C++ is a general-purpose programming language that was developed by Bjarne

Stroustrup in 1979 at Bell Labs as an extension of the C programming language. It

is a statically typed, compiled language designed for system programming, embedded
systems, game development, and high-performance applications.

Here are some key features of C++:

Syntax: C++ syntax is similar to C, but it also includes additional features such
as classes, inheritance, polymorphism, and operator overloading.

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): C++ supports object-oriented programming

paradigms, allowing developers to define classes and objects, encapsulate data and
behavior within them, and create hierarchies of classes through inheritance.

Generic Programming: C++ provides support for generic programming through

templates, enabling developers to write code that works with any data type.

Standard Template Library (STL): The STL is a collection of reusable classes and
functions implemented using C++ templates. It includes containers (like vectors,
lists, and maps) and algorithms (such as sorting and searching), providing a rich
set of tools for developers.

Memory Management: C++ allows explicit memory management through pointers and
manual memory allocation and deallocation using new and delete operators. However,
it also supports automatic memory management through smart pointers and resource
management classes.

Performance: C++ is known for its high performance and efficiency, making it
suitable for applications where performance is critical.

Platform Independence: C++ code can be compiled to run on various platforms,

including Windows, macOS, Linux, and embedded systems.

Standardization: C++ is standardized by the International Organization for

Standardization (ISO). The latest standard is C++17 (published in 2017), with newer
standards like C++20 and C++23 introducing additional features and improvements.

C++ is widely used in industries such as finance, gaming, telecommunications, and

operating systems development. It offers a balance between low-level control and
high-level abstractions, making it a versatile language for a wide range of
applications.