From: moreno_news@mailinator.com   
      
   >> code as follows is from "Teach Yourself C++in 21 Days " by J. Liberty:   
   >   
   > First let me say that IMO this is a truly dreadful piece of C++ code :)   
   > and if it really is from that book I would take the book back and demand   
   > my money back as the book is unfit for purpose. I am serious, until   
   > readers refuse to accept junk books publishers will continue to print   
   > them. The code you show works and that is the only thing that can be   
   > said for it. It is not how any programmer, novice or expert should write   
   > it even as a tutorial. How will newcomers acquire good coding habits if   
   > they are presented with such poor examples to follow?   
      
   I have to strongly agree with this comment and sentiment.   
      
   But then, Francis:  really, what else could you expect from a   
   book that includes "in 21 Days" in its title ?!!!   
      
   For the OP:  Do take the book back and demand your money.   
      
   After having done that, I recommend that you take a look at   
   Peter Norvig's excellent essay "Teach Yourself Programming   
   in Ten Years" --- should be enlightening !!  :-)   
      
   Cheers,   
      
   Carlos   
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