The book introduces the reader to computer programming, i.e. algorithms and data structures.
It covers many new programming concepts that have emerged in recent years including object-oriented programming and design patterns.
The book emphasizes the practical aspects of software construction without neglecting their solid theoretical foundation.
To explain the principles, concepts and methods, the component-oriented programming language Component Pascal is used, supported by the development environment BlackBox Component Builder.
The book has been class tested and refined for many years. It is designed to be easy to teach and to learn from, having 229 illustrations, 18 tables, 170 numbered exercises, and 403 exercises and problems.

Dr. J. Stanley Warford has industrial experience as an aerospace engineer, has taught for more than twenty-five years at the university level, and has written several computer science books. He is currently Professor of Computer Science at Pepperdine University, where he received the Luckman Award for outstanding teaching.