Introduction to C++ Programming

Introduction to Computer Programming

• A computer or program is a sequence of statements used to accomplish a task.
• Programming is the process of planning and creating a program.

What is C++?

• C++ is a portable programming language that works on various operating systems (Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS, Linux, and Unix).
• It was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup, a Danish computer scientist.
• C++ is based on C and retains many of its features, including a rich operator set.
• C++ compilers are compatible with existing C programs.
• Programming in C++ does not require a graphics environment.
• C++ programs do not have runtime expenses from type checking or garbage collection.
• C++ has improved on C in significant ways, especially in supporting strong typing.
• It supports object-oriented programming (OOP).
• C++ is a mid-level language combining high-level and low-level language features.
• C++ programs are collections of functions.
• Every C++ program has a main function.

OOP (Object-Oriented Programming)

• Unlike C (which is a procedural language), C++ is an object-oriented language.
• C++ employs objects in programming.

Platform or Machine Independence/Portability

• Portability refers to using the same code in different environments.
• C++ is highly portable.
• Compilers are available for numerous platforms.

Simple

• C++ has a simple context, appealing to programmers eager to learn new languages.

Mid-level Programming Language

• C++ combines high-level and low-level language features.
• It can be considered a superset of C; thus, any valid C program is also a valid C++ program.

Case Sensitive

• C++ is case-sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters are treated differently.

Compiler Based

• C++ is a compiler-based language, meaning it's faster than interpreter-based languages like Python and Java.

Dynamic Memory Allocation (DMA)

• C++ supports dynamic memory allocation using pointers.
• It allows for dynamic memory allocation and the use of constructors and destructors with classes and objects.

Rich Library

• C++ has a rich built-in library of functions that simplify programming tasks.
• These functions are accessed by including header files.

Fast

• It is a compiler-based language making it faster than other interpreter based languages such as Python and Java.

Recursion

• In C++, when a function calls itself within the same function, it is called recursion.
• The function calling itself is considered a recursive function.

Comments in C++

• Single-line comments start with //, and multi-line comments are surrounded by /* and */.

Preprocessor Directives

• Statements starting with # are processed before compilation.
• Including the iostream header file supplies input/output functionality (e.g. cout and cin).
• The using namespace std; statement avoids writing std:: before cout and cin.

Essential Syntax

• #include <iostream> and using namespace std; are generally required.

Basic Data Types

• Data types specify the size and type of information a variable will store.
• Common data types include int, float, double, boolean, and char.

Flowcharting

• A flowchart is a graphical representation of a process or algorithm.
• Key symbols represent different steps (start, end, input/output, process, etc.)
• Flowlines illustrate the sequence of steps.

Control Structures

• Control structures manage the flow of program execution.
• Statements control program behavior either based on certain conditions or when dealing with specific circumstances.
• Control structures enable grouping of instructions into a logical unit with one entry and exit point.

C++ Conditions

• C++ uses relational and logical operators to specify conditions.
• Conditions have the power to decide which parts of a program need to execute, to control its behavior.
• C++ uses if, else, if-else if, else, and switch for conditional programming.

Iterative/Repetition/Loops Control Structures

• Loops enable statements to be repeated while a condition remains true.
• C++ has while, do-while, and for loops for repetition.

C++ Functions

• Functions are blocks of code to perform tasks, often reusable for efficiency.
• Functions have definitions for their purpose and method as well as parameters which are pieces of data passed into it.
• They are labeled using specific names.

Void Functions

• Functions that do not return a value.
• They are often used for tasks like printing results on the screen, or other tasks that don't need to return a value.

Returning Values from Functions

• Functions can return values using the return keyword, specifying the type of value returned.

Function Call by Value/Reference

• Function call by value copies the value of the argument to a parameter.
• Function call by reference copies the memory address.

C++ Arrays

• Arrays store multiple values of the same data type in contiguous memory locations.
• They provide a structured way to access/manage multiple pieces of data at once, instead of declaring separate variables for each value..

Declaring Arrays

• To declare an array, the programmer defines the data type and name of the array, along with the number of elements it will store.
• Two dimensional arrays, similarly, can be declared to provide structure.

Initializing Arrays

• Arrays can be initialized in C++ with individual values or via a single statement .

Explore the basics of C++ programming, including its history, features, and the significance of the main function. This quiz will help you understand how C++ combines high-level and low-level programming concepts and supports object-oriented programming methodologies.