This is a book about multi-threaded programming - it could well be subtitled How to write computer programs tllat do lots of different tlrings all at once. A multi-threaded application contains many separate tlrreads of execution all running concurrently and each assigned to its own particular task - the individual tasks are typically simple but the combination can be very powerful. Multi-threading therefore engenders a divide-and-conquer strategy which allows complex monoliths to be broken up into more manageable chunks. Indeed multi-threading is perhaps the most exciting addition to the software engineers toolkit since tlle advent of object-oriented programming, another topic about which tlris book has a lot to say. Multi-threading and object orientation are wonderful companions - e++ allows tlle basic building blocks for multi-threaded programming to be neatly packaged as objects whilst multi-threading techniques can be applied to transform objects from passive repositories of functionality into active entities that perform their own internal processing independently of external code. A general background in computing is assumed as well as familiarity with the C language and a basic knowledge of C++ would also be helpful - the more useful facets of the C++ language are introduced on a need-to-know basis but for a fuller exposition than is possible here the reader is advised to rush out and buy the book Programming in C++ (ISBN 0859344355).