C++ Language Overview

Welcome to the official Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) documentation for the C++ programming language. C++ is a powerful, general-purpose programming language created as an extension of the C language. It provides high-level and low-level manipulation of memory. It was evolved from C by adding object-oriented features. C++ is one of the most widely used programming languages today for everything from system/device software, game development, desktop applications, server applications, and high-performance server applications, embedded system software, and more.

Key Features of C++

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Supports classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation.
Performance: Offers fine-grained control over memory and system resources, enabling highly optimized code.
Portability: C++ code can be compiled and run on various platforms with minimal modification.
Rich Standard Library: Provides a comprehensive set of pre-written components and algorithms for common tasks.
Extensibility: Allows for the creation of new data types and operators.
Memory Management: Manual control over memory allocation and deallocation using pointers and dynamic memory management.
STL (Standard Template Library): A powerful set of C++ template classes to provide common data structures and functions.

A Brief History

C++ was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs starting in 1979 as a project to build a better simulation. It was initially called "C with Classes". The name C++ was coined by Rick Mascitti in 1983. C++ gained popularity rapidly due to its efficiency and flexibility, becoming a cornerstone of software development.

Getting Started

To start programming in C++, you will typically need a C++ compiler and an integrated development environment (IDE). Microsoft Visual Studio provides a robust and feature-rich IDE for C++ development on Windows, along with powerful debugging tools.

Basic "Hello, World!" Example

Here is a simple C++ program that prints "Hello, World!" to the console:


#include <iostream>

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

Core Concepts

As you delve deeper into C++, you will encounter several fundamental concepts:

Variables and Data Types: Storing and manipulating data.
Control Flow: Directing the execution of your program (e.g., if statements, for loops).
Functions: Organizing code into reusable blocks.
Pointers and References: Direct memory manipulation.
Classes and Objects: The foundation of object-oriented programming.
Templates: Generic programming for reusable code.

This overview provides a starting point for your C++ journey. Explore the links in the navigation bar for detailed information on specific aspects of the language.

Last updated: October 26, 2023