The real challenge of programming isn't learning a language's syntax?it's learning to creatively solve problems so you can build something great. In this one-of-a-kind text, author V. Anton Spraul breaks down the ways that programmers solve problems and teaches you what other introductory books often ignore: how to <i>Think Like a Programmer</i>. Each chapter tackles a single programming concept, like classes, pointers, and recursion, and open-ended exercises throughout challenge you to apply your knowledge. <br /> <br />You'll also learn how to: <br />?Split problems into discrete components to make them easier to solve <br />?Make the most of code reuse with functions, classes, and libraries <br />?Pick the perfect data structure for a particular job <br />?Master more advanced programming tools like recursion and dynamic memory <br />?Organize your thoughts and develop strategies to tackle particular types of problems <br /> <br />Although the book's examples are written in C++, the creative problem-solving concepts they illustrate go beyond any particular language; in fact, they often reach outside the realm of computer science. As the most skillful programmers know, writing great code is a creative art?and the first step in creating your masterpiece is learning to <i>Think Like a Programmer</i>.