C by Dissection presents a thorough introduction to the programming process by carefully developing working programs to illuminate key features of the C programming language. This book presents the concepts of the programming process using the "dissection" method. Dissection is a unique pedagogical tool first developed by the authors to point out key features of program code. It is similar to a structured walk-through of the code, with the intention of explaining newly encountered programming elements and idioms as found in working code.

The book assumes no programming background and can be used by first time computer users or by experienced programmers who are transitioning to C. Each chapter presents a number of carefully explained programs, which lead the reader in a holistic manner to ever-improving programming skills. Right from the start, the reader is introduced to complete programs, and at an early point in the book, the reader is introduced to writing functions as a major feature of structured programming.

This edition takes into account the fact that many people are learning Java as a first language and then going to C, or vice-versa. It calls out those topics that present a challenge when transitioning from Java and C (e.g. i/o, data types). Exercises have been added to these chapters that engage the reader to compare the differences between the languages.