C++ is a general-purpose, multi-paradigm programming language created by Bjarne Stroustrup in the early 1980s.
This language is based on the popular C language, which at the time was “the best of the best.” This means it inherits many of C’s features and tries to be compatible with its syntax, as far as possible.
But C++ adds new functionalities compared to C. In particular, it adds object-oriented programming (OOP), being one of the first references in this paradigm.
In fact, the name C++ comes from the ”++” operation in C, which is used to increment a variable’s value by 1, indicating that it is an “evolved version” of C (a programmer’s joke they came up with).
Despite the years, “the grandpa” language C++ remains a widely used language. It is a very powerful and versatile programming language that allows us great control over hardware and system resources. In return, it is more complicated than other modern languages.
On the other hand, C++ has been a language that has evolved a lot. Naturally, it’s 40 years old, of course it’s going to change. However, it’s one of the worst-used and worst-taught languages because it’s done… well, like 40 years ago.
So, in this course, we will learn to use C++ and “lose our fear of it.” At the same time, we will try to explain the modern features of the language and how to use them today.
Main Characteristics of C++
C++ stands out for a combination of high-level and low-level in a single language. You can use high-level abstractions but also write low-level code for critical tasks when necessary.
On one hand, C++ has full support for object-oriented programming (OOP) (it allows the use of classes and objects, abstractions that let us model real-world entities in code).
However, C++ maintains access to low-level features, such as pointers and direct memory management (meaning it allows very close control of hardware and system resources).
Consequently, C++ is known for being a high-performance language. In general, C++ code tends to be very fast to execute. So much so that it is often used as a benchmark for “what is fast.”
Furthermore, C++ is a portable and cross-platform language. Code written in C++ can be compiled and run on a wide variety of platforms and operating systems.
Finally, C++ is a multi-purpose language. That is, it can be used to create any type of application, without being restricted to a single field or domain. You can use it for all kinds of programs, as we will see next.
Fields of Application for C++
As I said, C++ stands out for the combination of high-level and low-level. This makes it ideal for applications that require efficiency and control over the use of system resources (or when resources are very limited).
Some examples are:
- Operating systems and system kernels
- Compiler and debugger development
- Embedded systems and devices
- Systems with large volumes of data
- Artificial intelligence, computer vision, and machine learning
- Video games and graphical applications
That’s something! So, it’s a very interesting language that allows us both to learn the basics of programming and to participate in a huge number of projects.
