Article by: Manish Methani
Last Updated: October 22, 2021 at 10:04am IST
C++ is a high-level, general-purpose programming language used to build a wide range of applications, including games, operating systems, and web browsers. It was developed in the 1980s as an extension of the C programming language, adding features such as classes and object-oriented programming.
This tutorial is designed to give you a solid foundation in the basics of C++ programming, including syntax, data types, control structures, and functions. Along the way, we'll also provide code examples to help illustrate each concept.
Before we begin, you'll need to have a C++ compiler installed on your computer. There are several popular options, including:
Once you have a compiler installed, you can begin writing and running C++ programs.
The syntax of C++ is similar to C, with a few key differences. For example, a C++ program must contain a main function, which is the entry point for the program. Here's a simple "Hello, World!" program in C++:
#include <iostream>
int main() {
std::cout << "Hello, World!";
return 0;
}
In this program, we include the iostream library, which provides input and output functionality. The main function simply outputs the string "Hello, World!" to the console.
C++ supports several data types, including integers, floating-point numbers, and characters. Here's an example of each:
int my_int = 42; float my_float = 3.14; char my_char = 'a';
C++ provides several control structures for making decisions and repeating code. Here's an example of an if statement:
if (my_int > 0) {
std::cout << "The value is positive!";
} else {
std::cout << "The value is zero or negative.";
}
Functions are reusable blocks of code that can be called from other parts of the program. Here's an example of a function that adds two integers:
int add(int a, int b) {
return a + b;
}
We can then call this function from the main function:
int result = add(2, 3); std::cout << result; // Output: 5
In this tutorial, we've covered the basics of C++ programming, including syntax, data types, control structures, and functions. With this foundation, you'll be able to start building more complex programs in C++. Keep practicing and exploring the language to become a skilled C++ developer.
