I'm starting out in C++ and I just had some opinion-based-on-experience questions.

1.) What is the benefit of single inheritance over multiple
inheritance?
2.) What is the best way to avoid multiple inheritance if necessary?
3.) What are some real-world guidelines for choosing containers?
Mainly between vectors, linked lists, and deques.

Thanx for any help you can provide.

Good questions. I unleash my hordes of answers with at least aspirations of goodness.

1) I think the main benefit is simplicity. Why would you want to worry about sorting out which of several implementations of the same method are inherited when you don't have to? Single inheritance also corresponds with the popular idea of a tree structure and distinct, simple categories from math and the like.

2) There is never any need to use it, really. For one thing, you can always avoid classes altogether with non-OO languages, so of course you can live without multiple inheritance! :-D You can also take the example of Java. In it, you can inherit from one class and as many interfaces as you want. Interfaces just specify which methods must be present without giving code for them or specifying any class fields. Thus, you indicate that you are building upon another class, while still allowing for you to make your object a valid parameter to methods that require implementations of any interfaces that you need.

3) The first point to make is that a deque does not fit in the same category as the first two. It can actually be implemented with either a vector or linked list, so I'll keep it out of the discussion. :-) The main thing with vectors and lists is this: It generally takes more effort and runtime to insert and delete elements from a vector than from a linked list. However, it takes a lot more time to access an element based just on its index number in the sequence for a linked list versus a vector. Consider which of these types of operations you will perform more when choosing the appropriate data structure.

Thanks for your help Psion. I haven't really looked into Java but I'm interested from things I've heard recently. Any suggestions on resources/reference that have helped anyone?

http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/
You don't need anything else.

Psion: Do you spend your days with a sign around your neck on street corners that says "Use Java, I do, and look at what a success I am!"

Hey hey, Java's fun!

And Lordaerom brings Psion a drink every half an hour, so he doesn't get thirsty on that street corner.

And I wear a sign that says 'I used Java before Psion thought it was swell'!