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Book Description

“Functional C” by Pieter H. Hartel and Henk Muller isn’t your average programming book. It’s a hands-on guide designed for students who’ve just dipped their toes into functional languages and are now ready to tackle the wild world of imperative programming. The authors weave together theory, practice, and a touch of humor as they show how to keep thinking functionallyeven when coding in gritty, low-level C. If you’re curious about how functional programming stacks up against C’s imperative approach, or if you want to see how learning both can make you a better coder, this book is a gem.

Book Overview

The book kicks off with a thoughtful preface explaining its purpose: to help students build on their knowledge of functional programming (with SML) and dive confidently into the nuts and bolts of C. The authors don’t just dump syntax on youthey compare paradigms, highlight the strengths and quirks of each style, and focus on real-world applications. You’ll find sections covering everything from function signatures as abstractions to pointer arithmetic (oh yes, the infamous void*). It’s not just about writing code; it’s about thinking deeply about how code works. For those who are still figuring out the difference between functional programming for mortals and the more traditional approaches, this book serves as a bridge.

Why Read This Book

Let’s face it: most programming books either teach you one style or the other. “Functional C” dares to do both! It’s perfect if you’re tired of dry textbooks and want something that gets its hands dirty with real code examples. The authors stress not just how to write programs but why certain paradigms matter. They don’t shy away from tricky topicslike pointer arithmetic or abstract data typesbut instead make them approachable, even fun. If you enjoy seeing concepts explained through both math and practical code, you’ll feel right at home here. Plus, there’s a playful nod to readers who like learning through mistakes (because let’s be honest, who doesn’t?). And if you want to compare this approach with other resources, check out Functional Programming, Simplified (Scala Edition) for another perspective.

Who This Book Is For

This book is tailor-made for first-year computer science students who already know the basics of programming principlesespecially those who’ve met SML in their intro courses. But honestly? Anyone interested in understanding how functional and imperative styles mix (and clash) will get loads out of it. If you’re prepping for advanced courses or just love geeking out over language design quirks, grab this PDF. It doesn’t assume much prior knowledge beyond some simple logic and set theory, so don’t worry if you’re not a math whiz.

What You Will Learn

• The core differences between functional and imperative paradigms
• How to write clean, efficient code in C while thinking functionally
• Why abstractions matterand how to create them with functions and data types
• The ins-and-outs of ISO-C syntax (including pointers that might haunt your dreams)
• How to model computation using both mathematics and code
• The art of transitioning from specification to implementation
• Tactics for writing reusable code with clean interfaces
• How SML can help clarify concepts before translating them into C
• Practical exercises that reinforce your skills without requiring proof-heavy math
• Real-world examples from databases, graphics, architecture, and more

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