Why C++ is not just an Object-Oriented Programming Language

C++ directly supports a variety of programming styles. In this, C++ deliber-

ately differs from languages designed to support a single way of writing pro-

grams. This paper briefly presents key programming styles directly supported by

C++ and argues that the support for multiple styles is one of its major strengths.

The styles presented include: traditional C-style, concrete classes, abstract

classes, traditional class hierarchies, abstract classes and class hierarchies, and

generic programming. To provide a context for this overview, I discuss criteria

for a reasonable and useful definition of ‘‘object-oriented programming.’’

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