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2 C++ For Dummies, 5th EditionWhat’s on the CDThe CD-ROM included with C++ For Dummies contains the source code for theexamples in this book. This can spare you considerable typing.Your computer can’t execute these or any other C++ program directly. You haveto run your C++ programs through a C++ development environment, whichspits out an executable program. (Don’t worry, this procedure is explained inChapter 1.)The programs in C++ For Dummies are compatible with any standard C++ environment,but don’t worry if you don’t already own one. A full-featured C++ environmentknown as Dev-C++ is contained on the enclosed CD-ROM. You can usethis tool to write your own C++ programs as well as explore the programs fromthe book.No worries if you already own Visual Studio.NET. Some people need an introductionto C++ before going into the many features offered by .NET. C++ ForDummies is just as happy with Visual Studio as it is with its own Dev-C++. C++For Dummies does not contain Visual Studio.NET. However, the programs in thebook have been tested for compatibility with the industry standard “unmanagedC++” portion of Visual Studio.NET.What Is C++?C++ is an object-oriented, low-level ANSI and ISO standard programming language.As a low-level language similar to and compatible with its predecessorC, C++ can generate very efficient, very fast programs.As an object-oriented language, C++ has the power and extensibility to writelarge-scale programs. C++ is one of the most popular programming languagesfor all types of programs. Most of the programs you use on your PC every dayare written in C++.C++ has been certified as a 99.9 percent pure standard. This makes it a portablelanguage. There is a C++ compiler for every major operating system, and theyall support the same C++ language. (Some operating systems support extensionsto the basic language, but all support the C++ core.)Conventions Used in This BookWhen I describe a message or information that you see onscreen, it appearslike this: