The document introduces the C++ programming language, highlighting its history, features, and significance in software development. It covers basic syntax, data types, and fundamental concepts like variables, operators, and control structures. Practical examples illustrate simple programs, emphasiz...
Introduction to C++ Programming Language
C++ is a general-purpose programming language that was developed as an enhancement of
the C language to include object-oriented paradigm. It is an imperative and
a compiled language.
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.
Some of the features & key-points to note about the programming language are as follows:
• Simple: It is a simple language in the sense that programs can be broken down
into logical units and parts, has a rich library support and a variety of data-types.
• Machine Independent but Platform Dependent: A C++ executable is not
platform-independent (compiled programs on Linux won’t run on Windows),
however they are machine independent.
• Mid-level language: It is a mid-level language as we can do both systems-
programming (drivers, kernels, networking etc.) and build large-scale user
applications (Media Players, Photoshop, Game Engines etc.)
• Rich library support: Has a rich library support (Both standard ~ built-in data
structures, algorithms etc.) as well 3rd party libraries (e.g. Boost libraries) for fast
and rapid development.
• Speed of execution: C++ programs excel in execution speed. Since, it is a
compiled language, and also hugely procedural. Newer languages have extra in-
, ELITE TUTORING
built default features such as garbage-collection, dynamic typing etc. which slow
the execution of the program overall. Since there is no additional processing
overhead like this in C++, it is blazing fast.
• Pointer and direct Memory-Access: C++ provides pointer support which aids
users to directly manipulate storage address. This helps in doing low-level
programming (where one might need to have explicit control on the storage of
variables).
• Object-Oriented: One of the strongest points of the language which sets it apart
from C. Object-Oriented support helps C++ to make maintainable and extensible
programs. i.e. Large-scale applications can be built. Procedural code becomes
difficult to maintain as code-size grows.
• Compiled Language: C++ is a compiled language, contributing to its speed.
Applications of C++:
C++ finds varied usage in applications such as:
• 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 interesting facts about C++:
Here are some awesome facts about C++ that may interest you:
1. The name of C++ signifies the evolutionary nature of the changes from C. “++” is
the C increment operator.
2. C++ is one of the predominant languages for the development of all kind of
technical and commercial software.
3. 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.
4. C++ got the OOP features from Simula67 Programming language.
5. A function is a minimum requirement for a C++ program to run.(at least main()
function)
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