Jul 9, 2023

C++ Overview

Introduction to C++ Programming Language

C++ is a statically typed, compiled, general-purpose, case-sensitive, free-form programming language that supports procedural, object-oriented, and generic programming.

C++ is regarded as a middle-level language, as it comprises a combination of both high-level and low-level language features.

C++ was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup starting in 1979 at Bell Labs in Murray Hill, New Jersey, as an enhancement to the C language and originally named C with Classes but later it was renamed C++ in 1983.

C++ is a superset of C, and that virtually any legal C program is a legal C++ program.

Note − A programming language is said to use static typing when type checking is performed during compile-time as opposed to run-time.

Object-Oriented Programming

C++ fully supports object-oriented programming, including the four pillars of object-oriented development −

Classes and Objects
Encapsulation
Data hiding
Inheritance
Polymorphism

Standard Libraries

Standard C++ consists of three important parts −

The core language giving all the building blocks including variables, data types, and literals, etc.
The C++ Standard Library giving a rich set of functions manipulating files, strings, etc.
The Standard Template Library (STL) giving a rich set of methods manipulating data structures, etc.

The ANSI Standard

The ANSI standard is an attempt to ensure that C++ is portable; that code you write for Microsoft’s compiler will compile without errors, using a compiler on a Mac, UNIX, a Windows box, or an Alpha.

The ANSI standard has been stable for a while, and all the major C++ compiler manufacturers support the ANSI standard.

Learning C++

The most important thing while learning C++ is to focus on concepts.

The purpose of learning a programming language is to become a better programmer; that is, to become more effective at designing and implementing new systems and at maintaining old ones.

C++ supports a variety of programming styles. You can write in the style of Fortran, C, Smalltalk, etc., in any language. Each style can achieve its aims effectively while maintaining runtime and space efficiency.

Use of C++

C++ is used by hundreds of thousands of programmers in essentially every application domain.
C++ is being highly used to write device drivers and other software that rely on direct manipulation of hardware under realtime constraints.
C++ is widely used for teaching and research because it is clean enough for successful teaching of basic concepts.
Anyone who has used either an Apple Macintosh or a PC running Windows has indirectly used C++ because the primary user interfaces of these systems are written in C++.

C++ Hello World

Get started learning C++ with the first program by printing “Hello World” on the console −

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
   cout << "Hello, World!"; // prints Hello, World!
   return 0;
}

Output of the above code is:

Hello, World!

Advantages of C++

C++ programming language has many advantages over other languages. Some of these advantages are listed as follows −

Rich Standard Library: C++ language provides the users with a rich and useful Standard Template Library (STL). This library has a lot of in-built methods and data structure templates to make coding in this language efficient and quick.
OOPS Concepts: C++ language provides users with Object-Oriented Programming concepts like class, object, abstraction, polymorphism and much more. Hence, it acts as a modified and better version of C programming language.
Faster Performance: C++ language is faster in comparison to other languages like Python, Go, C#, and many more. This makes it very useful in embedded systems and gaming processors.
Efficient Compiler: C++ is a compiled language. C++ compiler is very versatile, and it can accept both procedural programs as well as object oriented programs.
Hardware Independent: C++ language is independent of any hardware or system design. C++ programs work on any system that has a C++/GCC compiler installed and enabled in it.
Large Support Base: C++ is one of the most widely used programming languages across the globe. It has a vast community of developers and programmers. This can be explored on platforms like Github, Reddit, Discord, DEV, Stack Overflow, and many more.

Disadvantages of C++

C++ programming language also has some disadvantages, which are listed below:

Error Detection: C++ provides the facility of low-level design and is very close to the hardware of the system. Hence, this may lead the user to carry out small errors that are difficult to observe and detect.
Large Syntax: C++ has a very lengthy code base, and many programmers find it difficult to write such a lengthy syntax. This has drawn backlash from the user-base of languages like Python, Go, etc., which are easier to code and simpler to execute.
Learning Curve: As compared to Python and Go, C++ has a very steep learning curve. Users feel that the initial building phase is very tough to learn, and there are many concepts that beginners find difficult to understand.

Facts about C++

Here are some interesting and lesser-known facts about the C++ programming language −

C++ language was invented at the AT&T Bell Labs, the same place where C language was invented.
C++ language is heavily used in NASA, where it finds applications in flight software and command design.
C++ is the successor of the C language. The name C++ has been taken from C only, and the increment operator (’++’) signifies that this language is the next version of C.
C++ is widely used in areas like game development, server-side networking, TCP/IP connections, low-level design, and many more.
C++ programs begin by executing the main() function, and other functions are redirected using the main() function only.
C++ has inherited almost all features of C, and it has incorporated OOPS concepts from Simula68 programming language.
C++ does not support pure object-oriented programming. Programs can be executed without the use of classes and objects, just like in procedural languages.
There are many languages that are conceptualized using C++, and some of those are C#, Java, JavaScript, and many more.