All of us love our apps, browsers, and software. But have you ever wondered how all of them work? Have you ever wondered what goes on in the background of your favorite apps and software?
Everything that we do today in our day-to-day life is run by lines of codes that are invisible to most of us. Those who code for a living know how important these lines of code are for everyone.
There are tons of programming languages that have different purposes. And if you want to get into the world of programming, then C++ may be the best place to start.
In this guide, we will cover the C++ programming language and everything you need to know about it. Before you start learning about C++, learn what it is and what it’s used for.
What is C++?
C++ is one of the most common programming languages. C++ is around 40 years old and it has been the backbone of many software projects and projects. Coders use this language to make high-performance software and it is among the top programming languages.
While it is an old language, it doesn’t make it obsolete. C++ is one of the most used languages even today.
Career Opportunities in C++ Programming Language
C++ is the foundation language for a lot of other programming languages. If you want to build a career in computer science, then you need to have a knowledge of C++. Almost every coder you know who is actively pursuing the career definitely has knowledge of C++ language.
It is a versatile language, so it remains in high demand among professionals. This includes software developers, game developers, C++ analysts, and backend developers.
C++ is a Fast and Quick
C++ is an advanced programming language that supports various programming methods such as functional, procedural, and object-oriented programming. It’s a fast language, and its compile-time and execution time is much faster than other languages. There are some languages that are faster than C++, but they are not close to the machine code. It is an intermediary language, so basically, anyone can learn it with enough practice.
This is also the reason why businesses love C++ as it helps accomplish tasks with limited resources.
Advantages of C++ Programming Language
There are tons of advantages to using the C++ programming language. Here are all the benefits of using the C++ programming language to make your apps, and browsers.
- C++ is an object-oriented programming language. Its main focus is on objects and manipulations around these objects.
- If speed is crucial for your project, then C++ is the most preferred option.
- Unlike other programming languages, every C++ code has first to be compiled and then executed.
- C++ also supports pointers that aren’t available in other languages.
- The C++ Standard Template Library has tons of functions available to help write as quickly as possible.
- C++ is closer to hardware than most general-purpose programming languages.
How is C++ Used?
Almost all Windows programs and systems are written in either C or C++. Be it Windows, a web browser, your favorite game, or something else altogether, it all comes down to C++. Here’s a breakdown of all the areas where C++ is popularly used:
- Operating systems
- Games
- GUI based apps
- Web browsers
- Embedded systems
- Banking apps
- Code compilers
- Database management software
- Cloud/Distributed Systems
- Libraries
- Programming routers
- Telephone switches
- Space probes
- Advanced computation and graphics
Reasons to Learn C++
1. Suitable for Big Projects
If you’re working on big projects, then C++ is one of the best languages you can use. A lot of things are built using C++ including:
- Code compilers
- Cloud storage systems
- Databases
- Game development tools
- Graphic designs
All these projects require huge amounts of data efficiency, and C++ is the ideal choice for this.
Also, many apps and software that we use in our daily lives are built on C++. The most common example is Spotify. Spotify has its backbone code written in C++. We all know YouTube, and it’s built on C++. The Amazon App is also built on C++, however, there have been changes over the years and this software like this is developed using C++.
2. Huge Community
As we mentioned above, C++ is one of the oldest languages in the world. It is used and learned by millions of programmers across the world. This is why the language has the support of a huge community. Community plays a vital role for a learner. If someone needs any help or guidance regarding C++, many programmers and experts are using different platforms to create resources for C++.
This community helps the learners as well with the help of blogs, videos, and other resources.
3. C++ is Used Everywhere
C++ is a language that’s used almost everywhere across the globe. It’s used to make browsers, applications, and software. Also, C++ is used majorly to make Operating Systems. Some examples include Mac OS, Windows, Windows 11, Linux, etc.
Most commonly used browsers, such as Safari, Opera, Chrome, Firefox, etc, are written in C++. Game developers also love to use C++ as their core language as it’s fast and efficient. Any industry that requires high performance can use this language to make their software.
4. Makes it Easy to Learn Other Programming Languages
C++ is an intermediate-level language, when you learn this, you’ll get a deeper understanding of how to write code and how to think logically for writing code. When you’re learning C++, you’ll learn how to write, declare, and explain everything in the source code, giving you a deeper understanding of the programming language.
Other languages like Python are much easier to understand as it’s completely syntax-free. You don’t have to specify everything while writing its code, it makes coding easier, but you won’t get to learn how the logic in coding works.
5. Incredibly Versatile
C++ is around 40 years old and it is one of the most popular languages. The reason is simple. C++ is versatile in nature and it is an adaptable language. As it’s highly adaptable, it’s still useful when it comes to software and developing games. It has been used for so long that it has become compatible with almost all other programming languages.
All the top-tier companies want a workforce that has a good understanding of C++.
Top Alternatives to C++
C++ is one of the foremost goal-oriented programming languages, and it is used for developing apps. There are some alternative programming languages and platforms used today instead of C++. Let’s go through this one by one:
- Python
Python is one of the top alternatives for C++ languages. It’s super easy to learn, and it is an interpreted language. Similar to C++, Python allows users to build basically anything. Some programmers prefer Python over C++ because of its smaller and more straightforward codes.
Some use cases where Python is taking the lead over C++ are:
- Machine Learning
- Artificial Intelliegnce
- BigData
- Hadoop
- Automation
- Ruby
Ruby is a recently growing language and it’s highly interesting. Programs made with Ruby are much simpler. It has shorter codes than C++. The creators of Ruby have claimed that their goal was to make the language as easy as possible. If you want to learn a language that’s easy to understand and offers smaller codes. Ruby has a lot to offer. If you want to see how commonly Ruby is being used in today’s time. Then we should tell you that Facebook constantly uses Ruby.
- C#
C# comes in from the .Net family. It is part of C and C++. If you know about C and C++, then Microsoft has built this language for you. Let’s say you love C++, then you’d love C# as it’s basically an extension of C++. If you have a good understanding of C++, you’ll be able to grasp C# easily.
Conclusion – C++ Programming Languages
C++ is like the ace of all programming languages. You can build basically everything using C++ with ease. Plus, C++ is an incredibly lucrative market so you can earn great salaries for it. C++ has been known to offer perfect solutions to build careers.
