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What is C++?

Learn that C++ is a powerful, multi-paradigm language and the compilation process.

What is C++?

C++ is a compiled, multi-paradigm programming language created in 1985 by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs. It is still updated today under the C++20 standard.

C++ is a compiled language: you turn your source code into machine code with a compiler such as g++. The resulting executable runs directly on the operating system.

C++ is used for game engines, browsers, operating systems and high-performance server applications. It excels in any field that needs speed and close-to-hardware control.

What can you build with C++?

C++'s power comes from the fields it targets:

  • Game engines: Unreal Engine and most AAA games are written in C++
  • Browsers: the cores of Chrome and Firefox are largely C++
  • Operating systems: parts of Windows and macOS are C++
  • Embedded systems: microcontrollers and real-time systems

This versatility makes C++ worth learning.

Questions and answers

Review the lesson questions together with their answers. To test yourself, solve the lesson interactively.

1 Where was C++ born?

  • At Apple
  • At Google
  • At Microsoft
  • At Bell Labs Correct answer

Explanation: C++ was created by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs.

2 Match the concepts

Term Meaning
C++ Programming language
C++20 Standard
g++ Compiler
.cpp Source file

3 Which one is NOT written in C++?

  • The Linux kernel Correct answer
  • The Chrome browser core
  • The Unreal Engine game engine
  • Adobe Photoshop

Explanation: The Linux kernel is written in C, not C++.

4 C++ source file

Question 
C++ source code is usually written in a file with the ____ extension.
Answer 
C++ source code is usually written in a file with the .cpp extension.

Explanation: C++ source files use the .cpp extension.

All lessons in Beginner

1 C++ basics

  1. What is C++?
  2. Your first program
  3. std::cout
  4. std::cin
  5. Comments
  6. Summary - C++ basics

2 Variables

  1. Declaring variables
  2. auto
  3. const
  4. constexpr
  5. Type conversion
  6. Summary - Variables

3 Data types

  1. Integer types
  2. Floating-point types
  3. bool and char
  4. std::string
  5. sizeof
  6. Summary - Data types

4 Project: Calculator

  1. Project design
  2. Add and subtract
  3. Multiply and divide
  4. Error handling
  5. Putting it together

5 Operators

  1. Arithmetic operators
  2. Assignment operators
  3. Comparison operators
  4. Logical operators
  5. Bitwise operators
  6. Summary - Operators

6 Strings

  1. std::string basics
  2. String concatenation
  3. String length
  4. Substring
  5. String search
  6. Summary - Strings

7 Conditionals

  1. The if statement
  2. else and else if
  3. The switch statement
  4. The ternary operator
  5. Nested conditionals
  6. Summary - Conditionals

8 Loops

  1. The for loop
  2. The while loop
  3. The do-while loop
  4. Range-based for
  5. break and continue
  6. Summary - Loops

9 Project: Shopping cart

  1. Cart design
  2. Adding products
  3. Calculating totals
  4. Listing the cart
  5. Putting it together

10 Arrays

  1. C-style arrays
  2. Array access
  3. std::array
  4. Multidimensional arrays
  5. Arrays and loops
  6. Summary - Arrays

11 std::vector

  1. Declaring vectors
  2. push_back
  3. size and at
  4. Vector access
  5. Vector loop
  6. Summary - std::vector

12 Functions

  1. Defining functions
  2. Return values
  3. Parameters
  4. Function overloading
  5. Default parameters
  6. Summary - Functions

13 References

  1. What is a reference?
  2. Declaring references
  3. Reference parameters
  4. const references
  5. Dangling references
  6. Summary - References

14 Pointer basics

  1. What is a pointer?
  2. The & address operator
  3. Pointer dereference
  4. nullptr
  5. Pointer arithmetic
  6. Summary - Pointer basics

15 Project: To-do CLI

  1. Task model
  2. Adding tasks
  3. Listing tasks
  4. Completing tasks
  5. Putting it together

16 Advanced string operations

  1. String streams
  2. stoi and stod
  3. to_string
  4. String comparison
  5. String modification
  6. Summary - Advanced strings

17 Structs

  1. Defining structs
  2. Using structs
  3. Struct and function
  4. Array of structs
  5. Nested structs
  6. Summary - Structs

18 Exception basics

  1. try/catch
  2. throw
  3. std::exception
  4. Custom exceptions
  5. catch all
  6. Summary - Exceptions

19 Namespaces

  1. Defining namespaces
  2. using
  3. std namespace
  4. Nested namespaces
  5. Namespace alias
  6. Summary - Namespaces

20 Beginner final

  1. Project design
  2. Data model
  3. Business logic
  4. Error handling
  5. Putting it together