating and Using Enumerations 10. Section 2: Complex Data Types
11. Creating and Using Structures 12. Creating Custom Data Types with typedef 13. Working with Arrays 14. Working with Multi-Dimensional Arrays 15. Using Pointers 16. Understanding Arrays and Pointers 17. Working with Strings 18. Creating and Using More Complex Structures 19. Section 3: Memory Manipulation
20. Understanding Memory Allocation and Lifetime 21. Using Dynamic Memory Allocation 22. Section 4: Input and Output
23. Exploring Formatted Output 24. Getting Input from the Command Line 25. Exploring Formatted Input 26. Working with Files 27. Using File Input and File Output 28. Section 5: Building Blocks for Larger Programs
29. Working with Multi-File Programs 30. Understanding Scope 31. Other Books You May Enjoy Appendix

Why use pointers at all?

If pointers are so problematic, why use them at all? First and foremost, pointers are not the problem; misuse of pointers is the problem.

Nonetheless, there are four main uses for pointers:

  • To overcome thecall-by-valuerestriction in function parameters: Pointers expand the flexibility of function calls by allowing variable function parameters.
  • As an alternative to array subscripting: Pointers allow access to array elements without subscripting.
  • To manage C strings: Pointers allow easy (ahem, easier) allocation and manipulation of C strings.
  • For dynamic data structures: Pointers allow memory to be allocated at runtime for useful dynamic structures, such as linked lists, trees, and dynamically sized arrays.

We will deal with the first point, the mechanics of pointers and variable function parameters, in this chapter. The second point will be explored in Chapter 14, Understanding Arrays...

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