C++ Overview


C++ is a general-purpose object-oriented programming language developed by Bjarne Stroustrup, as an extension to the C language that means all the functions which can be performed in C can be performed in C++.

C++ is a mid-level language that is widely used in Software Development, Game Development by millions of coders all around the globe, hence making it one of the core coding languages.

There are 3 major C++ versions :- C++11, C++14 and C++17.

Each new formal release of the language is called a language standard (or language specification). Standards are named after the year they are released in.

Why C++?

  • Simple Language:- C++ is a very simple language that makes it easier to grasp because it can be fundamentally broken to easier and logical terms.

  • Object-Oriented Programming (OOP):- Object-Oriented Programming includes following features such as Objects, Classes, Polymorphism, Inheritance, Encapsulation, and Abstraction. OOP's allows to create multiple objects, hence making the problems easier to solve.

  • Great Community:- C++ is used by millions of programmers all around the globe by software developers in Operating Systems, Graphics User Interfaces, and Embedded Systems.

  • Fast execution:- C++ is one of the fastest coding languages as it is compiled, not interpreted.It achieves such performance as it runs directly on the hardware machine so there is minimal lag

  • Development:- C++ is of the best known programming language when it comes to speed and performance. That’s the reason it is used by big giants like Facebook,Amazon,Google. C++ is extensively used in the field of Software Development, Game Development, Browser Development, etc.

Application

  • Software Development:- The fact that C++ is a strongly typed and fast programming language makes it an ideal candidate for writing operating systems. C++ has been used in building all the major Operating Systems like Windows, Mac OS etc.Applications like Windows 95, ME, 98; XP, etc. are written in C++. Apart from this, the IDE Visual Studio, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office are also written in C++.

  • Game Development:- C++ is widely used in the development of games as it has good control over hardware and is also really fast to process and compile.Apart from this, major game engines like Chrome,Dark engines are also been programmed in C++.

  • Browser Development:- With the fast performance of C++, most browsers have their rendering software written in C++.Major browsers like Google Chrome,Mozilla Firefox is completely written in C++.

  • Database Development:- Several Database Systems like MySQL, MongoDB, Redis, and others have used C++ in development.

  • Medical Applications:- C++ has been used in software of Medical Machines like MRI machines and CAD/CAM systems,etc..

C++ Environment Setup:

One of the most common renown C++ compiler is Microsoft Visual Studio Code.

Visual Studio Code is one of the best compiler across all programming languages.

It is available on most Operating Systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux OS.

Visual Studio Code requires very basic installation which is as follows:-

  1. Go to the link: https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/features/cplusplus/

  2. Go to the dropdown of Download Visual Studio and click on Community Download.

Visual Studio creates a default path and the compiler is ready to go.




Happy Coding 😊

By Programmers Army

Contributed by: Tanmay Garg