Welcome to C++—a powerful computer programming language that’s appropriate for technically oriented people with little or no programming experience, and for experienced programmers to use in building substantial information systems. You’re already familiar with the powerful tasks computers perform. Using this textbook, you’ll write instructions commanding computers to perform those kinds of tasks. Software (i.e., the instructions you write) controls hardware (i.e., computers).

You’ll learn object-oriented programming—today’s key programming methodology. You’ll create many software objects that model things in the real world.

C++ is one of today’s most popular software development languages. This text provides an introduction to programming in C++11 and C++14—the latest versions standardized through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

As of 2008 there were more than a billion general-purpose computers in use. Today, various websites say that number is approximately two billion, and according to the real-time tracker at gsmaintelligence.com, there are now more mobile devices than there are people in the world. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), the number of mobile Internet users will top two billion in 2016.1 Smartphone sales surpassed personal computer sales in 2011.2 Tablet sales were expected to overtake personal-computer sales by 2015.3 By 2017, the smartphone/tablet app market is expected to exceed $77 billion.4 This explosive growth is creating significant opportunities for programming mobile applications.