Early Development
1979: C++ was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs. Initially, it was an
extension of the C programming language, aimed at adding object-oriented features.
The first version was called "C with Classes."
The name "C++" reflects its evolution from the C programming language. The "C" part signifies
its foundation in C, while the "++" is a nod to the increment operator in C, symbolizing an
enhancement or an increase in capability. Essentially, the name suggests that C++ is "one
better than C," highlighting its improvements, particularly in object-oriented programming
features. This clever naming captures the idea of progression and development from C to a
more advanced language.
C++ has undergone several standardizations and updates since its inception. Here’s a brief
timeline of key versions and their replacements:
C with Classes (1979): The initial version developed by Bjarne Stroustrup.
C++ (1983): The language was officially named C++.
C++98 (1998): The first official ISO standard, replacing earlier versions.
C++03 (2003): A minor revision to address bugs in C++98, not a complete replacement
but an update.
C++11 (2011): A major revision that introduced many new features, effectively
replacing C++03.
C++14 (2014): A small update to C++11, refining and adding minor features.
C++17 (2017): Another significant update, replacing C++14 with more substantial
enhancements.
C++20 (2020): A major revision that introduced numerous new features and concepts.
C++23 (2023): The latest standard, further evolving the language.
1. Preprocessor Directives
These are commands that provide instructions to the compiler before the actual compilation
starts. Common directives include:
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#include <iostream> // Includes the standard input-output stream library
#define PI 3.14 // Defines a constant
2. Namespace Declaration
Namespaces are used to organize code and avoid name conflicts. The standard namespace is
often used:
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using namespace std;
3. Function Declarations
You can declare functions before defining them, specifying their return types and parameters:
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void myFunction(int a); // Declaration
4. Main Function
Every C++ program must have a main function, which serves as the entry point:
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int main() {
// Code goes here
return 0; // Exit status
}
5. Variable Declarations
Variables can be declared within the main function or other functions:
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int num; // Integer variable
float average; // Floating-point variable
6. Control Structures
C++ supports various control structures, such as if statements, loops, and switch statements:
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if (num > 0) {
cout << "Positive";
} else {
cout << "Non-positive";
}
7. Function Definitions
Functions can be defined after the main function or in separate files:
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void myFunction(int a) {
cout << "Value: " << a;
}
8. Classes and Objects
C++ is an object-oriented language, so defining classes is common:
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class MyClass {
public:
int data;
void display() {
cout << data;
}
};
9. Comments
Comments are essential for documenting code:
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// This is a single-line comment
/*
This is a
multi-line comment
*/
Example Structure
Here’s a simple example that includes all these components:
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#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
void greet() {
cout << "Hello, World!" << endl;
}
int main() {
greet();
return 0;
}
