Introduction to C++

Welcome to C++ Programming! C++ is a powerful, general-purpose programming language that combines high-level and low-level programming features.

What is C++?

C++ is a compiled, statically-typed programming language developed by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs in 1979. It's an extension of the C programming language with object-oriented programming capabilities.

Key Characteristics:

• Compiled Language: Code is compiled into machine code before execution
• Statically Typed: Variable types must be declared before use
• Multi-paradigm: Supports procedural, object-oriented, and generic programming
• Performance: Offers near-hardware performance with high-level abstractions
• Memory Management: Provides manual memory management with pointers

Why Learn C++?

C++ is widely used in:

1. System Programming

• Operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS components)
• Device drivers
• Embedded systems

2. Game Development

• Game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity uses C++ for core)
• High-performance game logic
• Real-time graphics rendering

3. High-Performance Applications

• Database systems
• Web browsers (Chrome, Firefox engines)
• Compilers and interpreters

4. Scientific Computing

• Simulations
• Mathematical computations
• Research applications

5. Financial Systems

• Trading platforms
• Risk management systems
• High-frequency trading

C++ vs Other Languages

Your First C++ Program

Every C++ program starts with a main() function. This is where program execution begins.

Basic Structure

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    cout << "Hello, World!" << endl;
    return 0;
}

Breaking it down:

• #include <iostream>: Includes input/output stream library
• using namespace std;: Allows use of standard library without std:: prefix
• int main(): Entry point of the program
• cout: Standard output stream (console output)
• <<: Stream insertion operator
• endl: End line (newline character)
• return 0;: Indicates successful program termination

C++ Compilation Process

1. Source Code (.cpp file) → Written by programmer
2. Preprocessor → Handles #include directives
3. Compiler → Converts to object code (.o or .obj)
4. Linker → Combines object files into executable
5. Executable → Ready to run program

Setting Up C++ Development Environment

Option 1: Using g++ (Linux/Mac)

# Install g++
sudo apt-get install g++  # Linux
brew install gcc          # Mac

# Compile
g++ program.cpp -o program

# Run
./program

Option 2: Using Visual Studio (Windows)

1. Install Visual Studio Community
2. Create new C++ project
3. Write code and press F5 to run

Option 3: Online Compilers

• OnlineGDB: https://www.onlinegdb.com/online_c++_compiler
• Repl.it: https://replit.com/
• Compiler Explorer: https://godbolt.org/

C++ Standards

C++ has evolved through several standards:

• C++98/03: Original standard
• C++11: Major update (auto, lambda, smart pointers)
• C++14: Minor improvements
• C++17: Filesystem, parallel algorithms
• C++20: Modules, concepts, coroutines
• C++23: Latest features

We'll focus on C++11 and later standards for modern C++ practices.

Key Concepts You'll Learn

1. Variables and Data Types: Storing and manipulating data
2. Control Flow: Making decisions and loops
3. Functions: Reusable code blocks
4. Arrays and Strings: Working with collections
5. Pointers and References: Memory management
6. Object-Oriented Programming: Classes and objects
7. STL (Standard Template Library): Pre-built data structures
8. File I/O: Reading and writing files

Best Practices for Learning C++

1. Practice Regularly: Code every day, even if just 30 minutes
2. Understand Memory: Learn how memory works in C++
3. Read Error Messages: Compiler errors teach you a lot
4. Start Simple: Master basics before moving to advanced topics
5. Use Modern C++: Prefer C++11+ features over old C-style code
6. Debug Often: Use debuggers to understand program flow

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Forgetting semicolons (;)
• ❌ Not initializing variables
• ❌ Memory leaks (not deleting allocated memory)
• ❌ Array out-of-bounds access
• ❌ Using uninitialized pointers
• ❌ Not including necessary headers

Next Steps

In the next module, we'll dive into Variables and Data Types - the foundation of storing and working with data in C++.

Ready to start coding? Let's begin! 🚀