Introduction

Abstract

The programming language C became popular because of its close association with the operating system UNIX, because of its portability and because it allows low level programming tasks. C is however quite an old language with some awkward features and a lack of rigour, which have led to the development of C++. Originally C++ was written as an extension to C, but these extensions are major, so that C++ can stand as a language in its own right, although it remains a superset of C. It will probably become a preferred language as it has the same areas of applicability of C, but is a better language with which to program. One reason for this is that C++ allows the user to implement directly programs that are designed using object-oriented methods. One aim of this book is to teach the reader about these methods, the features of C++, and how to use them.