while (dead_horse) <p> beat (): <p> If you&#8217;re like most people, the above seems like nonsense. Actually, it&#8217;s computer sense&#8212;C programming. After digesting <i>C For Dummies, 2^nd Edition,</i> you&#8217;ll understand it. C programs are fast, concise and versatile. They let you boss your computer around for a change. So turn on your computer, get a free compiler and editor (the book tells you where), pull up a chair, and get going. You won&#8217;t have to go far (page 13) to find your first program example. You&#8217;ll do short, totally manageable, hands-on exercises to help you make sense of: <ul type="disc"> <li>All 32 keywords in the C language (that&#8217;s right&#8212;just 32 words) <li>The functions&#8212;several dozen of them <li>Terms like printf(), scanf(), gets (), and puts () <li>String variables, numeric variables, and constants <li>Looping and implementation <li>Floating-point values </ul> <p> In case those terms are almost as intimidating as the idea of programming, be reassured that <i>C For Dummies</i> was written by Dan Gookin, bestselling author of <i>DOS For Dummies</i>, the book that started the whole library. So instead of using expletives and getting headaches, you&#8217;ll be using newly acquired skills and getting occasional chuckles as you discover how to: <ul type="disc"> <li>Design and develop programs <li>Add comments (like post-it-notes to yourself) as you go <li>Link code to create executable programs <li>Debug and deploy your programs <li>Use lint, a common tool to examine and optimize your code </ul> <p> A helpful, tear-out cheat sheet is a quick reference for comparison symbols, conversion characters, mathematical doodads, C numeric data types, and more. <i>C For Dummies</i> takes the mystery out of programming and gets you into it quickly and painlessly.