13 BEST C Programming Books for Beginners (2025 Update)

We are reader supported and may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site

C is a general-purpose programming language that is extremely popular, simple, and flexible. It is machine-independent, structured programming language which is used extensively in various applications.

Are you interested in learning the C Language and looking for some excellent book that will help you skyrocket your C programming expertise? Then you have come to the right place.

Here is a curated list of the best books to learn C programming for beginners. These books are highly recommended by C programming experts and are helpful for students to grasp the C programming. These resources will guide you to build your career in this promising field and make you a better C developer. Read more…

BEST C Programming Books for Beginners and Expert

Book Title	Author Name	Latest Edition	Publisher	Ratings	Link
C Programming Absolute Beginner’s Guide	Greg Perry	3rd edition	Que Publishing		Learn More
C Programming Language	Kernighan Brian W.	2nd edition	Pearson		Learn More
C: The Complete Reference	Herbert Schildt	4th edition	McGraw Hill Education		Learn More
Head First C: A Brain-Friendly Guide	David Griffiths	1st edition	Shroff		Learn More
C Programming in easy steps, 5th Edition:	Mike McGrath	5th edition	‎In Easy Steps Limited		Learn More

1) C Programming Absolute Beginner’s Guide

C Programming Absolute Beginner’s Guide is a book written by Greg Perry and Dean Miller. This book teaches some basic concept of C language with clear and easy steps. The book explains the method to organize programs and work with variables, operators, I/O, pointers, functions, etc.

This C book gave simple instructions which help you to create useful, reliable C code, from games to mobile apps.

---

2) C Programming Language

The C Programming Language (2nd Edition) written by Brain W. Kernighan is ideal for every serious programmer’s digital library. You should have a background on Data Structure to easily follow most of the examples.

To read this C programming book, you need to have some familiarity with basic programming concepts like variables, assignment statements, loops, and functions.

The book includes detailed information about the C language reference manual. It also helps you in syntax notation, declarations, scope rules, etc.

---

3) C: The Complete Reference

The Complete Reference 4th Edition is Herbert Schildt is an ideal C++ reference. It teaches C as a subset of C++. This book also helps you to illustrates the C++ language with good examples through. It is highly recommended for a reference book of C.

Not like other books which teachers only the basics of c++ this book deep drive and tells you new and about the stuff you already know. It also gives explanations on why things work they do in c++.

---

4) Head First C: A Brain-Friendly Guide

Head First C written by Griffiths David provides you in-depth knowledge about the C language. With a unique method that goes beyond syntax and how-to manuals, this guide not only teaches you the language but also helps you to understand how to be a great programmer.

The book teaches you many fundamental areas of C language like language basics, pointers and pointer arithmetic, and dynamic memory management.
This book also features in-depth projects intended to stretch your abilities, test your skills.

---

5) C Programming in easy steps, 5th Edition:

C Programming in easy steps 5th edition book offers an easy-to-follow style that appeals everyone. It is especially suited for someone who wants to begin programming in C. It is also a preferred choice for those who is studying C programming at school or universities.

It is an ideal book for those who want to build a career in computing and want to know further fundamental understanding of procedural programming. This book starts explaining how you can download and install a free C compiler to create your first executable programs by examples given in this book.

---

6) Expert C Programming: Deep Secrets

Expert C programming is a book written by Peter Van Der Linden is a second book which offers many advanced tips and tricks. This book helps C programmer to scan the sections that are relevant to their immediate needs.

The book explains various coding techniques which is used by the best C programmers. It gave an introduction on to C in the simplest language so that a programmer can understand it without in-depth research. It is also an ideal programming book for anyone who wants to learn more about the implementation, practical use of C.

---

7) The C Programming Language 2nd Edition

This book is written by Kernighan for Advanced C programmer. The person should have some background on Data Structure in order to follow most of the examples easily. The book was also structured to reuse function from previous chapters like getting a line, strcmp, alloc, etc.

However, most of these functions are exactly same in C’s standard library. If you read the content of this book deeply, you will learn the crucial area of C that will save you from trouble. Like debugging your code like post fix increments and side effects and the precedence of statement evaluation.

---

8) C Programming: A Modern Approach

The book is targeting people with no prior programming experience. It is quite comprehensive in its treatment of the majority of C programming concepts. It is also covers the information needed by a C programmer in using the standard C library.

Author’s easy language helps all type of readers to readers to understand from beginners to more advanced students. It includes a significant number of exercises and longer programming projects. It also includes extensive revisions and updates.

---

9) Computer Fundamentals and Programming in C

This is a second edition of computer fundamentals and programming book written by Reema Thareja. It is a specially designed textbook for students of engineering, computer science, and computer applications.

This C Language book is divided into two parts. Part I, Computer Fundamentals. It starts with an introduction to computers and offers a detailed account of various topics like input and output devices, primary and secondary memory devices, number systems, etc. This C book also includes various case studies, key terms, and chapter-end exercises.

---

10) Low-Level Programming: C, Assembly, and Program Execution

This book explains Intel 64 architecture. The book also teaches the latest version of the C language and assembly language from scratch. It also covers the entire path from source code to program execution. It also includes ELF object files and static and dynamic linking which vast numbers of coding examples and exercises.

The book also includes many performance-gain techniques like SSE instructions and pre-fetching. You will also learn important Computer Science topics like models of computation and formal grammars.

---

11) C in a Nutshell: The Definitive Reference 2nd Edition

C in a Nutshell: The Definitive Reference 2nd Edition written by Peter Prinz is a modern C reference book for experienced C programmers. The book helps you to learn how to build C programs with GNU and build executable programs from C source code. It also teaches how you can test and debug your programs with the help of GNU debugger.

In three-section book cover C language. The first section covers all the important language elements like character, statements, points, memory management. The second section helps you to learn about the C standard library, and the third section teaches about the basic c programming tools.

---

12) Hands-on Network Programming with C

Hands-On Network Programming in C book covers core concepts, such as hostname resolution with DNS, etc. In this book, you will learn fundamental network protocols, TCP, UDP, and all the essential techniques like client-server and peer-to-peer models. The concept is explained by giving easy to understand practical examples.

You’ll study HTTP from both the client and server perspective. At the end of this book, you’ll have experience of working with client-server applications and be able to implement new network programs in C.

---

13) Data Structures Using C

Data Structures Using C was written by Reema Thareja. The book covers abstract concepts of data structures, and its implementation using C language.

The book begins with a complete overview of the concepts of C programming. After that, it focuses on different data structures and methods which help you analyze the complexity of different algorithms. It covers various data structures like arrays, strings, stacks, linked lists, queues, trees, heaps, and graphs.

FAQs:

📚 Which are the best C Programming books?

Following are some of the best C Programming books for beginners and advanced programmers

• C Programming Absolute Beginner’s Guide
• C Programming Language
• C: The Complete Reference
• Head First C: A Brain-Friendly Guide
• C Programming in easy steps, 5th Edition:

🏅 Which author’s book is best for C programming?

Books written by Greg Perry and Dean Miller, Brain W. Kernighan, Herbert Schildt, David Griffiths and Dawn Griffiths are best for beginners and expert to learn C Programming Language.

🚀 What should you know before learn C?

Nothing! Those best book for C Language are designed for absolute beginners