C++ is a high-performance, general-purpose programming language created by
Bjarne Stroustrup in the early 1980s as an extension of the C language. While C++
is an extension of C, it includes features that support both procedural and object-
oriented programming (OOP) paradigms. It is widely used for system and
application software, game development, drivers, and high-performance
applications.
Key Features of C++
1. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) Support:
o C++ supports the four major principles of OOP: Encapsulation,
Abstraction, Inheritance, and Polymorphism.
2. Memory Management:
o C++ provides direct memory access using pointers, allowing
developers to manage memory dynamically. This makes it ideal for
high-performance applications.
3. High Performance:
o C++ is considered a compiled language and has direct control over
system resources. This makes it faster and more efficient than
interpreted languages.
4. Multi-paradigm:
o Although C++ is an object-oriented language, it also supports
procedural programming, and generic programming through
templates.
5. Standard Template Library (STL):
o STL provides generic classes and functions to implement common
data structures (like vectors, lists, stacks, and queues) and algorithms
(like sorting and searching).