10 Best CPP and C Books For Beginners & Advanced Programmers

If you want to become a successful software developer, you should never stop learning, whether you’re a working professional or a student. But why only C and C++? The core idea is that C gives programmers what they want and allows them to develop according to their needs, while C++ was launched as a successor to C, allowing programmers to use code with greater mobility and introducing the concept of objects and classes. These two have been the most extensively utilized among developers internationally and are being accepted by all business scales, which is why demand for C and C++ is increasing every day in today’s technology-driven world.

Yes, there are other languages you can learn, but the major reason you should learn C is that it provides the foundation for programming. However, with the help of the best books that we’ll examine in this article today, anyone may master or learn these languages. Why are books so important? Because reading improves your ability to catch (learn) information faster. You gain a thorough understanding of each idea, allowing you to become an expert in that language.

With the help of this article, we’ll understand the 10 best books of C and C++ for both beginners and professionals. Let’s find out.

1. C Programming Language (2nd Edition) By Brian W. Kernighan & Dennis M. Ritchie

The basic concept of the C programming language is explained in this 2nd edition book, which adheres to ANSI (American National Norms Institute) standards. Written by Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie, this book explains OOPS and the principles of programming in C. This book is appropriate for programmers at both the basic and advanced levels, and the best part is that it teaches all of the principles from the beginning, including functions and loops, libraries, data structures, and so on. While practizing with this book, one can also complete several activities like as mistake correction and code modifications, which will help to improve conceptual comprehension and knowledge.

2. The C++ Programming Language (4th Edition) By Bjarne Stroustrup

This book, published by Bjarne Stroustrup, the creator of C++, has content for both novices and professionals interested in studying the language. This is the fourth edition of the book, which includes substantial material in full-fledged form as well as practise activities. This book will teach you the fundamentals of C++, including libraries, containers, and OOPS. The author has also contributed to additional C++-based works and is currently a member of the United States National Academy of Engineering.

3. Let us C By Yashavant Kanetkar

This book is a one-stop solution for learning the concept of C. This book is suitable for everyone, from introducing the basic concept to moving on for in-depth knowledge. Yashavant Kanetkar, a pioneer who has been honored by Microsoft with the title of “Most Valuable Profession,” issued his 17th edition of Let Us C in 2020. Even if someone is attempting to improve their skills in preparation for a competition, they can do so by engaging in various exercises and MCQs. This book covers all of the fundamentals of arrays, functions, strings, and other topics, as well as a part for people preparing for employment interviews.

4. Head First C: A Brain-Friendly By David Griffiths and Dawn Griffiths

Have you ever wondered how you may learn C just by reading a book? Whether you’re a student or a working professional, you may achieve great things with the help of this book “Head First C.” This book covers a wide range of techniques and aids in the comprehension of language fundamentals, pointers, dynamic memory management, and other topics. David Griffiths and Dawn Griffiths published this book in 2012 with the goal of sharing their knowledge in a fun way. To make it more engaging, they included a lab part with specific assignments to test the reader’s competence and build top-notch skills.

5. C++ Primer (5th Edition) By Stanley B. Lippman, Josee Lajoie, and Barbara E Moo

This book is ideal for anyone who wants to improve their C++ skills or learn more about the language. This book covers all of C++’s libraries as well as its functions. Since this is the fifth edition, the content has been updated to reflect the latest version of C++, and the examples in this book are much more advanced and useful for both advanced and beginner students and working professionals. Stanley Lippman, Josee Lajoie, and Barbara Moo collaborated on this book, which was released in 2012. This book is a wonderful choice for learning C++ from the ground up.

6. Practical C++ Programming (2nd Edition) By Steve Oualline

The second edition of Practical C++ Programming includes a variety of evaluations, a rewritten introduction, and a brief history of C++, as well as instructions on how to create anything using C++ flawlessly. This book covers topics such as C++ syntax coding, style generation, object class usage, template debugging, and more. Those who want to study C++ should use this book as a guide and concentrate on the introduction section, completing all of the exercises at the end of each unit. By the end of the book, you will know how to apply it to real-world projects by developing clean and efficient code.

7. Programming in ANSI C By Dr. E. Balagurusamy

This book was written for all levels of programmers, from beginners to advanced, and it has been well-crafted to cover all aspects of the mother language of programming, C. E. Balaguruswamy wrote it with the intention of reflecting a user with no prior coding skills. The latest functions, arrays, strings, and other topics are covered in the newer edition of this book. The in-depth examines all of the exercise components that programmers can use to hone their skills. The 8th edition has revised information that meets AICTE standards for students, as well as pedagogical tools such as graphic programming in C.

8. C: The Complete Reference By Herbert Schildt

This is one of the greatest publications for both beginners and advanced programmers to learn C. Herbert Schildt’s book has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide and has been translated into a number of languages. According to ANSI standards, the new version provides an overview of arrays, functions, operators, expressions, structure, and so on. This book’s knowledge also includes the most recent C libraries, variable-length arrays, inline functions, and other topics. It includes a range of examples and activities at the end of each course that you can solve to learn the C language for a better understanding and brushing up on your abilities.

9. Effective Modern C++ (2014) By Scott Meyers

Those wishing to improve their C++ skills should definitely consider purchasing Scott Meyers’ book. It was created to help people understand C++11 and C++ 14 and how to use them in real-world projects. This book teaches the fundamental concepts of C++, such as lambda expressions, type declarations, and so on. Aside from that, the user will be able to understand how to use C++ to produce a more efficient coding style. It covers a wide range of topics, including the advantages and disadvantages of braced initialization, the link between std:: move and std:: forward, and how std:: atomic is distinct from volatile. In contrast, if you’ve just started learning C++ and want to learn how to apply it to real-world tasks, you might benefit from the guidance of Effective Modern C++.

6. Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ (2008) By Bjarne Stroustrup

This is yet another gem produced by C++’s author in 2008. This book is well-written for both beginners and advanced coders, and it progresses to an intermediate level as the reader dives in. A learner can learn the fundamentals of C++, as well as updated approaches for newer versions, libraries, and object-oriented programming, in this book. According to the reviews, this is one of the greatest books, especially for individuals who have never done any coding before, and it also improves the skillsets of those who have done some coding. The book is organized into distinct phases in which a student will learn basic concepts and approaches, and the other phase will drive you with key topics like as testing, text processing, and so on, as well as providing enough exercises for better understanding.