C++ is a statically-typed, general-purpose programming language known for its flexibility and efficiency. It supports multiple programming paradigms, including procedural, object-oriented, and generic programming, making it highly versatile for a wide range of applications.
C++ was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs between 1979 and 1983. It started as an extension of the C programming language, initially named “C with Classes”, indicating its expanded support for object-oriented programming. The language was later renamed C++, with the “++” signifying the increment operator in C, representing the evolution of the C language.
C++ is recognized for its high performance and control over system resources. Some of its key features include:
C++ is one of many different languages that you might consider for a development project. Alternatives to C++ include Python, Java, Rust, Go, Swift, and several others. However, there are important reasons why C++ is chosen to be used in a tech stack. We’ll consider those reasons here.
C++ offers several advantages that make it a compelling choice over other languages. Here are a few:
Some unique features of C++ include:
C++ is often chosen for projects that require direct control over hardware or memory, or that need to optimize for speed or performance. It’s a go-to language for system software, game development, embedded systems, and real-time systems. Moreover, because of its performance characteristics, it’s also frequently used in sectors like finance for high-frequency trading systems.
If you’re interested in trying out C++, here are some detailed instructions on how to try out the language, including setting up a development environment and writing your first lines of C++ code.
Getting started with C++ involves setting up a development environment on your computer. While the specific steps may vary depending on your operating system, they generally involve the following:
The most basic start to any programming language is writing a program that simply outputs some text.
Here’s a simple C++ program that prints “Hello, World!” to the console:
#include <iostream>
int main() {
std::cout << "Hello, World!" << std::endl;
return 0;
}So, what is happening in this simple “Hello, World!” code block? Here’s a quick overview.
In this code:
#include <iostream> tells the compiler to include the iostream standard library, which allows for input/output operations.int main() is the entry point of the program. Execution begins from this function.std::cout << "Hello, World!" << std::endl; prints “Hello, World!” followed by a newline to the console.return 0; indicates that the program has ended successfully.There are numerous IDEs and tools available to aid in C++ development. These offer features like code highlighting, auto-completion, debugging tools, and more. Some popular options are:
Remember, the best IDE or tool often depends on your specific needs and workflow. Often, the IDE you use will be heavily influenced or determined by your employer and/or co-workers as you work on a team of developers.
To help you get more familiar with the C++ language, we’ll cover some of the basics of how C++ works, including
C++ has a syntax similar to the C language, but with additional features for object-oriented and generic programming. A simple C++ program includes a main function where the execution of the program starts.
#include <iostream>
int main() {
std::cout << "Hello, World!";
return 0;
}C++ supports several built-in data types, including:
int, short, long, long long)float, double)char)bool)Variables are defined with a specific data type, and they can store values of that type.
int myNumber = 5; // Integer
double myFloatNum = 5.99; // Floating point number
char myLetter = 'D'; // Character
bool myBoolean = true; // BooleanC++ includes arithmetic operators (+, -, *, /, %), comparison operators (==, !=, <, >, <=, >=), logical operators (&&, ||, !), and more. Expressions are combinations of variables, literals, operators, and function calls.
if, else if, and else for conditional logic, and switch for multiple choices based on a single variable.if (condition) {
// do something
} else if (otherCondition) {
// do something else
} else {
// do a different thing
}for, while, and do-while loops are available for repeated execution of code.for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
// this code will execute 10 times
}Functions are blocks of code designed to perform specific tasks. In C++, functions are declared with a name, return type, and any parameters they take.
C++ supports error handling through the mechanism of exceptions. This allows the program to throw an exception when an error occurs, then catch it and continue execution.
try {
// code that might throw an exception
} catch (int e) {
std::cout << "An exception occurred. Exception Nr. " << e << '\n';
}Now that we’ve had a look at some of the fundamentals of the C++ language, we can dig more into some of the more advanced concepts associated with developing software with C++.
Object-oriented programming (OOP) is a design paradigm that revolves around the concept of “objects”. These objects are instances of classes, which can include both data (attributes) and functions (methods). C++ is one of the main programming languages that utilize OOP principles, which include:
class MyClass { // The class
public: // Access specifier
int myNum; // Attribute (int variable)
string myString; // Attribute (string variable)
};
int main() {
MyClass myObj; // Create an object of MyClass
// Access attributes and set values
myObj.myNum = 15;
myObj.myString = "Some text";
// Print attribute values
cout << myObj.myNum << "\n";
cout << myObj.myString;
return 0;
}class Vehicle { // Base class (parent)
public:
string brand = "Ford";
void honk() {
cout << "Tuut, tuut! \n" ;
}
};
class Car: public Vehicle { // Derived class (child)
public:
string model = "Mustang";
};
int main() {
Car myCar;
myCar.honk();
cout << myCar.brand + " " + myCar.model;
return 0;
}class Animal {
public:
void animalSound() {
cout << "The animal makes a sound \n" ;
}
};
class Pig : public Animal {
public:
void animalSound() {
cout << "The pig says: wee wee \n" ;
}
};
class Dog : public Animal {
public:
void animalSound() {
cout << "The dog says: bow wow \n" ;
}
};class Employee {
private:
int salary;
public:
void setSalary(int s) {
salary = s;
}
int getSalary() {
return salary;
}
};While C++ is primarily an object-oriented language, it also supports elements of functional programming. This includes functions as first-class objects, lambda expressions, and more.
C++ provides several tools for managing concurrency and parallelism, critical for improving performance in multicore and distributed systems. This includes threads, locks, and condition variables. As of C++11, the language has built-in support for multithreading.
#include <iostream>
#include <thread>
void foo() {
std::cout << "Hello from another thread\n";
}
int main() {
std::thread t(foo);
t.join();
return 0;
}This simple program creates a new thread that executes the foo function, printing a message to the console. The main function waits for this thread to finish execution before continuing.
Note: Concurrency and parallelism are complex topics that require careful consideration of synchronization and data sharing issues. They should be used judiciously and with a good understanding of the underlying principles.
In summary, C++ offers various powerful tools to handle advanced programming concepts. Its hybrid nature, supporting both procedural and object-oriented paradigms, coupled with its direct access to hardware and memory, make it a versatile choice for a wide range of software development projects.
As with other languages, C++ has many libraries and frameworks associated with it that make the language easier to use. Instead of having to code everything from scratch, most C++ developers make use of libraries and frameworks that have already been developed and published to be used by the C++ development community.
Creating a library in C++ involves creating a header file (.h) with declarations of functions and variables, and then a source file (.cpp) with the actual definitions. These are then compiled into a static or dynamic library file (.a or .so/.dll), which can be linked to other C++ programs.
Using a library involves including the appropriate header file with #include, and then linking the library file when compiling the program.
Remember, libraries and frameworks are key tools that can help you avoid “reinventing the wheel” by reusing code that has already been written and tested. They can greatly enhance your productivity and the capabilities of your C++ applications.
As with other programming languages, there are some accepted best practices that should be followed to ensure that code is being written as efficiently as possible. We will now take a look at some of those best practices generally accepted for the C++ language.
These are some general best practices to follow while coding in C++. However, the specifics might vary depending on the project or organization you’re working with. Always be ready to adapt to different coding styles and conventions.
If you’re interested in learning how to code in C++, we’ll show you how to get started. There are so many resources out there for those who are interested in learning C++ that it can be overwhelming knowing where to start. We’ve organized a list of resources here that have proven over the years to be effective for teaching C++ to thousands of developers.
As you move through the learning process, understand that it will be a a step by step process assimilating all that there is with C++, and that it can take time to become an expert developer. It can be easy to become overwhelmed unless you consciously allow yourself to take the language one step at a time. Over time you will realize that you’ve mastered the language.
According to Payscale, as of 2023, the average salary for a C++ developer in the United States is around $76,526 per year. However, this can significantly vary depending on experience, skills, and location.
C++ developers can find opportunities in various sectors including finance (for high-frequency trading platforms), automotive industry (for embedded systems), game industry, and more.
Despite the rise of higher-level languages, C++ continues to be a crucial language for many industries. Its blend of performance and versatility makes it a valuable skill for any programmer.
For those who are considering furthering their pursuit of C++, it is helpful to know what kinds of apps are written in C++, and how C++ code tends to integrate with different tech stacks. We’ll show you some examples to demonstrate what C++ can do and to give you a sense of how it integrates with other technologies.
Despite being a low-level language, C++ has found a place in modern tech stacks thanks to its performance benefits and interoperability with other languages.