Each chapter includes a project designed around simple games as a fun approach to learning programming. This book will use ANSI C standards and the free gcc compiler as its development platforms. Using these platforms allows the reader to access free software for most operating systems (Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000), Linux and othe UNIX-based OS's. Most competitors assume readers have access to varioius developmental environments. This book uses the free CYGWIN software which will allow readers from any background (UNIX or Microsoft) to easily read, study, and implement chapter contents. Unlike most of the competitors, the author will not deviate from the original target audience by including even minor discussion of advance programming topics, which lose many beginners and fail to satisfy intermediate to advanced programmers.