Brief overview of C++:
1. What is C++?
- C++ is a high-level, general-purpose programming language.
- It is an extension of the C programming language with added features like object-oriented programming.
2. Key Features:
- Object-Oriented: C++ supports classes and objects for organizing code.
- Portable: Code written in C++ can be compiled on various platforms.
- Efficient: C++ allows low-level memory manipulation and direct hardware access.
- Standard Template Library (STL): Provides data structures and algorithms.
3. Syntax:
- C++ programs are structured into functions.
- Statements end with a semicolon.
- `{}` defines code blocks.
4. Data Types:
- Basic data types like int, float, and char.
- User-defined data types through classes and structures.
5. Control Structures:
- `if`, `else if`, `else` for conditional statements.
- `for`, `while`, and `do-while` for loops.
- `switch` for multi-branch decisions.
6. Functions:
- Functions are defined with a return type, name, and parameters.
- Functions can be overloaded.
- Main entry point: `int main()`.
7. Classes and Objects:
- Classes define objects and their behavior.
- Objects are instances of classes.
- Encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism are supported.
8. Pointers and References:
- Pointers allow direct memory access.
- References are aliases for variables.
9. Dynamic Memory Allocation:
- `new` and `delete` operators for dynamic memory allocation.
10. File Handling:
- C++ supports reading and writing files.
11. Standard Template Library (STL):
- Contains containers (vectors, lists, etc.) and algorithms (sorting, searching, etc.).
12. Exception Handling:
- `try`, `catch`, and `throw` for handling runtime errors.
13. Namespaces:
- Used to avoid naming conflicts.
14. Preprocessor Directives:
- `#include` for including header files.
- `#define` for defining constants.
15. Comments:
- `//` for single-line comments.
- `/* */` for multi-line comments.
16. Compile and Build:
- Use a C++ compiler (e.g., g++, Visual C++) to compile source code.
17. IDEs and Text Editors:
- Popular IDEs for C++ development include Visual Studio, Code::Blocks, and CLion.
