On 21:44 Thu 29 May     , MRH wrote:
> > This is exactly why we chose C as the first language for electronic
> > engineering and information systems engineering students. Previously the
> > course had been given in Algol 68 (!), then Pascal, but it was decided
> > that C would be a much better foundation, and useful in the real world
> > too.
> >
> > C is very hard to learn. Almost everybody comes unstuck on pointers and
> > memory allocation. But this trains your mind, and once you've learnt C,
> > you realise what other languages are protecting you from, and how they
> > work internally (since most are written in C, like Ruby).
> >
> > Recently some ex-students of mine contacted me via a social networking
> > site to thank me, saying that C had been very valuable to them in their
> > careers.
> >
> > If the OP wants a good foundation in programming, C will provide it. But
> > Ruby would be gentler. :-)
> 
> Hi Dave,
> 
> Thank you for your post. As I have mentioned, I believe I will study C
> and those texts so as to become acquainted with the lower level
> concepts.
> 
> Best,
> 
> Maurice
> 
> 

FWIW, I would suggest K&R to learn C. It seems to be the standard for
learning C, and along with a copy og the C99 standard, should be able to
get you started in it.