So I got the Shellcoder's Handbook as a christmas gift and I just started reading it.

In your experiences what would be the best compiler to use, to focus on learning the code and following the book?

Simple GCC? Visual Studio?

It's been a while, but if I am not mistaking, the book tells you which compilers to use and when.   If I remember correctly, it mostly focuses on GCC.

@Lubinski
Do you mean beginner C or advanced C?
You can get a beginner level C book in your local library or store. There are a large number of free tutorials available on the net too.
http://www.cprogramming.com/tutorial.html#ctutorial

After you've gone through basic loops, if-else, switch, arrays, pointers and structures etc. you can follow it up with "The C programming language" book. Also known as K&R. It's an advanced level C book by C language developer and is the best source around.

You can also look at the CS 107 course of Stanford University.
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=9D558D49CA734A02

Jerry Cain is an excellent teacher and I really enjoyed these videos.

yes thanks, just what I was looking for. I will make myself silly looking through amazon trying to find the right book. But if its suggested by somebody else, means a whole lot more.

Thanks.