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.
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Here are some simple C++ code examples to help you understand the language:
#include <iostream> int main() { std::cout << "Hello, World!" << std::endl; return 0;} |
How to work C++ ?
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.
Applications of C++:
Applications of C++:
- 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
Some key points to keep in mind while working with C++:
- 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 behaviour.
- 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.
- Low-level Access: C++ provides low-level access to system resources, which makes it a suitable choice for system programming and writing efficient code.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Advantages of C++:
- 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.
- Object-Oriented Programming: C++ supports object-oriented programming, which makes it easier to write and maintain large, complex applications.
- 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.
- Platform Independent: C++ is a platform-independent language, meaning that code written in C++ can be compiled and run on a wide range of platforms, from desktop computers to mobile devices.
- 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++:
- 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.
- Verbose Syntax: C++ has a verbose syntax, which can make code longer and more difficult to read and maintain.
- 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:
- “The C++ Programming Language” by Bjarne Stroustrup
- “Effective C++: 55 Specific Ways to Improve Your Programs and Designs” by Scott Meyers
- “C++ Primer Plus” by Stephen Prata
- “C++ For Dummies” by Stephen R. Davis
- “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: - The name of C++ signifies the evolutionary nature of the changes from C. “++” is the C increment operator.
- C++ is one of the predominant languages for the development of all kind of technical and commercial software.
- 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.
- C++ got the OOP features from Simula67 Programming language.
- A function is a minimum requirement for a C++ program to run.(at least main() function)
C++ for Specific Applications
| Domain | Applications |
|---|---|
| Game Development | Game Engines, Graphics Programming, Physics Simulations |
| Systems Programming | Operating Systems, Device Drivers, Kernel Components |
| Embedded Systems and IoT | Real-time Control, Microcontrollers, IoT Devices |
| Scientific and Numerical Computing | Numerical Algorithms, Simulation, Data Analysis |
C++ FAQs
C++ features include classes and objects, inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation, templates, operator overloading, exception handling, and the Standard Template Library (STL) for data structures and algorithms.
C++ extends C by adding OOP capabilities, like classes and objects. It also provides features such as function overloading, operator overloading, and templates
You declare a class using the class keyword, followed by the class name and its member variables and functions within curly braces.
A constructor is a special member function that gets called when an object of a class is created. It initializes the object’s member variables and allocates resources if needed.
Function overloading allows you to define multiple functions with the same name but different parameter lists. The appropriate function is called based on the arguments passed.
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