This accessible text emphasizes problem-solving techniques using the C++ language, with coverage that develops strong problem-solving skills using problem abstraction and stepwise refinement through the “Programmer's Algorithm.” Staugaard first emphasizes the structured (procedural) paradigm, then gradually advances to the object-oriented paradigm—using object-oriented programming “seed topics.” This approach prepares students for in-depth coverage of classes and objects presented later in the text, while building essential structured programming concepts.