FAQ 5.01 What is the purpose of this chapter?

To explain fundamental OO concepts.

C++ is a huge language that can be used in many ways. The preceding chapters on management and architectural perspectives limit the ways the language is used, which makes life simpler for developers and maintainers. This chapter further limits the ways in which the language can be (mis)used.

In this book, we assume an OO approach and the C++ presentation reflects this bias. Some readers will need a refresher on OO concepts, and others need to become familiar with our terminology. Hence this chapter presents the basic OO ideas and philosophies that are used throughout the book. Don't take this to mean that all programs must use OO (they don't) or that "C++ as a better C" has no place in life (it does).