C++ All-In-One For Dummies®, 2nd Edition

Introduction

C++ is the language of the millennium. Why is C++ so popular?

• It's powerful. You can write almost any program in it.

• It's fast, and it's fully compiled. That's a good thing.

• It's easy to use — if you have this book.

• It's object-oriented. If you're not sure what that is, don't worry. You can find out about it by reading this very book you're holding.

• It's portable. Versions are available for nearly every computer.

• It's standardized. The American National Standards Institute and the International Standards Organization both approve an official version.

• It's popular. More people are using C++ because so many other people use it.

Sure, some people criticize C++. But most of these people don't truly understand C++ or are just having a bad day. Or both.

No Experience Necessary

This book is not a big rant about C++. Rather, it's a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves book, where you will truly learn C++.

At the very beginning, we start you out from square one. We don't assume any programming experience whatsoever. Everybody has to start somewhere. You can start here. Not to brag, but you are in the hands of highly successful C++ users who have shown thousands of people how to program, many of whom started out from square one.

Great for Advanced Folks, Too!

You already know C++? This book is great for you, too, because although we start discussing C++ from the beginning, we go all the way through it.

Want to know how to derive a nontemplatized class from a class template? Check out Minibook IV ...