Beej's Guide to C Programming [pdf]
19 comments
·March 25, 2025sdsd
I learned about beej when I started the Vortex wargame on OverTheWire (https://overthewire.org/wargames/vortex/vortex0.html). I emailed him about an error in the part about loops, and he told me he'd fix it, but never did. Only years later when I got nostalgic and went to reread that part of his guide, did I realize there had never been a bug, I'd simply misunderstood the code, and he had humored me.
I'm such a huge beej fan.
simonw
This is a better link as it provides more formats, including ones that (unlike PDF) work well on mobile: https://beej.us/guide/bgc/
krykp
Now I am personally offended :) I kid, but I am a big fan of well formatted PDF documents. What problems would you say that trouble you in mobile? I understand the 'absolute' viewport is tiresome, but I tend to prefer the consistency at times.
jjice
Beej is an incredible author. His networking guide is not only succinct and informative, it's also very funny. He's got a great writing style.
There was a thread a month or two back showing off some more of his guides, including this one. Going to download some of these for a long flight coming up. Huge thank you to Beej for the incredibly high quality content at no cost. There's also a paperback of at least the network programming guide available to support (great gift to give to a junior engineer).
zabzonk
All guides, all well worth reading: https://beej.us/guide/
tempodox
Beej's guides are great. As for C, you also need the mandatory companion guide: A Guide to Undefined Behavior in C and C++ (https://blog.regehr.org/archives/213).
codr7
Here's another guide to C, from a slightly different angle, that I've been working on for a while:
davidw
If you're ever in Bend, beej shows up at these events pretty regularly: https://www.meetup.com/deschutes-tech-guild/
bradhe
Was absolutely crazy to me to learn he was from Bend. I grew up in Bend, and in the early 2000s when I was in HS, his guides were super important to me. It wasn't till a couple years ago that I learned he was from Bend!
marginalia_nu
Beej taught me half of what I know about network programming and unix sockets. The dude deserves a medal for the work he has done over the decades.
throwme0827349
I need to learn rust for work. Since beej doesn't seem to have a guide for rust, what's the next best thing? :)
Narishma
What's wrong with the official book?
throwme0827349
Nothing except I didn't know about it. Thanks for the suggestion. :)
tonightstoast
Once you’re done with that Jon Gjengset‘s YouTube videos and book are great resources.
raldu
Help me understand what is so “great” about a writing style that reads like a couple of tech bros cracking jokes next to a water cooler, please?
That, “You” language spread all over the text to the point that I’ll almost take programming too personally!
The only missing overabundance in the text is that of memes and emojis in it’s style.
Is it oh-so-very “accessible?”
Is it a “very conversational” style?
Is it so-very “TLDR” over “RTFM?”
Is it a late-night talk show?
Is it the M&M’s of technical writing for distracted kids?
null
Previous discussions with notable engagement:
- Feb 2023, 284pts, 64 comments: <https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34946811>
- March 2023, 115pts, 37 comments: <https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35338074>
- April 2021, 507pts, 172 comments: <https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26911399>
- September 2017, 427pts, 79 comments: <https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15198093>
Worth noting that there are changes on a regular basis: <https://github.com/beejjorgensen/bgc>