Introduction to C++

⏱ Estimated reading time: 2 min

C++ is a general-purpose programming language created by Bjarne Stroustrup. It is an extension of the C language and supports both procedural and object-oriented programming.

C++ is widely used for:

• System software (operating systems, drivers)

• Game development ????

• Desktop applications

• Embedded systems

• High-performance applications

Key Features of C++

• Fast and efficient 

• Object-Oriented (classes, objects, inheritance)

• Low-level memory control (using pointers)

• Portable (can run on different platforms)

• Rich Standard Library

Basic Structure of a C++ Program

#include 
using namespace std;

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

Explanation:

• #include → Allows input/output operations

• using namespace std; → Avoids writing std:: repeatedly

• int main() → Entry point of the program

• cout → Used to print output

• return 0; → Ends the program successfully

Input and Output

int age;
cin >> age;        // Input
cout << age>// Output

• cin → Input from user

• cout → Output to screen

Variables and Data Types

Common data types in C++:

Example:

int number = 5;
float price = 99.99;
char grade = 'A';

Control Statements

If-Else

if (x > 0)
    cout << "Positive";
else
    cout << "Negative";

Loops

For Loop

for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++)
    cout << i>" ";

While Loop

int i = 1;
while (i <= 5) {
    cout << i>" ";
    i++;
}

Functions

int add(int a, int b) {
    return a + b;
}

Functions help divide programs into smaller, reusable parts.

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

Class and Object

class Student {
public:
    string name;
    int age;
};

Student s1;
s1.name = "John";
s1.age = 20;

Why Learn C++?

• Foundation for learning other languages

• Used in competitive programming 

• Powerful for performance-critical applications

• Strong understanding of memory and system design