What is C++?
C++ is a cross-platform language that can be used to create high-performance
applications.
C++ was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup, as an extension to the C language.
C++ gives programmers a high level of control over system resources and
memory.
The language was updated 5 major times in 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2023
to C++11, C++14, C++17, C++20, and C++23
Why Use C++
C++ is one of the world's most popular programming languages.
C++ can be found in today's operating systems, Graphical User Interfaces, and
embedded systems.
C++ is an object-oriented programming language which gives a clear structure
to programs and allows code to be reused, lowering development costs.
C++ is portable and can be used to develop applications that can be adapted to
multiple platforms.
C++ is fun and easy to learn!
As C++ is close to C, C# and Java, it makes it easy for programmers to switch to
C++ or vice versa.
Difference between C and C++
C++ was developed as an extension of C, and both languages have almost the
same syntax.
The main difference between C and C++ is that C++ support classes and
objects, while C does not.
C++ Get Started
To start using C++, you need two things:
A text editor, like Notepad, to write C++ code
A compiler, like GCC, to translate the C++ code into a language that the
computer will understand
There are many text editors and compilers to choose from. In this tutorial, we
will use an IDE (see below).
C++ Install IDE
An IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is used to edit AND compile the
code.
Popular IDE's include Code::Blocks, Eclipse, and Visual Studio. These are all free,
and they can be used to both edit and debug C++ code.
Note: Web-based IDE's can work as well, but functionality is limited.
We will use Code::Blocks in our tutorial, which we believe is a good place to
start.
You can find the latest version of Codeblocks at http://www.codeblocks.org/.
Download the mingw-setup.exe file, which will install the text editor with a
compiler.
C++ Quickstart
Let's create our first C++ file.
Open Codeblocks and go to File > New > Empty File.
Write the following C++ code and save the file as myfirstprogram.cpp (File >
Save File as):
My Frist Program
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
cout << "Hello World!";
return 0;
}
C++ Syntax
Let's break up the following code to understand it better:
Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
cout << "Hello World!";
return 0;
}
Example explained
Line 1: #include <iostream> is a header file library that lets us work
with input and output objects, such as cout (used in line 5). Header files add
functionality to C++ programs.
Line 2: using namespace std means that we can use names for objects
and variables from the standard library.
Don't worry if you don't understand how #include <iostream> and using
namespace std works. Just think of it as something that (almost) always
appears in your program.
Line 3: A blank line. C++ ignores white space. But we use it to make the
code more readable.
Line 4: Another thing that always appear in a C++ program is int main().
This is called a function. Any code inside its curly brackets {} will be
executed.
Line 5: cout (pronounced "see-out") is an object used together with
the insertion operator (<<) to output/print text. In our example, it will output
"Hello World!".
Note: C++ is case-sensitive: "cout" and "Cout" has different meaning.
Note: Every C++ statement ends with a semicolon ;.
Note: The body of int main() could also been written as:
int main () { cout << "Hello World! "; return 0; }
Remember: The compiler ignores white spaces. However, multiple lines
makes the code more readable.
Line 6: return 0; ends the main function.
Line 7: Do not forget to add the closing curly bracket } to actually end the
main function.
Omitting Namespace
You might see some C++ programs that runs without the
standard namespace library. The using namespace
std line can be omitted and replaced with
the std keyword, followed by the :: operator for some
objects:
Example
#include <iostream>
int main() {
std::cout << "Hello World!";
return 0;
}
C++ Statements
A computer program is a list of "instructions" to be "executed"
by a computer.
In a programming language, these programming instructions are
called statements.
The following statement "instructs" the compiler to print the text
"Hello World" to the screen:
Example
cout << "Hello World!";
Many Statements
Most C++ programs contain many statements.
The statements are executed, one by one, in the same order as they are
written:
Example
cout << "Hello World!";
cout << "Have a good day!";
return 0;
Example explained
From the example above, we have three statements:
1. cout << "Hello World!";
2. cout << "Have a good day!";
3. return 0;
The first statement is executed first (print "Hello World!" to the screen).
Then the second statement is executed (print "Have a good day!" to the
screen).
And at last, the third statement is executed (end the C++ program
successfully).
C++ Output (Print Text)
The cout object, together with the << operator, is used to output values and print
text.
Just remember to surround the text with double quotes ( ""):
Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
cout << "Hello World!";
return 0;
}
