C++ (programming language)

Overview

C++ is a general-purpose programming language that was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs during the early 1980s. It is an extension of the C programming language, or "C with Classes", which adds object-oriented programming features to C.

History

C++ was developed as an extension of the C programming language with the addition of classes and objects. The development of C++ was driven by the need for a language that could efficiently handle very large software systems. Stroustrup began working on "C with Classes" in 1979. The idea of creating a new language originated from Stroustrup's experience in programming for his PhD thesis. Stroustrup found that Simula had features that were very helpful for large software development, but the language was too slow for practical use. He decided to enhance the C language with Simula-like features. "C with Classes" was renamed to C++ in 1983.

Features

C++ includes several features that are not available in C. These include classes, objects, exception handling, overloading, and more. The language also provides the ability to define operators, and it includes a comprehensive set of libraries.

Classes and Objects

One of the main features of C++ is the ability to use classes and objects. These are the building blocks of object-oriented programming. A class defines the characteristics of an object, and an object is an instance of a class.

Exception Handling

C++ provides a mechanism to handle exceptions. This allows the programmer to deal with errors and other exceptional circumstances in a controlled and organized manner.

Overloading

C++ allows for overloading, which means that different functions can have the same name, but different parameters. Similarly, operators can be overloaded, allowing them to have different behavior depending on their operands.

Libraries

C++ includes a comprehensive set of libraries. These libraries provide a wide range of features and functionality, from input/output processing to complex mathematical calculations.

Syntax

The syntax of C++ is based on that of C, but with additional features for object-oriented programming and other enhancements. The basic syntax includes the use of semicolons to end statements, curly braces to group statements, and the use of keywords such as "if", "else", "for", "while", and others.

Usage

C++ is widely used in software development. It is particularly popular for system software, game development, and embedded systems. It is also used in many other areas, including web servers, desktop applications, and more.