C++ is an object-oriented programming (OOP) language that is viewed by many as the best

language for creating large-scale applications. C++ is a superset of the C language.

A related programming language, Java, is based on C++ but optimized for the distribution of
program objects in a network such as the internet. Java is somewhat simpler and easier to learn
than C++ and has characteristics that give it other advantages over C++. However, both
languages require a considerable amount of study.

C++ allows software developers to define their own data types and manipulate them using
functions and methods. It also allows low-level programming and provides access to memory,
enabling fast and efficient execution of code. It also supports generic programming using
templates, which let code be written in a generic form and reused for different data types.

C++ is used in fields such as system software, game development, embedded systems, scientific
computing and high-performance applications. The C++ standard library provides a range of
coding utilities and functions, making it easy to develop complex software systems. C++ can run
on many platforms, including Linux, Mac and Windows.

How to use C++

There are several ways to learn C++, such as online tutorials, courses and interactive exercises.
To start programming in C++, developers need a C++ compiler that translates code into
machine-readable instructions. C++ compilers include Clang, GNU Compiler Collection and
Microsoft Visual C++. Once a compiler is installed, developers can use a text editor or integrated
development environment (IDE) to write C++ code. IDEs offer features such as code completion,
debugging tools and management capabilities.

C++ programs are usually organized into functions. The main() function is the entry point of the
computer program where execution begins. Developers can use control structures such as loops
and conditionals to control their program’s flow. C++ also provides a set of libraries that offer
prebuilt functions and data structures for common tasks.
How to write C++ code
When writing code in C++, the following are some basic functions:

C++ code. One of the easiest codes for beginners is the “Hello World!” code which uses the
iostream library and the std namespace:
Arrays and memory allocation. C++ allows developers to work with arrays, which are collections
of elements of the same data type. Here’s an example of initializing and accessing elements in
an array:

C++ classes and constructors. C++ supports OOP with the use of classes. Here’s an example of a
simple class with a constructor and member functions:

Polymorphism and C++ standard library. C++ supports polymorphism, allowing objects to be
treated as instances of their base or derived classes interchangeably. Additionally, the C++
standard library provides a rich set of functionalities. The following is an example:

What are the uses of C++?

C++ is used in a wide range of ways to capitalize on its versatility and performance. Some of the
main uses of C++ include the following:

Operating systems (OSes). C++’s low-level capabilities allow for efficient memory management
and system resource controls, making it well-suited for the development of OSes.
Games and graphics. C++’s high performance and ability to interact with hardware makes it a
good choice for game engines such as Epic Games’ Unreal Engine and Unity Technologies’ Unity,
which are built using C++. The programming language is also used for graphics programming
tasks, such as real-time rendering, image processing and physics simulations.
Embedded systems. C++ is commonly used in the development of embedded systems, which
are computer systems designed to perform specific tasks. Examples of embedded systems
include medical devices, automotive systems and internet of things devices.
Software libraries. C++ serves as the foundation for many high-level libraries used in various
domains. Libraries like Boost provide additional functionality and utilities for C++ programmers,
while the Standard Template Library (STL) offers a collection of generic data structures and
algorithms. These libraries provide ready-to-use components, enhancing developer productivity.
High-performance computing (HPC). C++ is well suited for HPC applications that require
maximum computational efficiency and parallel processing. It’s used in scientific simulations,
numerical analysis, mathematical modeling and simulations of physical phenomena. It’s often
used alongside specialized libraries such as message passing interface and OpenMP for
distributed and parallel computing.
Web development. Although C++ isn’t commonly used for web development, it plays a crucial
role in the back end of web applications, such as web servers, network protocols, routers and
communication software. Many web frameworks and servers, including the Apache HTTP
Server, are implemented in C++. The language’s speed and reliability make it suitable for
handling high-traffic websites and complex server-side operations.
Systems programming. C++ is often used for systems programming tasks, where interaction with
the underlying hardware and OS is required. Tasks such as device drivers, network protocols and
system utilities are typically implemented in C++.
Advantages and disadvantages of C++
C++ comes with a mix of advantages and disadvantages. Some of its advantages such as high-
performance and control come with the challenge of complexity and steep learning curves.

Advantages of C++
C++ benefits meet developers’ many demands of programming languages:

High performance from C++’s low-level memory manipulation and direct access to hardware,
making it suitable for resource-intensive applications.
Control, such as low-level control over system resources, which enables developers to fine-tune
their programs for optimal performance.
Flexibility resulting from functionality such as the support of OOP and procedural and functional
programming, the latter of which is increasingly embraced at enterprise scale.
Software portability that lets programs run on several different platforms.
Compatibility coming from C++’s interoperability with other programming languages such as C
and its support across different platforms. This lets developers reuse code and use third-party
libraries.
An expansive ecosystem tied to C++’s ability to use a large array of libraries and frameworks that
offer prebuilt approaches for tasks, such as data manipulation, which reduces the need for
manual implementation.
Disadvantages of C++
C++ also comes with some disadvantages, including the following:

Complexity and a challenging learning curve for beginners because of its extensive feature set.
Manual memory management, which can lead to memory leaks and other memory
management issues if not handled properly.
Security risks related to C++’s direct access to memory, which increases risk of writing unsafe
code.
Lack of built-in garbage collection, forcing developers to manually deallocate memory when it’s
no longer needed.
Complex syntax compared to other programming languages, making code reading and writing
more time-consuming.
Long compile time compared to languages with dynamic typing or just-in-time compilation.
Examples of C++ tools
There are several tools and frameworks for C++ development that can enhance productivity, aid
in-code organization and facilitate debugging and testing. Some of those tools include the
following:

Integrated development environments. IDEs assist programmers in writing, debugging and

managing code. IDEs used for C++ programming include Microsoft Visual Studio, which provides
debugging and project management tools; JetBrains CLion, a cross-platform IDE that has
refactoring tools; and Eclipse CDT, an open source IDE with code navigation and project
management tools.
Build systems. Build systems help simplify the C++ build process by simplifying platform-specific
build scripts and specifying dependencies and commands. Examples of these are CMake and
GNU Make, both open source applications.
Testing frameworks. Testing frameworks let developers write and test code functionality. Google
Test is an example of a testing framework that offers a set of assertion macros and utilities.
Catch2 is a lightweight framework that provides a syntax for defining test cases, assertions and
test fixtures. Boost.Test is a component of the Boost C++ Libraries that supports various testing
styles and assertions.
Profiling tools. Profiling tools help developers analyze code performance using data on
bottlenecks, resource use and execution. Valgrind is an open source profiling tool for
performance analysis, memory profiling and leak detection. Intel VTune Amplifier is a tool that
helps identify bottlenecks.
Documentation tools. Documentation tools are software utilities that automate the generation
of source code documentation. Doxygen is one such tool that uses source code comments to
document in Hypertext Markup Language, PDF and other formats.
Package managers. Package managers help manage a project’s dependencies and libraries
through a centralized interface. They help developers discover, install, update and remove
software packages. Some package managers on the market include JFrog’s Conan, a
decentralized C/C++ package manager that simplifies dependency management and facilitates
the integration of third-party libraries; and vcpkg, a cross-platform manager developed by
Microsoft that offers a range of precompiled C++ libraries.