C++'s output operator, <<, provides you with a convenient, easy-to-use way to get information out of your programs, especially when you exploit C++'s overloading feature. The output operator is not so helpful, however, when you want to exercise a great deal of control over just how information is displayed. Read this chapter if you want to learn what to do when you want such control; skip it if you are interested only in C++'s distinguishing features, because the features described in this chapter come directly from C.