C++ is a general-purpose programming language that was developed as an

enhancement of the C language to include object-oriented paradigm. It is an

imperative and a compiled language.
1. C++ is a high-level, general-purpose programming language
designed for system and application programming. It was developed
by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs in 1983 as an extension of the C
programming language. C++ is an object-oriented, multi-paradigm
language that supports procedural, functional, and generic
programming styles.
2. One of the key features of C++ is its ability to support low-level,
system-level programming, making it suitable for developing
operating systems, device drivers, and other system software. At the
same time, C++ also provides a rich set of libraries and features for
high-level application programming, making it a popular choice for
developing desktop applications, video games, and other complex
applications.
3. C++ has a large, active community of developers and users, and a
wealth of resources and tools available for learning and using the
language. Some of the key features of C++ include:
4. Object-Oriented Programming: C++ supports object-oriented
programming, allowing developers to create classes and objects and
to define methods and properties for these objects.
5. Templates: C++ templates allow developers to write generic code
that can work with any data type, making it easier to write reusable
and flexible code.
6. Standard Template Library (STL): The STL provides a wide range of
containers and algorithms for working with data, making it easier to
write efficient and effective code.
7. Exception Handling: C++ provides robust exception handling
capabilities, making it easier to write code that can handle errors and
unexpected situations.
Overall, C++ is a powerful and versatile programming language that is widely
used for a range of applications and is well-suited for both low-level system
programming and high-level application development.
C++ is a middle-level language rendering it the advantage of programming
low-level (drivers, kernels) and even higher-level applications (games, GUI,
desktop apps etc.). The basic syntax and code structure of both C and C++ are
the same.
Some of the features & key-points to note about the programming language
are as follows:
• Simple: It is a simple language in the sense that programs can be
broken down into logical units and parts, has a rich library support
and a variety of data-types.
• Machine Independent but Platform Dependent: A C++ executable is
not platform-independent (compiled programs on Linux won’t run on
Windows), however they are machine independent.
• Mid-level language: It is a mid-level language as we can do both
systems-programming (drivers, kernels, networking etc.) and build
large-scale user applications (Media Players, Photoshop, Game
Engines etc.)
• Rich library support: Has a rich library support (Both standard ~
built-in data structures, algorithms etc.) as well 3rd party libraries
(e.g. Boost libraries) for fast and rapid development.
• Speed of execution: C++ programs excel in execution speed. Since, it
is a compiled language, and also hugely procedural. Newer
languages have extra in-built default features such as garbage-
collection, dynamic typing etc. which slow the execution of the
program overall. Since there is no additional processing overhead like
this in C++, it is blazing fast.
• Pointer and direct Memory-Access: C++ provides pointer support
which aids users to directly manipulate storage address. This helps in
doing low-level programming (where one might need to have explicit
control on the storage of variables).
• Object-Oriented: One of the strongest points of the language which
sets it apart from C. Object-Oriented support helps C++ to make
maintainable and extensible programs. i.e. Large-scale applications
can be built. Procedural code becomes difficult to maintain as code-
size grows.
• Compiled Language: C++ is a compiled language, contributing to its
speed.
Applications of C++:
C++ finds varied usage in applications such as:
 • Operating Systems & Systems Programming. e.g. Linux-based OS
(Ubuntu etc.)
• Browsers (Chrome & Firefox)
• Graphics & Game engines (Photoshop, Blender, Unreal-Engine)
• Database Engines (MySQL, MongoDB, Redis etc.)
• Cloud/Distributed Systems
Here are some key points to keep in mind while working with C++:
1. Object-Oriented Programming: C++ is an object-oriented
programming language, which means that it allows you to define
classes and objects to model real-world entities and their behavior.
2. Strong Type System: C++ has a strong type system, which means
that variables have a specific type and that type must be respected in
all operations performed on that variable.
3. Low-level Access: C++ provides low-level access to system
resources, which makes it a suitable choice for system programming
and writing efficient code.
4. Standard Template Library (STL): The STL provides a large set of pre-
written algorithms and data structures that can be used to simplify
your code and make it more efficient.
5. Cross-platform Compatibility: C++ can be compiled and run on
multiple platforms, including Windows, MacOS, and Linux, making it
a versatile language for developing cross-platform applications.
6. Performance: C++ is a compiled language, which means that code is
transformed into machine code before it is executed. This can result in
faster execution times and improved performance compared to
interpreted languages like Python.
7. Memory Management: C++ requires manual memory management,
which can lead to errors if not done correctly. However, this also
provides more control over the program’s memory usage and can
result in more efficient memory usage.
8. Syntax: C++ has a complex syntax that can be difficult to learn,
especially for beginners. However, with practice and experience, it
becomes easier to understand and work with.
These are some of the key points to keep in mind when working with C++. By
understanding these concepts, you can make informed decisions and write
effective code in this language.
Advantages of C++:
1. Performance: C++ is a compiled language, which means that its code
is compiled into machine-readable code, making it one of the fastest
programming languages.
2. Object-Oriented Programming: C++ supports object-oriented
programming, which makes it easier to write and maintain large,
complex applications.
3. Standard Template Library (STL): The STL provides a wide range of
algorithms and data structures for working with data, making it easier
to write efficient and effective code.
4. Machine Independent: C++ is not tied to any hardware or processor. If
the compiler compiles the program in the system, it will be able to
run no matter what the hardware is.
5. Large Community: C++ has a large, active community of developers
and users, providing a wealth of resources and support for learning
and using the language.
Disadvantages of C++:
1. Steep Learning Curve: C++ can be challenging to learn, especially for
beginners, due to its complexity and the number of concepts that
need to be understood.
2. Verbose Syntax: C++ has a verbose syntax, which can make code
longer and more difficult to read and maintain.
3. Error-Prone: C++ provides low-level access to system resources,
which can lead to subtle errors that are difficult to detect and fix.
Reference Books:
1. “The C++ Programming Language” by Bjarne Stroustrup
2. “Effective C++: 55 Specific Ways to Improve Your Programs and
Designs” by Scott Meyers
3. “C++ Primer Plus” by Stephen Prata
4. “C++ For Dummies” by Stephen R. Davis
5. “Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis in C++” by Mark Allen
Weiss
Some interesting facts about C++:
Here are some awesome facts about C++ that may interest you:
6. The name of C++ signifies the evolutionary nature of the changes
from C. “++” is the C increment operator.
7. C++ is one of the predominant languages for the development of all
kind of technical and commercial software.
8. C++ introduces Object-Oriented Programming, not present in C. Like
other things, C++ supports the four primary features of OOP:
encapsulation, polymorphism, abstraction, and inheritance.
9. C++ got the OOP features from Simula67 Programming language.
10. A function is a minimum requirement for a C++ program to run.(at
least main() function)