1.1. Introduction

Welcome to C++! We've worked hard to create what we hope you'll find to be an informative, entertaining and challenging learning experience. C++ is a powerful computer programming language that is appropriate for experienced programmers to use in building substantial information systems. C++ for Programmers, is an effective learning tool for each of these audiences.

The book emphasizes achieving program clarity through the proven techniques of object-oriented programming. This is an "early classes and objects" book. We teach C++ features in the context of complete working C++ programs and show the outputs produced when those programs are run on a computer—we call this the live-code approach. You may download the example programs from www.deitel.com/books/cppfp/.

The early chapters introduce the fundamentals of C++, providing a solid foundation for the deeper treatment of C++ in the later chapters. Experienced programmers tend to read the early chapters quickly, then find the treatment of C++ in the remainder of the book rigorous and challenging.

C++ is one of today's most popular software development languages. This book discusses the version of C++ standardized in the United States through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and worldwide through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

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Please check out our growing list of C++ and related Resource Centers at

www.deitel.com/ResourceCenters.html

Some Resource Centers that will be valuable to you as you read this book are C++, C++ Game Programming, C++ Boost Libraries, Code Search Engines and Code Sites, Computer Game Programming, Programming Projects, Eclipse, Linux, Open Source and Windows Vista. Each week we announce our latest Resource Centers in the newsletter. Errata and updates for this book are posted at www.deitel.com/books/cppfp/.

You are embarking on a challenging and rewarding path. As you proceed, if you have any questions, please send e-mail to deitel@deitel.com. We'll respond promptly. We hope that you'll enjoy learning with C++ for Programmers.