C++: The Complete Reference

pieces--the C foundation and the C++-specific features--achieves three major benefits:
1. The dividing line between C and C++ is clearly delineated.
2. Readers already familiar with C can easily find the C++-specific information.
3. It provides a convenient place in which to discuss those features of C++ that
relate mostly to the C subset.
Understanding the dividing line between C and C++ is important because both are
widely used languages and it is very likely that you will be called upon to write or
maintain both C and C++ code. When working on C code, you need to know where C
ends and C++ begins. Many C++ programmers will, from time to time, be required to
write code that is limited to the "C subset." This will be especially true for embedded
systems programming and the maintenance of existing applications. Knowing the
difference between C and C++ is simply part of being a top-notch professional C++
programmer.
A clear understanding of C is also valuable when converting C code into C++. To
do this in a professional manner, a solid knowledge of C is required. For example,
without a thorough understanding of the C I/O system, it is not possible to efficiently
convert an I/O-intensive C program into C++.
Many readers already know C. Covering the C-like features of C++ in their own
section makes it easier for the experienced C programmer to quickly and easily find
information about C++ without having to wade through reams of information that he
or she already knows. Of course, throughout Part One, any minor differences between
C and C++ are noted. Also, separating the C foundation from the more advanced,
object-oriented features of C++ makes it possible to tightly focus on those advanced
features because all of the basics will have already been discussed.
Although C++ contains the entire C language, not all of the features provided by
the C language are commonly used when writing "C++-style" programs. For example,
the C I/O system is still available to the C++ programmer even though C++ defines its
own, object-oriented version. The preprocessor is another example. The preprocessor is
very important to C, but less so to C++. Discussing several of the "C-only" features in
Part One prevents them from cluttering up the remainder of the book.
The C subset described in Part One constitutes the core of C++ and the foundation
upon which C++'s object-oriented features are built. All the features described here
are part of C++ and available for your use.
Part One of this book is adapted from my book C: The Complete Reference
(Osborne/McGraw-Hill). If you are particularly interested in C, you will find this
book helpful.
2
C + + : T h e C o m p l e t e R e f e r e n c e
Note