IntroductiontoC++
again, or just skip a bunch of code.
Introduction
C++ is a powerful general-purpose programming language.
It can be used to develop operating systems, browsers,
games, and so on. C++ supports different ways of
programming like procedural, object-oriented, functional,
and so on. This makes C++ powerful as well as flexible
I. What is C++?
C++ is a general-purpose object-oriented programming
language. It was created by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs
circa 1980
C++ is a cross-platform language that can be used to create
high-performance
applications
Some call C++ “C with classes” because it introduces object
oriented programming principles, including the use of
defined classes, to the C programming language framework
C++ is considered an intermediate-level language, as it
includes both high and low- level language features.
II. Quick Facts Regrading C++
C++ ranks 4th in popularity according to 2016 IEEE
spectrum Top Programming Language ranking.
Learning C++ is a wise investment for all programmers.
“C++ is a statically-typed, free-form, (usually) compiled,
multi-paradigm, intermediate- level general-purpose
middle-level programming language.”
In simple terms, C++ is a sophisticated, efficient and a
general-purpose programming language based on C.
While Bjarne Stroustrup was working in AT&T Bell Labs in
1979, he faced difficulties in analyzing UNIX kernel for
distributed systems. The current languages were either too
slow or too low level. So, he set forward to create a new
language. His aim was to create a language with far higher
level of abstraction while retaining the efficiency of C.
This new programming language was named C with
Classes, but was later renamed to C++ (++ refers to the
increment operator in C).
III. Five Basic Concepts of C++
1. C++ Variables - The backbone of any programming
language. A variable is merely a way to store some
information for later use.
2. C++ Control Structures - The code is read by the
compiler line by line (from top to bottom, and for the most
part left to right). This is known as "code flow." When the
code is being read from top to bottom, it may encounter a
point where it needs to make a decision. Based on the
decision, the program may jump to a different part of the
code.
It may even make the compiler re-run a specific piece
3. C++ Data Structure - a group of data elements grouped
together under one name. Allows you to combine data
items of different kinds.
4. C++ Syntax - a layout of words, expression, and symbols.
They are some well-defined set of rules that allow you to
create some piece of well-functioning software.
5. C++ Tools - is some piece of software which when used
with the code allows you to program faster. IDE is a
software which will make your coding life so much easier.
IV. Features of C++
C++ is Fast - Since, C++ is an extended version of C, the C
part of it is very low level. This offers a huge boost in speed
that high level languages like Python, Java don’t give you.
C++ is Statically Typed - In simple terms, C++ doesn’t allow
the compiler to make assumptions about the type of data
e.g. 10 is different from “10” and you have to let C++
know which one you are talking about.
Object oriented programming with C++ - With its use in C+
+, you are able to divide these complex problems into
smaller sets by creating objects.
Power of standard library (Standard template library - STL)
- The power of C++ extends with the use of standard
libraries contained in it. These libraries contain efficient
algorithms that you use extensively while coding. This
saves ample amount of programming effort, which
otherwise would have been wasted reinventing the wheel.
II. Anatomy of a C++ program
Your first C++ program
1. #include <iostream>
2. using namespace std;
3. int main()
4. {
5. cout << "Hello World";
6. return 0;
7. }
Code Discussion
Line 1. #include <iostream>
The standard I/O system is declared in the header file:-
<iostream> iostream is a header file which provides us with
input & output streams. Header files contained
predeclared function libraries, which can be used by users
for their ease Line
2. using namespace std;
Namespaces were introduced into C++ to resolve identifier
name conflicts
Namespace collects identifiers used for class, object and
variables.
This ensured that two objects can have the same name and
yet be treated differently if they belonged to different
namespaces.
Line 3. int main()
-The actual program starts with the function named main().
-When your program starts, main() is called automatically.
main(), is the function which holds the executing part of
program its return type is int.
main() function is the body of your program. All processing
should be done in this part.
Line 4 and 7: { }
The open brace ( { ) at line 4 indicates the beginning of
main's function definition, and the closing brace ( } ) at line
7, indicates its end. Everything between these braces is the
function's body that defines what happens when main is
called. All functions use braces to indicate the beginning
and end of their definitions.
When writing a function, or a class, or an if statement, or a
loop, C++ uses an opening curly brace to begin the body of
the function, class, if/else statement, or loop.
Then you put all the normal statements and close it all with
a matching closing curly brace.
Line 5: cout << “Hello World”;
cout is use to display something on the monitor.
<< output redirection operator.
Whatever follows the output redirection operator is
written to the console.
if you want a string of characters written, be certain to
enclose them in double quotes (")
Line 6: return 0;
Like all functions, must state what kind of value it returns.
It returns the integer value 0.
A value may be returned to the operating system to
indicate success or failure, or using a failure code to
describe a cause of failure.
III. Things to Remember in Creating C++ Program
Some words are reserved by C++, and you may not use
them as variable names. These are keywords used by the
compiler to control your program. Keywords include if,
while, for, and main.
Most of syntax in C++ are written on lower case letters.
Semicolon ( ; ) is very special and important. . Don’t forget
to include this on the every last line of the code. Ex: cout
<< “hello”;
C++ Flow Control
Introduction
There come situations in real life when we need to make
some decisions and based on these decisions, we decide
what we should do next. Similar situations arise in
programming also where we need to make some decisions
and based on these decisions we will execute the next
block of code.
I. Decision Making in C++
Decision making statements in programming languages
decides the direction of flow of program
execution. Decision making statements available in C or C+
+ are [1].
1. if statement
2. if..else statements
3. nested if statements
4. if-else-if ladder
5. switch statements
6. Jump Statements:
a. break
b. continue
c. goto
d. return
In C++, switch, case, break, and default are reserved words.
In a switch structure, first the expression is evaluated. The
value of the expression is then used to perform the actions
specified in the statements that follow the reserved word
case. Recall that in a syntax, shading indicates an optional
part of the definition. Although it need not be, the
expression is usually an identifier. Whether it is an
identifier or an expression, the value can be only integral.
The expression is sometimes called the selector. Its
value determines which statement is selected for
execution. A particular case value should appear only once.
One or more statements may follow a case label, so you do
not need to use braces to turn multiple statements into a
single compound statement. The break statement may
or may not appear after each statement.
VIII. Jump Statements
1. break statement - used to terminate the loop in which it
is used. Syntax for break is break; The break statement is
used to terminate the loop or statement in which it
present. After that, the control will pass to the statements
that present after the break statement, if available. If the
break statement present in the nested loop, then it
terminates only those loops which contains break
statement.
2. continue statement - used to skip over the execution
part of the loop on a certain condition. Continue statement
transfers the control to the beginning of the loop. Basically,
it skips its following statements and continues with the
next iteration of the loop.
Syntax for continue is continue;
3. goto statement - used to transfer control to the labeled
statement in the program. The label is the valid identifier
and placed just before the statement from where the
control is transferred. Syntax for goto is goto label;