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Frequently asked questions about C++
What is C++?
C++ is a general-purpose programming language first published in 1985, initially created as an expansion of the C programming language by Danish computer scientist Bjarne Stroustrup. It has generic, functional, and object-oriented features, low-level memory manipulation capabilities, static typing, and is usually compiled.
These features make C++ a fast, flexible language, with a bias for system programming, large systems where performance is paramount, and embedded systems where hardware resources are limited.
Available in several systems, with compilers from several different vendors, including GNU GCC and Microsoft Visual C++, and an extensive repertoire of libraries, C++ is an important language that, despite its long history, is still very relevant.
C++ is standardized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the latest version being C++17 (launched in 2017), with C++20 standard soon to be released.
What is C++ used for?
C++ is an efficient, flexible language, and its low-level memory manipulation capabilities made it suitable for several different kinds of applications, especially those where performance is required, or hardware power and resources are constrained, including:
- Desktop applications such as the Microsoft Office
- Browsers such as Mozilla Firefox
- Database software such as MySQL
- Operating Systems, including parts of the macOS
- Games
- Runtime environments, such as the Unity engine runtime environment
- Implementation of other programming languages such as Go
- Compilers for other programming languages
- Embedded systems
How long does it take to learn C++?
Basic C++ syntax can be learned in 3 or 4 months, but C++ has several complex features such as manual memory management that make it harder to learn and debug than other languages, especially garbage collected ones such as Java and Go. Knowledge of C is especially useful for those learning C++ due to the similarities of syntax.
What are the prerequisites for learning C++?
Before learning C++, it’s advised to acquire knowledge of basic programming concepts such as variables, arrays, functions, classes, and memory management. Since C++ is often used for high-performance applications, the study of algorithms is also recommended. Learning about debug tools such as Valgrind will also make one’s life easier when programming with C++.