How to Learn C++

C++ is one of the most important coding languages, and it’s routinely used for everything from operating systems to video games. It can help you get a solid start in programming and break into developing in a field that requires high performance and efficiency.

Keep reading to learn why C++ is an investment in your career.

Why Learn C++

C++ is one of the top programming languages used today. It’s been around for decades, yet it remains relevant for a wide range of programs and applications. Here are some of its benefits: 

Performance and Control

Unlike many modern programming languages, C++ gives you flexible control over memory management and the system hardware that the program runs on. 

The language is well known for performance and efficiency, making it ideal for applications where speed and system resource optimization are critical. With C++, you can fine-tune your code for game development, high-performance computing, and real-time systems.

Versatility and Applications

Although C++ is an older programming language, it’s a versatile tool used across various programming domains. Significant portions of many operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS, were written in C++.

It’s also used as the foundation for high-performance game engines, such as Unreal Engine, and performance-critical applications, including databases and file shares. Other industries, such as finance, embedded systems, and medical technology, depend on C++ for reliability.

Foundation for Other Languages

C++ is one of the foundational languages of computer science, along with ANSI C, FORTRAN, COBOL, and BASIC. Since it was created at the transition point from structured programming to object-oriented programming (OOP), it retains the efficiency of ANSI C but adds the flexibility of OOP.

Many newer languages, such as Java and C#, take inspiration from C++. Making it easy to transfer your knowledge between related languages. 

Getting Started with C++

Let’s take a look at how you can get started with C++.

Your First Development Environment

Coding in C++ is a little more involved than with other languages, but many tools and concepts remain the same. To get started, follow these steps:

• Pick an integrated development environment (IDE): In general software development, you need tools such as a code editor, compiler, and debugger, which most IDEs have. Popular choices include Visual Studio, Code::Blocks, and Xcode. Don’t overthink it — just pick one and go. Visual Studio is an excellent starter IDE — it will grow with you as you learn to code.
• Pick a C++ compiler: The compiler is the software that translates your code into instructions the computer can understand and execute. GCC is a great pick for new coders. 
• Write your first program: Any new programmer or computer science student is familiar with the “Hello, World!” program. This simple program can be written in any language to familiarize the coder with its syntax and structure. 

Key Concepts in C++

With your development environment set up, it’s time to look at the concepts that make up the C++ programming language.

• Variables, data types, and operators: Programming languages use variables to store data. C++ is no stranger to this approach, and each variable has a data type, such as an integer, floating-point number, or character, that determines what kind of values it can hold.
• Control structures: Your program has a flow similar to a car going down a road. Control structures dictate your program code’s flow of execution. Loops (such as for and while) allow a block of code to repeat, and conditionals (such as if and else) enable your program to make decisions based on the conditions you’ve set.
• Object-oriented programming (OOP) and functions: Functions are reusable blocks of code that perform specific tasks, while OOP is a way of organizing code with objects that have properties (data) and methods (functions). OOP concepts include classes (think of a blueprint but for an object), objects (instances of classes), inheritance (creating new classes from existing ones), and polymorphism (allowing objects of different classes to be treated as if they were the same type). 
• Memory management: C++ gives you direct control over memory management. It uses pointers, which are variables that hold memory addresses. This lets you directly manipulate data in memory. Dynamic memory allocation allows the programmer to request and release memory as needed when the program runs. With this level of power and control comes great responsibility. If misused, it can cause memory leaks and other performance issues, such as crashing your program—or even your entire system.

Advanced Topics in C++

With the basics of C++ covered, it’s time to dive into more advanced concepts, such as:

• Templates and generic programming: Templates let you write code that can work for different data types without being rewritten and allow you to create more generalized functions and classes that can adapt to various data types. 
• Exception handling: This is a defined way of dealing with errors and other unexpected situations that could happen during program execution. Good exception handling prevents programs from crashing and shows users informative messages that explain what went wrong. If you’ve ever used a Microsoft product and seen the dreaded “a generic error occurred in…” message, you’ve seen poor exception handling in action. 
• The C++ standard library (STL): The STL is a collection of ready-to-use classes and functions for common tasks, such as working with containers (e.g., arrays, lists, maps) and algorithms (e.g., searching, sorting). We’ve been taught from a young age that it’s wrong to copy others’ work, but when it comes to programming, you want to reuse as much as possible, including code. You should use the classes and functions in the STL wherever possible. This simplifies the programming process and helps you become a more productive coder.
• Multithreading and concurrency: Early computers had CPUs with one processing core, and early programming languages were written to execute only one part of the code at a time on those CPUs. Now, CPUs have dozens of cores, and programming languages, such as C++, allow you to create programs that can execute different parts of the code base simultaneously.

Practice Projects to Enhance Your Skills

Hands-on projects are the best way to build your C++ knowledge. The following projects can help you learn and master the various C++ concepts as you work through them:

• Simple applications: Building a basic calculator, to-do list app, or program that converts between units of measurement, such as inches to centimeters, is a great way to build your C++ programming skills. All three projects allow you to apply fundamental concepts, such as variables, data types, operators, and control structures, and learn how they work.
• Game development: Game development is a massive programming area, and there are many ways to approach it. The best way to get started is to create a simple 2D game, such as Pong or Tetris, using libraries such as SFML or SDL. Game development is a great way to learn how computers render graphics, general event handling, and user input handling. This C++ fundamentals course is a great starting point for learners who want to use C++ to build video games.
• Real-world applications: Once you’ve learned the basics, try creating more complex programs, such as a file manager, text editor, or simple web server. These projects will introduce you to more advanced concepts, such as file input/output (I/O), data structures, and network programming.

Resources for Learning C++ and Preparing for C++ Certification

Many excellent resources are available to help you learn C++ and grow as a programmer. 

Books

• C++ Primer: This book is an excellent guide for beginners and covers the fundamental concepts. It comes highly recommended in C++ programming circles and provides clear explanations and practical examples. Although the current version, the 5th edition, was written in 2012, it’s still considered up-to-date as the fundamentals of the programming language haven’t changed much over the years.
  
• Effective C++: This book is more advanced and focuses on best practices and writing efficient code. It discusses the nuances of programming to help you write better and more optimized code.

Online Resources

• Udemy: Udemy has everything you need to go from a novice programmer to a C++ professional.  You can also explore the C++ Certified Associate Programmer (CPA) Courses to earn a certification that will further demonstrate your proficiency and enhance your career prospects in C++ programming.
• Geeks for Geeks: This website provides a large repository of C++ tutorials, articles, and practice problems. You can find in-depth solutions and explanations to common challenges.
• cplusplus.com: This reference website has a wealth of information about the language features and STL. It’s an excellent resource for looking up details specific to the C++ language and how libraries function.

Communities and Forums

• Stack Overflow: On this platform, you can ask questions and get help from experienced C++ developers. It’s an active community where you can get answers to just about any problem you might encounter when learning the language. 
• Reddit’s C++ Group: This website is a community where you can discuss C++ topics and share your projects with others.

How to Stay Up-to-Date With C++

C++ is an evolving language with new libraries being developed over time. To stay current, follow these best practices:

• Follow C++ blogs and news: Keep up with the latest developments by reading blogs and websites dedicated to programming industry news.
  • Check out these resources:
    • https://isocpp.org/blog
    • https://devblogs.microsoft.com/cppblog/ 
• Participate in open-source projects: Find one or two open-source projects that resonate with you and see if you can contribute to any portion of the code base in C++.
• Continue learning: When you notice a new C++ standard or library appear, try it out. There’s always something new to discover and learn over time.

Bringing It All Together

Learning C++ is an investment in your future. It’s used in many different applications, and it opens doors to careers in software development, game development, and more.

If you spend enough time with C++, you can become an expert and stand out in the programming world. This language is incredibly versatile and powerful, so it won’t be going away any time soon. Start your C++ learning journey with Udemy today and unlock a world of new possibilities.