What is C++? Who should learn C++?

1. History

Bjarne Stroustrup developed C++, a general-purpose programming language that includes C, for his thesis in 1979. Originally named “C with Classes,” C++ is closer to hardware like its ancestor C, but its main difference is that it is an object-oriented language. The language took the name C++ in 1983, inspired by the “++” operator in the language, so it is usually written that it originated in 1983.

Although it is an old language, it is still a developing language. As seen above, C++ had many different versions over the years. You can see the innovations that came in each version in the image above.

2. Why C++?

Unfortunately, C++ is not a very popular language for today's programmers. You may also have misread this situation like many people and you may be thinking "Is C++ dying?" Although there are those who advocate this in the industry, don't worry, C++ doesn't seem to be eager to die :) But if you want, let's take a look at why it's not popular according to us…

Firstly, it is a software language with quite a high learning curve. Yes, there are lots of people working in this language out there. But this does not mean that C++ is a language that can be mastered easily :) You need to be familiar with every detail of your system when programming in C++. Memory management here is not automated as in other languages. You need to do it manually. Additionally, since it is a flexible language, it is also more difficult to find your mistakes.

Another reason is that C++ is not a prominent language like Microsoft's C#, Google's R, or Oracle's Java. So, it’s not a heavily advertised one, unfortunately.

Lastly, C++ being multi-purpose... I can hear you saying how. Yes, we also think this feature is not a disadvantage. However, C++ does not have a specific field like Unity used in game development or Java used in Android software. Of course, you can do what I mentioned above and more with C++. But why should people choose the difficult way when there is an easier one?

But why still C++?

Despite the things I've mentioned above, C++ is still a widely used language in the industry. Embedded systems, driver software, hardware drivers, graphic interfaces (GUI), compiler development, high-level mathematical graphics and calculations, graphics and game development... As I mentioned before, C++ is a multi-purpose software language. We invite you here for applications made with C++...

3. How C++?

Let's examine the sample code shown below!

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main() {

  cout << "Hello World!";

  return 0;

}

#include <iostream> => header file library it is called and it is a line that allows us to work with inputs and outputs.

using namespace std; => The using directive allows all names in it to be used without the namespace name as an explicit qualifier. A namespace is a region based on declaration that provides scope to identifiers. 

If you didn't understand the things I wrote above, don't worry because you don't have to :) Just know that these should be written in every code :)

int main() { => It is called a Function. Its task is to perform the transactions between {} signs when called and to return an Integer value, i.e., a number at the end. The Main function is essentially called the function and other functions are called here. In addition to int, there are other variables such as String, char, float, boolean. The string is used for texts, char for characters, float for decimal numbers, and boolean for correct or incorrect values.

cout << "Hello World!"; => It is used to print the "Hello World!" phrase. To print something else, a different thing must be written between “”. Moreover, since this is a process, the “;” sign is used to show that it's finished. If using namespace std; is not used, std::cout should be used instead of cout.

return 0; => return is used at the end of the function to return the result. As our function is an int function, a number should be returned.

Of course, this is just the beginning.

I can hear you saying how we can learn more :) As a Turkish source, the C++ book by Kodlab publishing is quite suitable for beginners. As an English source book, we recommend Data Abstraction and Problem Solving with C++. In addition, you can improve yourself by following C++ lessons online on many platforms such as Youtube and Udemy. The only thing you have to do is to choose an IDE and start... If you are wondering what that is, we invite you to read our IDE post...