C++ Introduction

C++ (pronounced "See-Plus-Plus") is a powerful, high-performance, general-purpose programming language. It is an extension of the C language and provides advanced features for building complex systems.

Developed by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs in 1979 (originally named "C with Classes"), C++ gives programmers extensive control over system resources and memory management.

The language is updated regularly, with major versions released in 2011 (C++11), 2014 (C++14), 2017 (C++17), and 2020 (C++20).

Why Use C++?

C++ is one of the most widely used languages in the world. Here’s why:

Performance: C++ is known for its speed and efficiency, making it ideal for game development, real-time systems, and high-performance applications.
Portability: C++ programs can run on multiple platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, Mobile) without modification.
Object-Oriented: C++ supports OOP (Object-Oriented Programming), which helps structure code clearly for reuse and scalability.
Versatility: It is used in operating systems, browsers, games, databases, and more.
Huge Community: A vast community of developers means plenty of resources, libraries, and frameworks are available.

Difference between C and C++

While C++ was developed as an extension of C, they have distinct differences:

C++ supports Classes and Objects, while C is purely procedural.
C++ has more robust memory management features.
C++ supports Function Overloading and Exception Handling, which C does not.