Absolute C++ , offers complete coverage of the C++ programming language. It provides all the tools necessary for experienced and novice programmers to master C++, including: thorough coverage of the Standard Template Library; complete and fully executable code throughout; sections highlighting programming tips and common pitfalls; and a logical order of coverage of C++ topics in order for students to better understand the language. This book is appropriate for introductory courses covering the C++ language, intermediate programming courses introducing C++ to students familiar with another language and will act as a total reference beyond a student's coursework.

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is a currently popular and powerful programming technique. The main characteristics of OOP are encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. Encapsulation is a form of information hiding or abstraction. Inheritance has to do with writing reusable code. Polymorphism refers to a way that a single name can have multiple meanings in the context of inheritance. Having made those statements, we must admit that they will hold little meaning for readers who have not heard of OOP before. However, we will describe all these terms in detail later in this book. C++ accommodates OOP by providing classes, a kind of data type combining both data and algorithms. C++ is not what some authorities would call a “pure OOP language.” C++ tempers its OOP features with concerns for efficiency and what some might call “practicality.” This combination has made C++ currently the most widely used OOP language, although not all of its usage strictly follows the OOP philosophy.