Beginning C++20: From Novice to Professional by Ivor Horton – A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Modern C++ Programming

Introduction

Learning a programming language as powerful as C++ can feel overwhelming without the right guide. Beginning C++20: From Novice to Professional by Ivor Horton removes that intimidation factor, taking readers from absolutely no prior programming experience through to writing confident, modern C++ programs using the latest C++20 standard.

Book Overview

Horton structures the book around clear, working code examples rather than abstract theory, so every concept is demonstrated in a program readers can actually run and modify. This edition has been fully updated to reflect C++20, incorporating major new language features including modules, concepts, ranges, and the spaceship operator, along with the conventions and best practices that define modern C++ development. Free downloadable source code and exercise solutions accompany every chapter, letting readers learn by doing rather than simply reading.

Key Highlights

• Written by Ivor Horton, a respected author of programming guides
• Fully updated to the C++20 standard and modern best practices
• Covers new C++20 features including modules, concepts and ranges
• Assumes no prior programming knowledge whatsoever
• Every concept illustrated with working, runnable code examples
• Includes exercises in every chapter to test understanding
• Free downloadable source code and exercise solutions provided
• Covers object-oriented programming including inheritance and polymorphism

Inside the Book

The book begins with the fundamentals of program structure, variables, arrays, loops and pointers before progressively introducing more advanced material such as writing custom functions, types and operators, and the essentials of object-oriented programming, including overloading, inheritance, virtual functions and polymorphism. Later chapters cover generic programming with function and class templates, made safer through the new concepts feature, along with containers, algorithms and ranges from the C++ Standard Library.

Key Topics

Readers will work through modular programming techniques enabled by C++20 modules, memory and reference handling through pointers and references, string manipulation, exception handling, move semantics, lambda expressions, and the use of auto type declarations for cleaner, more maintainable code. Each topic is reinforced with exercises designed to test genuine understanding rather than simple recall.

Reader Benefits

• Learn C++ programming from true beginner level with no prior experience assumed.
• Understand the newest C++20 features, including modules, concepts and ranges.
• Practice with working code examples and exercises in every chapter.
• Access free downloadable source code and exercise solutions.
• Build a solid foundation in object-oriented and generic programming.
• Develop skills aligned with current, professional C++ coding conventions.

Learning Outcomes

By working through this book, readers will be able to write, compile and debug real C++ programs, apply object-oriented design principles confidently, use templates and concepts to write safer generic code, and take advantage of the C++ Standard Library's containers and algorithms. The exercises and free source code help translate reading into genuine, hands-on programming skill.

Who Should Read

• Complete beginners with no prior programming background.
• Programmers from other languages wanting a structured introduction to C++.
• Computer science students studying C++ as part of their coursework.
• Self-taught developers seeking a refresher on modern C++20 features.
• Software engineers preparing to work on C++ codebases professionally.

About the Author

Ivor Horton is a widely respected programming author known for his clear, example-driven teaching style across multiple editions of his C and C++ programming guides. His books have introduced generations of programmers to these languages by focusing on practical, working code rather than dense theoretical explanation.

About the Publisher

This book is published by Apress, a publisher specialising in high-quality technical and programming books for developers, students and IT professionals worldwide.

Conclusion

Beginning C++20: From Novice to Professional is a thorough, practical roadmap for anyone wanting to genuinely learn modern C++ programming. With its clear explanations, working examples and up-to-date coverage of the C++20 standard, it equips readers to move confidently from their first program to real, professional-level coding.