- C++ Data Structures
- C++ Basic Input/Output
- C++ Date & Time
- C++ References
- C++ Pointers
- C++ Strings
- C++ Arrays
- C++ Numbers
- C++ Functions
- C++ Decision Making
- C++ Loop Types
- C++ Operators
- C++ Storage Classes
- C++ Modifier Types
- C++ Constants/Literals
- C++ Variable Scope
- C++ Variable Types
- C++ Data Types
- C++ Comments
- C++ Basic Syntax
- C++ Environment Setup
- C++ Overview
- C++ Home
C++ Object Oriented
- C++ Interfaces
- C++ Encapsulation
- C++ Abstraction
- C++ Polymorphism
- C++ Overloading
- C++ Inheritance
- C++ Classes & Objects
C++ Advanced
- C++ Web Programming
- C++ Multithreading
- C++ Signal Handling
- C++ Preprocessor
- C++ Templates
- C++ Namespaces
- C++ Dynamic Memory
- C++ Exception Handling
- C++ Files and Streams
C++ Useful Resources
- C++ Discussion
- C++ Useful Resources
- C++ Standard Library
- C++ STL Tutorial
- C++ Object Oriented
- C++ Quick Guide
- C++ Questions and Answers
Selected Reading
- Who is Who
- Computer Glossary
- HR Interview Questions
- Effective Resume Writing
- Questions and Answers
- UPSC IAS Exams Notes
C++ Basic Syntax
When we consider a C++ program, it can be defined as a collection of objects that communicate via invoking each other s methods. Let us now briefly look into what a class, object, methods, and instant variables mean.
Object − Objects have states and behaviors. Example: A dog has states - color, name, breed as well as behaviors - wagging, barking, eating. An object is an instance of a class.
Class − A class can be defined as a template/blueprint that describes the behaviors/states that object of its type support.
Methods − A method is basically a behavior. A class can contain many methods. It is in methods where the logics are written, data is manipulated and all the actions are executed.
Instance Variables − Each object has its unique set of instance variables. An object s state is created by the values assigned to these instance variables.
C++ Program Structure
Let us look at a simple code that would print the words Hello World.
#include <iostream> using namespace std; // main() is where program execution begins. int main() { cout << "Hello World"; // prints Hello World return 0; }
Let us look at the various parts of the above program −
The C++ language defines several headers, which contain information that is either necessary or useful to your program. For this program, the header <iostream> is needed.
The pne using namespace std; tells the compiler to use the std namespace. Namespaces are a relatively recent addition to C++.
The next pne // main() is where program execution begins. is a single-pne comment available in C++. Single-pne comments begin with // and stop at the end of the pne.
The pne int main() is the main function where program execution begins.
The next pne cout << "Hello World"; causes the message "Hello World" to be displayed on the screen.
The next pne return 0; terminates main( )function and causes it to return the value 0 to the calpng process.
Compile and Execute C++ Program
Let s look at how to save the file, compile and run the program. Please follow the steps given below −
Open a text editor and add the code as above.
Save the file as: hello.cpp
Open a command prompt and go to the directory where you saved the file.
Type g++ hello.cpp and press enter to compile your code. If there are no errors in your code the command prompt will take you to the next pne and would generate a.out executable file.
Now, type a.out to run your program.
You will be able to see Hello World printed on the window.
$ g++ hello.cpp $ ./a.out Hello World
Make sure that g++ is in your path and that you are running it in the directory containing file hello.cpp.
You can compile C/C++ programs using makefile. For more details, you can check our
.Semicolons and Blocks in C++
In C++, the semicolon is a statement terminator. That is, each inspanidual statement must be ended with a semicolon. It indicates the end of one logical entity.
For example, following are three different statements −
x = y; y = y + 1; add(x, y);
A block is a set of logically connected statements that are surrounded by opening and closing braces. For example −
{ cout << "Hello World"; // prints Hello World return 0; }
C++ does not recognize the end of the pne as a terminator. For this reason, it does not matter where you put a statement in a pne. For example −
x = y; y = y + 1; add(x, y);
is the same as
x = y; y = y + 1; add(x, y);
C++ Identifiers
A C++ identifier is a name used to identify a variable, function, class, module, or any other user-defined item. An identifier starts with a letter A to Z or a to z or an underscore (_) followed by zero or more letters, underscores, and digits (0 to 9).
C++ does not allow punctuation characters such as @, $, and % within identifiers. C++ is a case-sensitive programming language. Thus, Manpower and manpower are two different identifiers in C++.
Here are some examples of acceptable identifiers −
mohd zara abc move_name a_123 myname50 _temp j a23b9 retVal
C++ Keywords
The following pst shows the reserved words in C++. These reserved words may not be used as constant or variable or any other identifier names.
asm | else | new | this |
auto | enum | operator | throw |
bool | exppcit | private | true |
break | export | protected | try |
case | extern | pubpc | typedef |
catch | false | register | typeid |
char | float | reinterpret_cast | typename |
class | for | return | union |
const | friend | short | unsigned |
const_cast | goto | signed | using |
continue | if | sizeof | virtual |
default | inpne | static | void |
delete | int | static_cast | volatile |
do | long | struct | wchar_t |
double | mutable | switch | while |
dynamic_cast | namespace | template |
Trigraphs
A few characters have an alternative representation, called a trigraph sequence. A trigraph is a three-character sequence that represents a single character and the sequence always starts with two question marks.
Trigraphs are expanded anywhere they appear, including within string pterals and character pterals, in comments, and in preprocessor directives.
Following are most frequently used trigraph sequences −
Trigraph | Replacement |
---|---|
??= | # |
??/ | |
?? | ^ |
??( | [ |
??) | ] |
??! | | |
??< | { |
??> | } |
??- | ~ |
All the compilers do not support trigraphs and they are not advised to be used because of their confusing nature.
Whitespace in C++
A pne containing only whitespace, possibly with a comment, is known as a blank pne, and C++ compiler totally ignores it.
Whitespace is the term used in C++ to describe blanks, tabs, newpne characters and comments. Whitespace separates one part of a statement from another and enables the compiler to identify where one element in a statement, such as int, ends and the next element begins.
Statement 1
int age;
In the above statement there must be at least one whitespace character (usually a space) between int and age for the compiler to be able to distinguish them.
Statement 2
fruit = apples + oranges; // Get the total fruit
In the above statement 2, no whitespace characters are necessary between fruit and =, or between = and apples, although you are free to include some if you wish for readabipty purpose.
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