This text is designed for any first course in computer science that uses C++ as the major programming language. It adopts and exploits the best features of C++ in studying programming, program design and construction, and computer science. String and vector classes are used rather than pointer-based implementations that are more C-based. Versions of all the programs used in the book are available for Mac, DOS and Unix machines. The software is currently available on the Internet; both via anonymous ftp and on the WWW.