C++ Introduction

C++ is one of the most powerful and widely used programming languages in the world with an estimated 4.4 million developers worldwide. Known for its performance and efficiency, C++ is the backbone of many important systems like operating systems, game engines, and applications. Learning C++ is a great skill to have as a programmer and will equip you with the knowledge needed for many tech roles.

What Is C++

C++ is a high-level, general purpose programming language. C++ was developed in the early 1980’s as an extension of the C programming language by adding object-oriented features. There are many key characteristics of C++, including:

• Object-Oriented: C++ supports object-oriented programming (OOP) which allows developers to create reusable and maintainable code.
• Performance: C++ has a very high performance and low-level memory manipulation capabilities.
• Portability: C++ can be compiled and ran on practically all platforms.
• Rich Standard Library: C++ has an extensive library of data structures, algorithms, and utilities.

Basic Structure Of C++

C++ programs are composed of functions, with every application starting from the main() function.

cppCopy code
#include <iostream>

int main(){
	std::cout << "Hello, World!" << std::endl;
	return 0;
}

Syntax Breakdown:

• #include <iostream>
  • The <iostream> directive includes the Input and Output stream library, which allows std::cout to print to the console.
• int main()
  • The main() function is the starting point of the C++ program.
• std::cout << "Hello, World!" << std::endl;
  • This line prints Hello, World! with the std::cout statement and ends the line with the std::endl statement.
• return 0
  • Returns 0 to the operating system, ending the main() function.

Conclusion

In this guide, we went over the basics of C++. Learning C++ will allow you to build powerful programs while keeping memory storage low, and will also give you an advantage when searching for roles as a programmer since many companies use C++. We will discuss more advanced topics in further detail throughout the C++ section.