Overview of CPP
Overview of CPP
The image above shows the basic C++ program that contains header files, main
function, namespace declaration, etc. Let’s try to understand them one by one.
1. Header File
The header files contain the definition of the functions and macros are using in
our program. They are defined on the top of the C++ program.
In line #1, we used the #include <iostream> statement to tell the compiler to
include an iostream header file library which stores the definition of the cin and
cout methods that used for input and output. #include is a preprocessor
directive using which we import header files.
Syntax:
#include <library_name>
To know more about header files, please refer to the article – Header Files in
C/C++.
2. Namespace
3. Main Function
Functions are basic building blocks of a C++ program that contains the
instructions for performing some specific task. Apart from the instructions
present in its body, a function definition also contains information about its
return type and parameters. To know more about C++ functions, please refer to
the article Functions in C++.
In line #3, it defined the main function as int main(). The main function is the
most important part of any C++ program. The program execution always starts
from the main function. All the other functions are called from the main function.
In C++, the main function is required to return some value indicating the
execution status.
Syntax:
int main() {
4. Blocks
Blocks are the group of statements that are enclosed within { } braces. They
define the scope of the identifiers and are generally used to enclose the body of
functions and control statements.
The body of the main function is from line #4 to line #9 enclosed within { }.
Syntax:
{
return 0;
}
5. Semicolons
6. Identifiers
The identifiers for the naming of variables, functions, and other user-defined
data types. An identifier may consist of uppercase and lowercase alphabetical
characters, underscore, and digits. The first letter must be an underscore or an
alphabet.
Example:
int num1 = 24;
int num2 = 34;
num1 & num2 are the identifiers and int is the data type.
7. Keywords
In the C++ programming language, there are some reserved words that are
used for some special meaning in the C++ program. It can’t be used for
identifiers.
For example, the words int, return, and using are some keywords used in our
program. These all have some predefined meaning in the C++ language.
There are total 95 keywords in C++. These are some keywords.
int void if while for
auto bool break
this static new true false
case char class
To know more about Identifiers and Keywords in C++, refer to the article C/C++
Tokens.
In line #7, the cout method which is the basic output method in C++ to output
the sum of two numbers in the standard output stream (stdout).
Syntax:
cout << result << endl;
To know more about basic input and output in C++, please refer to the article
– Basic Input and Output in C.
Now, we have a better understanding of the basic syntax structure of the above
C++ program. Let’s try to execute this program and see if it works correctly.
Sample C++ Program:
// C++ program to demonstrate the basic syntax
// Header File Library
#include <iostream>
// Standard Namespace
using namespace std;
// Main Function
int main()
{
// Declaration of Variable
int num1 = 24;
// Output
cout << result << endl;
// Return Statement
return 0;
}
References : https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/cpp-basic-syntax
C++ Syntax
Let's break up the following code to understand it better:
Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
cout << "Hello World!";
return 0;
}
Example explained
Line 1: #include <iostream> is a header file library that lets us work with
input and output objects, such as cout (used in line 5). Header files add
functionality to C++ programs.
Line 2: using namespace std means that we can use names for objects and
variables from the standard library.
Don't worry if you don't understand how #include <iostream> and using
namespace std works. Just think of it as something that (almost) always
appears in your program.
Line 3: A blank line. C++ ignores white space. But we use it to make the
code more readable.
Line 4: Another thing that always appear in a C++ program, is int main().
This is called a function. Any code inside its curly brackets {} will be
executed.
Note: The body of int main() could also been written as:
int main () { cout << "Hello World! "; return 0; }
Line 7: Do not forget to add the closing curly bracket } to actually end the
main function.
Omitting Namespace
You might see some C++ programs that runs without the standard namespace
library. The using namespace std line can be omitted and replaced with
the std keyword, followed by the :: operator for some objects:
Example
#include <iostream>
int main() {
std::cout << "Hello World!";
return 0;
}
Example
int myNum = 5; // Integer (whole number)
float myFloatNum = 5.99; // Floating point number
double myDoubleNum = 9.98; // Floating point number
char myLetter = 'D'; // Character
bool myBoolean = true; // Boolean
string myText = "Hello"; // String
int
int myNum = 1000;
cout << myNum;
float
float myNum = 5.75;
cout << myNum;
double
double myNum = 19.99;
cout << myNum;
Scientific Numbers
A floating point number can also be a scientific number with an "e" to indicate
the power of 10:
Example
float f1 = 35e3;
double d1 = 12E4;
cout << f1;
cout << d1;
Example
bool isCodingFun = true;
bool isFishTasty = false;
cout << isCodingFun; // Outputs 1 (true)
cout << isFishTasty; // Outputs 0 (false)
Boolean values are mostly used for conditional testing, which you will learn
more about in a later chapter.
Example
char myGrade = 'B';
cout << myGrade;
Example
char a = 65, b = 66, c = 67;
cout << a;
cout << b;
cout << c;
Tip: A list of all ASCII values can be found in our ASCII Table Reference.
Example
To use strings, you must include an additional header file in the source code,
the <string> library:
Example
// Include the string library
#include <string>
Example
string firstName = "John ";
string lastName = "Doe";
string fullName = firstName + lastName;
cout << fullName;
Example
string firstName = "John";
string lastName = "Doe";
string fullName = firstName + " " + lastName;
cout << fullName;
Append
A string in C++ is actually an object, which contain functions that can perform
certain operations on strings. For example, you can also concatenate strings
with the append() function:
Example
string firstName = "John ";
string lastName = "Doe";
string fullName = firstName.append(lastName);
cout << fullName;
Example
int x = 10;
int y = 20;
int z = x + y; // z will be 30 (an integer)
Example
string x = "10";
string y = "20";
string z = x + y; // z will be 1020 (a string)
Example
string x = "10";
int y = 20;
string z = x + y;
Example
string txt = "ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ";
cout << "The length of the txt string is: " << txt.length();
Example
string myString = "Hello";
cout << myString[0];
// Outputs H
Note: String indexes start with 0: [0] is the first character. [1] is the second
character, etc.
Example
string myString = "Hello";
cout << myString[1];
// Outputs e
Example
string myString = "Hello";
myString[0] = 'J';
cout << myString;
// Outputs Jello instead of Hello
Tip: You might see some C++ programs that use the size() function to get the
length of a string. This is just an alias of length(). It is completely up to you if
you want to use length() or size():
Example
string txt = "ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ";
cout << "The length of the txt string is: " << txt.size();
Example
#include <iostream>
#include <string>
int main() {
std::string greeting = "Hello";
std::cout << greeting;
return 0;
}
C++ Operators
Operators are used to perform operations on variables and values.
In the example below, we use the + operator to add together two values:
Example
int x = 100 + 50;
Although the + operator is often used to add together two values, like in the
example above, it can also be used to add together a variable and a value, or a
variable and another variable:
Example
int sum1 = 100 + 50; // 150 (100 + 50)
int sum2 = sum1 + 250; // 400 (150 + 250)
int sum3 = sum2 + sum2; // 800 (400 + 400)
• Arithmetic operators
• Assignment operators
• Comparison operators
• Logical operators
• Bitwise operators
Arithmetic Operators
Arithmetic operators are used to perform common mathematical operations.
Assignment Operators
Assignment operators are used to assign values to variables.
In the example below, we use the assignment operator (=) to assign the
value 10 to a variable called x:
Example
int x = 10;
Example
int x = 10;
x += 5;
= x=5 x=5
+= x += 3 x=x+3
-= x -= 3 x=x-3
*= x *= 3 x=x*3
/= x /= 3 x=x/3
%= x %= 3 x=x%3
|= x |= 3 x=x|3
^= x ^= 3 x=x^3
Comparison Operators
Comparison operators are used to compare two values (or variables). This is
important in programming, because it helps us to find answers and make
decisions.
In the following example, we use the greater than operator (>) to find out if 5
is greater than 3:
Example
int x = 5;
int y = 3;
cout << (x > y); // returns 1 (true) because 5 is greater than 3
== Equal to x == y
!= Not equal x != y
As with comparison operators, you can also test for true (1) or false (0) values
with logical operators.
Logical operators are used to determine the logic between variables or values:
&& Logical and Returns true if both statements are true x < 5 && x < 10
! Logical not Reverse the result, returns false if the result is true !(x < 5 && x < 10)
C++ Booleans
Very often, in programming, you will need a data type that can only have one of
two values, like:
• YES / NO
• ON / OFF
• TRUE / FALSE
For this, C++ has a bool data type, which can take the values true (1)
or false (0).
Boolean Values
A boolean variable is declared with the bool keyword and can only take the
values true or false:
Example
bool isCodingFun = true;
bool isFishTasty = false;
cout << isCodingFun; // Outputs 1 (true)
cout << isFishTasty; // Outputs 0 (false)
Boolean Expression
A Boolean expression returns a boolean value that is either 1 (true)
or 0 (false).
You can use a comparison operator, such as the greater than (>) operator, to
find out if an expression (or variable) is true or false:
Example
int x = 10;
int y = 9;
cout << (x > y); // returns 1 (true), because 10 is higher than 9
Or even easier:
Example
cout << (10 > 9); // returns 1 (true), because 10 is higher than 9
Example
int x = 10;
cout << (x == 10); // returns 1 (true), because the value of x is equal
to 10
Example
In the example below, we use the >= comparison operator to find out if the age
(25) is greater than OR equal to the voting age limit, which is set to 18:
Example
int myAge = 25;
int votingAge = 18;
cout << (myAge >= votingAge); // returns 1 (true), meaning 25 year olds
are allowed to vote!
Cool, right? An even better approach (since we are on a roll now), would be to
wrap the code above in an if...else statement, so we can perform different
actions depending on the result:
Example
Output "Old enough to vote!" if myAge is greater than or equal to 18. Otherwise
output "Not old enough to vote.":
Booleans are the basis for all C++ comparisons and conditions.
C++ Variables
Variables are containers for storing data values.
Syntax
type variableName = value;
Where type is one of C++ types (such as int), and variableName is the name of
the variable (such as x or myName). The equal sign is used to assign values
to the variable.
To create a variable that should store a number, look at the following example:
Example
Create a variable called myNum of type int and assign it the value 15:
You can also declare a variable without assigning the value, and assign the
value later:
Example
int myNum;
myNum = 15;
cout << myNum;
Note that if you assign a new value to an existing variable, it will overwrite the
previous value:
Example
int myNum = 15; // myNum is 15
myNum = 10; // Now myNum is 10
cout << myNum; // Outputs 10
Other Types
A demonstration of other data types:
Example
int myNum = 5; // Integer (whole number without decimals)
double myFloatNum = 5.99; // Floating point number (with decimals)
char myLetter = 'D'; // Character
string myText = "Hello"; // String (text)
bool myBoolean = true; // Boolean (true or false)
You will learn more about the individual types in the Data Types chapter.
Display Variables
The cout object is used together with the << operator to display variables.
To combine both text and a variable, separate them with the << operator:
Example
int myAge = 35;
cout << "I am " << myAge << " years old.";
Example
int x = 5;
int y = 6;
int sum = x + y;
cout << sum;
You can use these conditions to perform different actions for different decisions.
The if Statement
Use the if statement to specify a block of C++ code to be executed if a
condition is true.
Syntax
if (condition) {
// block of code to be executed if the condition is true
}
Note that if is in lowercase letters. Uppercase letters (If or IF) will generate an
error.
In the example below, we test two values to find out if 20 is greater than 18. If
the condition is true, print some text:
Example
if (20 > 18) {
cout << "20 is greater than 18";
}
Example
int x = 20;
int y = 18;
if (x > y) {
cout << "x is greater than y";
}
Example explained
C++ Else
The else Statement
Use the else statement to specify a block of code to be executed if the condition
is false.
Syntax
if (condition) {
// block of code to be executed if the condition is true
} else {
// block of code to be executed if the condition is false
}
Example
int time = 20;
if (time < 18) {
cout << "Good day.";
} else {
cout << "Good evening.";
}
// Outputs "Good evening."
Example explained
In the example above, time (20) is greater than 18, so the condition is false.
Because of this, we move on to the else condition and print to the screen "Good
evening". If the time was less than 18, the program would print "Good day".
C++ Else If
The else if Statement
Use the else if statement to specify a new condition if the first condition
is false.
Syntax
if (condition1) {
// block of code to be executed if condition1 is true
} else if (condition2) {
// block of code to be executed if the condition1 is false and
condition2 is true
} else {
// block of code to be executed if the condition1 is false and
condition2 is false
}
Example
int time = 22;
if (time < 10) {
cout << "Good morning.";
} else if (time < 20) {
cout << "Good day.";
} else {
cout << "Good evening.";
}
// Outputs "Good evening."
Example explained
In the example above, time (22) is greater than 10, so the first
condition is false. The next condition, in the else if statement, is also false, so
we move on to the else condition since condition1 and condition2 is
both false - and print to the screen "Good evening".
However, if the time was 14, our program would print "Good day."
Syntax
variable = (condition) ? expressionTrue : expressionFalse;
Instead of writing:
Example
Example
int time = 20;
string result = (time < 18) ? "Good day." : "Good evening.";
cout << result;
C++ Switch
C++ Switch Statements
Use the switch statement to select one of many code blocks to be executed.
Syntax
switch(expression) {
case x:
// code block
break;
case y:
// code block
break;
default:
// code block
}
• The break and default keywords are optional, and will be described later
in this chapter
The example below uses the weekday number to calculate the weekday name:
Example
int day = 4;
switch (day) {
case 1:
cout << "Monday";
break;
case 2:
cout << "Tuesday";
break;
case 3:
cout << "Wednesday";
break;
case 4:
cout << "Thursday";
break;
case 5:
cout << "Friday";
break;
case 6:
cout << "Saturday";
break;
case 7:
cout << "Sunday";
break;
}
// Outputs "Thursday" (day 4)
This will stop the execution of more code and case testing inside the block.
When a match is found, and the job is done, it's time for a break. There is no
need for more testing.
A break can save a lot of execution time because it "ignores" the execution of
all the rest of the code in the switch block.
Example
int day = 4;
switch (day) {
case 6:
cout << "Today is Saturday";
break;
case 7:
cout << "Today is Sunday";
break;
default:
cout << "Looking forward to the Weekend";
}
// Outputs "Looking forward to the Weekend"
C++ Loops
Loops can execute a block of code as long as a specified condition is reached.
Loops are handy because they save time, reduce errors, and they make code
more readable.
Syntax
while (condition) {
// code block to be executed
}
In the example below, the code in the loop will run, over and over again, as
long as a variable (i) is less than 5:
Example
int i = 0;
while (i < 5) {
cout << i << "\n";
i++;
}
Note: Do not forget to increase the variable used in the condition, otherwise
the loop will never end!
Syntax
do {
// code block to be executed
}
while (condition);
The example below uses a do/while loop. The loop will always be executed at
least once, even if the condition is false, because the code block is executed
before the condition is tested:
Example
int i = 0;
do {
cout << i << "\n";
i++;
}
Syntax
for (statement 1; statement 2; statement 3) {
// code block to be executed
}
Statement 1 is executed (one time) before the execution of the code block.
Statement 3 is executed (every time) after the code block has been executed.
Example
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
cout << i << "\n";
}
Try it Yourself »
Example explained
Statement 2 defines the condition for the loop to run (i must be less than 5). If
the condition is true, the loop will start over again, if it is false, the loop will
end.
Statement 3 increases a value (i++) each time the code block in the loop has
been executed.
Another Example
This example will only print even values between 0 and 10:
Example
for (int i = 0; i <= 10; i = i + 2) {
cout << i << "\n";
}
Nested Loops
It is also possible to place a loop inside another loop. This is called a nested
loop.
The "inner loop" will be executed one time for each iteration of the "outer loop":
Example
// Outer loop
for (int i = 1; i <= 2; ++i) {
cout << "Outer: " << i << "\n"; // Executes 2 times
// Inner loop
for (int j = 1; j <= 3; ++j) {
cout << " Inner: " << j << "\n"; // Executes 6 times (2 * 3)
}
Syntax
for (type variableName : arrayName) {
// code block to be executed
}
Example
int myNumbers[5] = {10, 20, 30, 40, 50};
for (int i : myNumbers) {
cout << i << "\n";
}
Example
C++ Continue
The continue statement breaks one iteration (in the loop), if a specified condition
occurs, and continues with the next iteration in the loop.
Example
for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
if (i == 4) {
continue;
}
cout << i << "\n";
}
Reference: https://www.w3schools.com/cpp/cpp_pointers.asp