Title: Proficient C

Author: Martin Moene

Date: 17 June 2010 08:54:00 +01:00 or Thu, 17 June 2010 08:54:00 +01:00

Summary: Very much aimed towards the PC programmer.

Body: 

TITLE	PROFICIENT C
AUTHOR	Hansen, Augie
PUBLISHER	Microsoft Press.
ISBN	1-55615-007-5
PRICE	19.95

A grand sounding title, and a book which, according to the sleeve notes, is intended for advanced or intermediate programmers, yet one which contains much useful information for anyone programming on an IBM type machine under MSDOS.

Although C does not require MSDOS nor an IBM type machine, it is inevitable I suppose, that a book emanating from the Microsoft stable will be heavily slanted in that direction. This one is no different but that does not detract from the usefulness of the text.

The author is clearly used to working under UNIX and makes frequent reference to the points which would require attention in porting software to this environment. The applications however are undoubtedly DOS applications and, towards the end of the book, involve such close contact with the IBM hardware that perhaps a more honest title would have been 'Proficient C on an IBM PC'.

That aside, this is a well constructed text which covers many aspects of building fully functioning programs in C. Whilst the latest Microsoft C compiler is used by the author, there is little to compel users to follow his lead.

Little time is wasted in explaining, justifying or teaching C. The first chapters cover the DOS programming environment and the connection between DOS and C. It should be pointed out that at least some of the comments made in this respect refer to the Microsoft DOS to C connection and other compilers may differ in some areas.

The style of the book is pleasant and easy to follow. A useful list of all functions presented is included as an appendix. Functions are clearly defined, well commented and documented. Most of the functions presented are used as building blocks later in the book, eventually leading to a system of screen windows which can be fully controlled by the user.

As always, one of the best ways to improve your own C style is to look at the way others program. This book presents no slick-and-tricky super C constructs but does demonstrate well structured code and good use of library routines. It is reassuring too, to see methods employed for making BIOS calls and obtaining information from DOS such as program name. Reassuring, since, if Microsoft adopt such approaches, we can be sure that it is safe for the rest of us to do so too.

Text books never seem cheap, but, in terms of value for money, I would suggest that this is indeed a useful book to add to a reference shelf.

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