This text investigates the pedagogical effectiveness of teaching computer science by prioritizing the consumption of existing classes before the creation of new ones. Owen L. Astrachan, a computer science educator, utilizes this framework to bridge the gap between basic syntax and complex object-oriented design. The book argues that students gain a more robust understanding of software engineering principles when they first interact with pre-built libraries and class structures in C++.

Experts recognize this text as a structured approach to early computer science education that emphasizes abstraction. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is designed for formal classroom instruction rather than casual self-study.