Computer programming has advanced significantly over the years. From writing individual instructions in the assembly language one after the other to the invention of languages like COBOL and FORTRAN for use in specific fields. However, the most revolutionary invention in the industry was the development of C on the UNIX operating system.

The C language is often known as a computer language that sits in the ground blending the advantages of high level languages with the capabilities of assembly language. It is designed to be hardware and system agnostic making it versatile and adaptable.

However, despite giving programmers what they want, an enhanced version of C, namely C++, is available and is one of the most popular languages in computer programming and web scraping.

If you’re interested in gaining knowledge about the C++ programming language and finding the best approach to learning it, this article is an informative guide to aid your cause.

What is C++?

C++ is an object-oriented, generic programming language  mainly used to build software thanks to its emphasis on  using data fields with unique attributes as opposed to functions and logic. Moreover, its versatility has made it the preferred language for building not only fast and reliable software but also embedded systems, and complex applications.

C++ is considered an iteration of C because it encompasses all the elements of C while also providing support for object oriented programming.. However, using it as just a better variation of C without exploring additional factors such as how to scrap using C++ is not the best way to maximize its efficiency, so here’s why is it important to learn C++ in a way that enables you to make the most of it? Let’s find out

Why Learn C++?

Many programmers regard C++ as one of the best programming languages because, similar to C, its concepts have stood the test of time, going on to influence modern programming languages. This explains why it seems to be everywhere, from your favorite software that you use regularly to the now-popular cryptocurrency Bitcoin.

C++ is the language to learn if you want to better grasp how computer programming works, especially as a beginner. This is because it will provide you with the groundwork for learning other, more complex programming languages.

Moreover, it is also the language of choice for any programmer looking to develop a software that can interact with a computer’s hardware and effectively work in collaboration to fulfill its purpose.

So why wouldn’t someone want to learn C++ with all these benefits? And if you’re looking to take that path, the good news is that you can learn from online resources without even having to buy a proprietary compiler!

How to Learn C++

C++ has become widely recognized as one of the most in demand programming languages. As a result there is a wealth of learning materials and resources available to help aspiring programmers master it. While it is possible for anyone to learn the language having some prior programming experience can be advantageous when diving into C++.

While learning C++, the basics matter the most. These include storing information, repeating actions through loops, and collecting user input. Together with the basic general programming principles such as understanding the syntax and being able to go through a program, they are the best foundations you can have for efficient C++ learning. That said, here are some simple steps to get you started learning C++:

Learn C++ Syntax and Do Tutorials

In the field of computer programming, syntax pertains to a collection of rules that dictate the arrangement of symbols. These rules are crucial for enabling computers to understand and execute code. In essence, syntax can be likened to the grammar of a programming language serving as the framework for all written instructions, within it. Similarly, C++ syntax defines how the code is written and understood. Some examples include: 

• Using namespace std is often abbreviated with the keyword std and contains the built-in classes and declared functions.
• #include <iostream> is an object-oriented header file library that provides input and output functionality using streams. Simply put, it declares objects that control reading from writing, thus defining the standards for objects in C++ code.
• Return 0 in the main function always means that the program was executed successfully and that nothing else will return as output except strings of text.
• cout defines outputs or strings of words in the code. It is used to display the output to the standard output devices, usually the screen, inserting the data using the insertion operator (<<)

Simply putting these together will enable you to create simple lines of code to accomplish various tasks.

Practice C++ Basics

After mastering C++ syntax, the next step for an aspiring programmer would be to understand the more complex aspects of the language, which include:

• Functions – This is a block of code or group of statements that together perform a specific operation. Every C++ program has at least one function, which can optionally return a value as output.
• Classes and Objects – In C++, a class is a user-defined data type that holds its own members and functions and is a building block to object-oriented programming. On the other hand, objects are runtime entities created at runtime as an instance of a class and can be used to access all members of the class.
• Polymorphism – In a normal context, polymorphism refers to the ability to appear in many forms. Similarly, in C++, it means that a call to a member function causes a different function to be executed. This depends on the type of object that is tasked with invoking the function.
• Arrays – An array is a data structure used to store multiple values albeit in a single variable instead of separately. If you want to declare an array, define the variable type, specify the array name in square brackets, and specify the number of elements you want it to store.

Put Your Knowledge into Practice

Having acquired some basic and complex C++ programming skills, you can put them to good use by working on a project to see how the different aspects of the language blend to develop programs.

You can also join the numerous online communities for interests and applications of C++ and connect with like-minded professionals.