Essential C++

C++ is rapidly becoming one of the most important programming languages in the world. Yet it is an extremely complex language and, therefore, one that is very difficult to learn. To provide a significant degree of simplification and, thereby, to help alleviate the difficulties of learning the language, a relatively small C++ subset, Essential C++, has been defined. It is proposed for use by the computer science academic community as a suitable first programming language for students as well as for use by other individuals who desire eventually to become software developers using the full C++ language.After supporting the case for the need of a C++ subset and discussing the reasons for developing one, this article presents Essential C++, provides the rationale for selecting its particular constituents from the full C++ language, and then examines the advantages and disadvantages of using Essential C++.