Suitable for use at any level, this text assumes no previous knowledge of C programming. Though C is very popular, being used to write software ranging from databases to word processors, the variety of possible constructs means that the beginner is advised to start on a subset of the whole language. That is the approach used in this book. The reader is quickly introduced to the essentials, beginning with an introduction to program design and the basics of hardware and software. Where appropriate, chapters include a Big Picture section to give an overview that takes the reader beyond the subset. Key points are summarized at chapter ends and problems are set.