C++
- A compiled, general-purpose programming language that extends C and adds object-oriented features.
- Uses classes and inheritance to organize code into reusable, modular objects.
- Suited for both low-level system programming and high-level abstractions (templates, exception handling); commonly used in operating systems, games, mobile apps, scientific/engineering software, and finance.
Definition
Section titled “Definition”C++ is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language that was developed in the early 1980s by Bjarne Stroustrup. It is an extension of the C programming language.
Explanation
Section titled “Explanation”C++ is a compiled language: human-readable source code is converted by a compiler into machine-readable instructions before execution, enabling efficient and fast program execution.
Object-oriented programming in C++ centers on objects, which combine data and functions (methods) that operate on that data. Objects are instantiated from classes—templates that define the associated data and methods. Classes support inheritance, allowing new classes to extend existing ones and form hierarchies for added functionality.
In addition to object-oriented features, C++ provides capabilities for low-level programming (such as direct memory manipulation and hardware interaction) as well as higher-level language features like templates and exception handling. These combined capabilities make C++ versatile and applicable across a wide range of programming tasks.
Examples
Section titled “Examples”Application domains
Section titled “Application domains”- Development of operating systems, games, and applications for mobile devices.
- Development of scientific and engineering software.
- Use in the financial industry.
Use cases
Section titled “Use cases”- Systems programming where low-level memory and hardware access are required.
- Large-scale applications that benefit from object-oriented design, templates, and exception handling.
- Domains requiring high performance, such as game development, scientific computing, and finance.
Related terms
Section titled “Related terms”- C (programming language)
- Object-oriented programming
- Class
- Inheritance
- Templates
- Exception handling
- Compiled language
- Low-level programming
- Memory manipulation