Let Us C - Fifth Edition

Oct 3, 2026

Preface to the fifth edition of “Let Us C” by Yashavant P. Kanetkar, reflecting on the post–DOTCOM and post-9/11 era and the growth of India as a software brand. Describes how C programming instruction is split into two phases for learners and for building real-world Windows and Linux programs. Explains why earlier DOS-centric chapters were replaced, outlines the role of Turbo C/C++ for simplicity, and points readers to updated Linux/Windows-focused content and available source code.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages743

Reading Time31 h 12 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

1. Getting Started

2. The Decision Control Structure

Let UsC Fifth Edition Yashavant P. Kanetkar Dedicated to baba Who couldn’t be here to see this day... About the Author Destiny drew Yashavant Kanetkar towards computers when the IT industry was just making a beginning in India. Having completed his education from VJTI Mumbai and IIT Kanpur in Mechanical Engineering he started his training company in Nagpur. Yashavant has a passion for writing and is an author of several books in C, C++, VC++, C\#, .NET, DirectX and COM programming. He is a much sought after speaker on various technology subjects and is a regular columnist for Express Computers and Developer 2.0. His current affiliations include being a Director of KICIT, a training company and DCube Software Technologies, a software development company. In recognition to his contribution Microsoft awarded him the prestigious “Best .NET Technical Contributor” award recently. He [can be reached at](can be reached at kanetkar@kicit.com)[ ](can be reached at kanetkar@kicit.com)[kanetkar@kicit.com](can be reached at kanetkar@kicit.com). Preface to the Fifth Edition It is mid 2004. World has left behind the DOTCOM bust, 9/ 11 tragedy, the economic downturn, etc. and moved on. Countless Indians have relentlessly worked for close to two decades to successfully establish “India” as a software brand. At times I take secret pleasure in seeing that a book that I have been part of, has contributed in its own little way in shaping so many budding careers that have made the “India” brand acceptable. Computing and the way people use C for doing it keeps changing as years go by. So overwhelming has been the response to all the previous editions of “Let Us C” that I have now decided that each year I would come up with a new edition of it so that I can keep the readers abreast with the way C is being used at that point in time. There are two phases in every C programmer’s life. In the first phase he is a learner trying to understand the language elements and their nuances. At this stage he wants a simple learning environment that helps him to master the language. In my opinion, even today there isn’t any learning environment that can beat Turbo C/C++ for simplicity. Hence the first fifteen chapters are written keeping this environment in mind, though a majority of these programs in these chapters would work with any C compiler. Armed with the knowledge of language elements the C programmer enters the second phase. Here he wishes to use all that he has learnt to create programs that match the ability of programs that he see in today’s world. I am pointing towards programs in Windows and Linux world. Chapters 16 to 21 are devoted to this. I would like to your attention the fact that if you want to program Windows or Linux you need to have a very good grasp over the programming model used by each of these OS. Windows messaging architecture and Linux signaling mechanism are the cases in point. Once you understand these thoroughly rest is just a matter of time. Chapters 16 to 21 have been written with this motive. In Linux programming the basic hurdle is in choosing the Linux distribution, compiler, editor, shell, libraries, etc. To get a headstart you can follow the choices that I found most reasonable and simple. They have been mentioned in Chapter 20 and Appendix H. Once you are comfortable you can explore other choices. In fourth edition of Let Us C there were chapters on ‘Disk Basics’,‘VDU Basics’, ‘Graphics’, ‘Mouse Programming’, ‘C and Assembly’. Though I used to like these chapters a lot I had to take a decision to drop them since most of them were DOS-centric and would not be so useful in modern-day programming. Modern counterparts of all of these have been covered in Chapters 16 to 21. However, if you still need the chapters from previous edition they are available [at](at www.kicit.com/books/letusc/fourthedition)[ ](at www.kicit.com/books/letusc/fourthedition)[www.kicit.com/books/letusc/fourthedition](at www.k

FAQs

What are the two phases of a C programmer’s life described in the preface?

The first phase focuses on learning C language elements in a simple environment. The second phase emphasizes using those elements to build programs for environments like Windows and Linux.

Why does the author mention Turbo C/C++ in the first fifteen chapters?

Turbo C/C++ is presented as a simple learning environment that helps beginners master C, even though most programs would work with other C compilers.

Which later chapters are devoted to Windows and Linux programming, and what expertise is emphasized?

Chapters 16 to 21 focus on creating programs for Windows and Linux. The author stresses understanding each OS’s programming model, including Windows messaging architecture and Linux signaling mechanisms.

Oct 3, 2026

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