This text serves as a comprehensive tutorial for mastering the features and programming standards of the C++ language. Authors Stanley Lippman and Josee Lajoie leverage their combined expertise—Lippman’s practical industry experience and Lajoie’s intimate knowledge of the ANSI/ISO C++ standards—to provide a structured learning path. The book focuses on the transition to Standard C++, emphasizing the design of generic and object-oriented programs through practical application.

Experts and developers frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the mechanics of the C++ language. Readers often note the technical density of the prose, which is balanced by the inclusion of numerous illustrative programming examples.