Have you ever heard about the language of C ++ programming? Throughout this article we will explain what it is and what functions it has.
C ++ programming
C ++ is known as a type of compiled programming language that is part of the creation of software, and in the same way, for programs and applications.
This language was designed by the computer scientist, Bjame Stroustrup in 1979. Being Bjame the developer of this program, we will present you one of the quotes referring to this topic:
"I invented C ++, writing its first definitions, and producing the first implementation ... I chose and formulated the first design criteria for C ++, also made its main utilities, and was responsible for elaborating extensive proposals in the C ++ standards committee"
This scientist from Denmark was also responsible for writing the introductory texts to C ++ programming, the first being entitled "The C ++ Programming Language", which has four editions.
Before starting to explain in detail what C ++ is for, we must clarify: What is a programming language? When we want to give or give orders to computer programs, it is the programming language that serves as the structure for that.
What is the C ++ programming language for?
First, if we want to explain why C ++ works, we have to remember two important things which will help us understand in more detail: What is hardware and what is software.
The physical part within the devices, which are hard drives, RAM memories, microprocessors, Fax machines, monitors, among others, is what is known as Hardware; On the other hand, the software is what corresponds to the logical part, it gives the instructions to the Hardware about what it should do, when to do it and how it will do it.
Among the uses that we can highlight of C ++, there is the most important, which is the creation of software for computers, smartphones, among other different devices, but it has priority in the realization of professional software for computers.
The C ++ programming language intervenes in the design of video games, this is due to its speed. It is also the most used language in the creation of different operating systems, such as, for example: Unix, which is designed in the C language.
Do you want to know more about the C ++ programming language? Learn from the beginning, step by step, with the following video:
C ++ features
C ++ has many things to mention within itself, why it helps many programs and softwares, but in order to summarize the characteristics of the C ++ programming language, we have to do it in parts, below:
- It has one of the fastest compiled languages out there.
- Contains various optimization parameters.
- It has a complete and direct integration with the assembly language.
- It is an object-directed language.
- It has a large number of compilers between platforms and different operating systems.
- Among all the programming languages, this is among the most complex.
Advantages of the C ++ language
The C ++ programming language, as we mentioned earlier, is the one used for the creation of software, therefore, it has many advantages, among which we will mention below:
Speed when reading languages
Its main characteristic is its speed, which is the one that stands out the most among compiled languages, much more than in interpreted languages.
We will explain it to you in a simpler way: There are two types of programming languages, which are those mentioned above, the compiled language and the interpreted language; In the case of C ++, it is a compiled language, this means that when we end a program, at the moment we have to signal to the compiler that, worth the redundancy, compile the program, we will have as a result an executable file which is in machine language, which is a language that is easily read by microprocessors without inconvenience.
On the other hand, the interpreted language (which is used by Java and Python) are the ones that originate executable files in intermediate language and it is only when the person opens the program that the program will generate the machine language in real time.
Versatility
By using the C ++ programming language we will have optimal versatility without much effort. In other words, when we use Python to study programming, we will discover that with two or three lines, we can make a graphical window and if we add another two or three lines, we have a button.
That is simple, but let's say that a user hired us to make a software, they want a more personalized one, this work will be more complicated and the ease that we had, we no longer have it, why if we had to make a window that starts minimized ( this means that it only starts with an icon), it would have to have many more lines of code, which graphic libraries would not be able to do, since they do not have enough, this will make it difficult for us to have to make deliveries in a Limited time.
On the other hand, C ++, from the beginning we use a much more detailed programming, even to make a simple window, this means that it helps us from the beginning with its versatility without having to impose a lot of work, and to achieve more easily when it is try more personalized work.
The freedom to learn other languages
Once we give ourselves an opportunity to learn the C ++ programming language, it is easier for us to acquire the knowledge to learn other programming languages. Let us remember that as we said before, C ++ asks us for more details, care and care not to make mistakes, unlike other programs of a lower quality level, which are simpler, that is, when we learn these types of languages first and later, C ++, we will realize that the algorithms that this uses are more complex.
It is recommended that, if you do not have knowledge about programming languages, you could start with C ++, although it is worth noting that, for this, you must have a great initiative to learn about programming, otherwise, it could be more complicated of learning.
Jobs
It is recommended that when a programmer starts with programming languages, he must know for what purpose he requires it, in other words, is it mandatory to know the C ++ programming language? The answer to this is: depending on the job.
In the event that it is only for personal pleasure, it is preferable to focus on the simplest programming languages such as Python or Java, in addition to being easy to learn; It could also be useful if one day you want to work for companies that do not specialize in making software, since you could be in charge of maintaining the systems.
Otherwise, if you want to learn programming to work in companies that need someone to design software, it is essential that you have knowledge about what the C ++ programming language is and how it is used, this will give you a higher probability of being hired . Although it is recommended that you do not stick to a single programming language, you should at least know three, since this will increase the chance and give you a better image before companies that require a person to help them design software.
Think of it this way: Are you going to prefer someone who knows only one language or has knowledge of several? We will tell you that companies that make video games have preference in programmers who know C ++, in the same way, companies that are in charge of designing Anti virus, because these are not usually done in Python or Java.
Modern language
The C ++ language gives you the opportunity to create different types of very complex data, in addition to giving us the possibility of having relationships between them. Also, like other types of languages, it allows to implement different types of software design patterns.
Efficient memory
You have full control of the memory you want to use, this means that you will have a better and more efficient way of using memory. This can be possible thanks to the use of pointers that help you to address the memory inputs, you will only use the amount of memory that you actually need, resulting in less memory waste within the code.
Disadvantages of C ++
Just as this language has many advantages, which many programmers have pointed out for its efficiency, it also has certain disadvantages that, although there are not many, it is worth highlighting before, among which we can mention the following:
- Must have one build per platform.
- It is too broad a programming language, which makes it very complex and difficult to learn.
- It has many lines of code.
- Due to the errors it has, its debugging is very complicated.
- It does not have a graphical interface, which makes it much less intuitive.
- If you want to perform nested functions, you must rely on extensions.
- You won't have any instructions when you need to program objects (although it does have a derivative which might help you).
Comparison of C ++ with other programming languages
When Bjame Stroustru began to design C ++, at first it was known as "Secondary class", this is because it allowed to make paradigms for object orientation, unlike C that did not. Among the different comparisons that there are, we can mention the following:
Java
This one has syntax similar to C ++, in fact, they were based on it to simplify for programmers when they had to switch from one to the other, but both work well on machines, although you should be aware of the efficiency difficulties it has. On the plus side, you don't have the need to compile the language for different operating systems.
Peace
It is one of the most modern languages that currently exist. Like C ++, with its new standard (which is updated approximately every three years), it consists of different things of functional programming, although it is not at the same level as Haskell, which is based on it.
Differences between the C language and the C ++ language
C ++ has object-directed programming which C does not, although we cannot forget that C ++ is just an extension of C, which makes them both quite the same, in other words, if you are a programmer and already You know how to work with C, learning to use C ++ will not be so complicated, you just have to have knowledge of the documentation to be able to program.
Differences between the C ++ language and the C # language
First, we must clarify that C # is not completely a more advanced version of C ++, in fact, although they have many similarities, it has several characteristics that differentiate them.
C # is also a programming language, which is used by Microsoft for its software, as well as by companies for the development of video games. Although it is considered an evolution of C ++, it is different, since as we mentioned earlier, it has characteristics that make it different, such as:
Facilitates handling
Previously, the disadvantages that we mentioned of the C ++ programming language is that it can become very complex, while C # makes handling much easier, such as: the pointers that are in C and C ++, these are no longer used in C #, instead it uses other methods.
Memory management
In C ++, memory management had to be done manually, but with C # the memory is managed with a “Garbage Collector”, a process similar to that carried out in Java. This means that, in terms of its memory, it has evolved to that of C ++, but preserving the positive aspects that it had.
Pointer removal
Many programmers have complained about the pointers that C ++ has, because time was wasted in managing them, causing many people to prefer handling Java, since they could save many more hours.
Advance statements
C # does not allow forward declarations or also known as "Fowards", which is quite useful when you want to have a well done structure in a software. This is not to say that C ++ does not have this, but that in C # it is simpler to understand.
Exceptions handling
When the application has an error, it usually closes, which should not happen, but if you know how to make exceptions, even if it has errors, it will not close; It can be very useful when you have to design very complex software. C # exception handling can be very similar to Java, but it is more advanced than C ++.
Videogames and applications
C ++ is one of the most popular languages used in the development of video games because of how efficient and optimal it is, on the other hand, C # is the language that is used for the creation of Windows applications, since we must not forget that it belongs to Microsoft.
With C ++ you can make arcade games like Space Invader with only console characters and with C # you can make 3D games with Unity.
C ++ compilers
GNU is one of the types of operating systems that Unix has and is one of the free compilers that C ++ has.
Besides this, C ++ has many other compilers, among which we can mention: the Xcode compiler, the Intel C ++ compiter, the CodeWarrior C ++ compiler, the g ++ compiler belonging to Cygwin and the g ++ compiler which is from MinGW; there are many other more common compilers.
Process for learning C languages
It is very important that before learning the C ++ or C # language, you start with the C language, since it is considered the mainstay of many programming languages. Once you can master the C language, you will be able to start learning other types of language with much more ease and skill, and it will be less complex to adapt; It is as they say: You must learn to walk before you can run.
C ++ 11
One of the newer C ++ standards is C ++ 11, which was announced on August 12, 2011 by the chairman of the C ++ standards committee. It contains different lambda calculus functions, has optimal initialization, and as if that weren't enough, its standard library is more up-to-date.
This new version was the beginning to bring out other versions more updated to the needs, such as C ++ 14 and later C ++ 17, which is the most current version available. Now in 2020, the C ++ 20 version is being standardized and even a more advanced version is being worked on, which is C ++ 23.
Each of these new versions of C ++, more compilers are added over the years, this usually happens two or three years after the version has been released.
We invite you to read another of our articles: Computer to program .
