C++ is both, interesting, and confusing. It is a truly challenging language to learn for beginners. However, it is equally programmer-friendly, once you get used to it. The dilemma always is to figure out whether to learn the Object Oriented technology concepts, or the C++ syntax, first. Many people lose motivation because they cannot find the correct answer to this question.

What Hubbard has done is fairly simple. He makes no secret of teaching C++ syntax first. Only when the reader is comfortable, the Object Oriented technology concepts are brought to the fore. Some people may not like this approach. However, in many situations, this seems to have been working out better. In case the reader wants to get familiar with the Object Oriented technology concepts in parallel, or before learning C++, the reader is encouraged to take a look at my book titled Object Oriented Analysis and Design (Tata McGraw-Hill, 2004).

I need to thank many people, who have inspired me in several ways and have stood behind me like a rock. My parents (Dr. Meena and Dr. Shashikant Kahate), my wife Anita, and my children (Jui and Harsh) stand out for their love, encouragement, support, patience, and persistence. My inlaws, seniors and colleagues at i-flex, and students at many colleges are a source of inspiration at all times. Many thanks to authors like Andrew Tanenbaum, Douglas Comer, Behrouz Forouzan, Bruce Schneier, and Herbert Schildt, who constantly keep reminding that explaining complex subjects can actually be the simplest of things!

I would like to thank V Shankar for his constant encouragement and a lively foreword to this book.

I would like to thank the team at Tata McGraw-Hill, comprising of Vibha Mahajan, Jacob Alexander, and Mini Narayanan for the fantastic quality of the contents and the high production quality of the book.

I would be eager to hear from you at akahate@indiatimes.com. All kinds of feedback and suggestions are welcome.

ATUL KAHATE