Full course C++

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This module provides a foundational understanding of C++, a versatile and widely-used programming language. Designed for beginners, it covers the basic concepts and syntax necessary to start coding in C++. You will learn about variables, data types, operators, control structures, and the principles of object-oriented programming. By the end of this module, you will have the skills to write simple C++ programs and understand the core features that make C++ a powerful tool for software development.

History and Evolution of C++:

Origins: C++ was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Laboratories (now Nokia Bell Labs) in the early 1980s. Initially named “C with Classes,” it was created as an extension of the C programming language to incorporate object-oriented features. Stroustrup aimed to enhance C by adding Simula’s object-oriented capabilities while retaining the efficiency and flexibility of C.

Future and Modern Use:

C++ continues to evolve, with ongoing development focusing on simplifying the language, enhancing performance, and improving safety. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for system software, game development, high-performance applications, and more.

Key Milestones:

  1. 1983:The language was renamed C++ to signify its evolution from C, with “++” symbolizing an increment or improvement.
  2. 1985:The first edition of “The C++ Programming Language” by Stroustrup was published, providing a comprehensive reference for programmers.
  3. 1990:The first major update, known as ANSI C++, introduced features like multiple inheritance, abstract classes, and static member functions.
  4. 1998:The ISO/IEC standardization of C++ (C++98) was completed, formally defining the language and its standard library.
  5. 2003:C++03, a minor revision, provided bug fixes and small enhancements to the C++98 standard.
  6. 2011:C++11 (formerly known as C++0x) brought significant updates, including auto keyword, range-based for loops, lambda expressions, smart pointers, and the introduction of the standard template library (STL).
  7. 2014:C++14, a refinement of C++11, added minor features like generic lambdas and improved runtime performance.
  8. 2017:C++17 continued the evolution with features like structured bindings, if-initializers, and parallel algorithms.
  9. 2020:C++20 introduced major advancements, including concepts, modules, coroutines, and the standardization of the “three-way comparison” operator.

Course Outline

Setting Up the Development Environment

To begin coding in C++, you need to set up a development environment. This involves installing an IDE (Integrated Development Environment), which provides tools like a code editor, compiler, and debugger in one interface. Here’s how to set up popular IDEs for C++:

1. Visual Studio (Windows)

Steps:

  1. Download: Go to the Visual Studio website.
  2. Install: Choose the “Community” version (free) and run the installer.
  3. Select Workloads: During installation, select the “Desktop development with C++” workload.
  4. Finish Installation: Complete the setup and launch Visual Studio.
  5. Create a New Project: Go to “File > New > Project,” select a C++ Console App template, and start coding.

2. Code::Blocks (Cross-platform)

Steps:

  1. Download: Visit the Code::Blocks website.
  2. Install: Download the version that includes the MinGW setup (provides the GCC compiler).
  3. Setup: Run the installer and follow the prompts.
  4. Configure Compiler: If not auto-detected, set up the MinGW compiler in “Settings > Compiler.”
  5. Create a New Project: Go to “File > New > Project,” select “Console Application,” and choose C++.

3. CLion (Cross-platform, JetBrains)

Steps:

  1. Download: Visit the JetBrains CLion website.
  2. Install: Download and install the IDE.
  3. Set Up Compiler: CLion uses CMake for project management. Ensure you have a compatible C++ compiler (e.g., GCC, Clang) installed.
  4. Create a New Project: Open CLion, select “New Project,” configure CMake settings, and start coding.

4. Xcode (macOS)

Steps:

  1. Install Xcode: Open the App Store, search for Xcode, and install it.
  2. Set Up Command Line Tools: Open Terminal and run xcode-select –install to install the command-line developer tools.
  3. Create a New Project: Launch Xcode, select “Create a new Xcode project,” choose “macOS > Command Line Tool,” and set the language to C++.

5. Visual Studio Code (Cross-platform)

Steps:

  1. Download: Visit the Visual Studio Code website.
  2. Install Extensions: After installation, open VS Code and install the “C/C++” extension from Microsoft for code editing and debugging.
  3. Set Up Compiler: Ensure you have a C++ compiler like GCC or Clang installed. On Windows, you can use MinGW or WSL.
  4. Configure Tasks: Create a tasks.json and launch.json file for build and debug configurations.
  5. Start Coding: Open a new file, save it with a .cpp extension, and start writing code.e Tool,” and set the language to C++.