For many years, C++ has served as the de facto language for writing fast, powerful, and enterprise- class object-oriented programs. As popular as C++ has become, the language is surprisingly dif cult to grasp in full. There are simple, but powerful, techniques that professional C++ programmers use that don’t show up in traditional texts, and there are useful parts of C++ that remain a mystery even to experienced C++ programmers. Too often, programming books focus on the syntax of the language instead of its real-world use. The t ypical C++ text introduces a major part of the language in each chapter, explaining the syntax and providing an example. Professional C++ does not follow this pattern. Instead of giving you just the nuts and bolts of the language with little practical context, this book will teach you how to use C++ in the real world. It will show you the little-known features that will make your life easier, and the programming techniques that separate novices from professional programmers.