C++ Programming Language: Simple, Short, and Straightforward Way of Learning C++ Programming
Copyright 2016 - KDP Edition
Sherwyn Allibang
Edition License
Notes
This book is authorized
for your own personal use. This book may not be re-sold or offered away to
other individuals. Much thanks to you for regarding the diligent work of the
author.
Introduction
This book is for absolute beginners
with or without prior knowledge in programming, as this book uses Simple words, Short sentences, and Straightforward
paragraphs. The triple S way of
learning C++ programming. C++ (pronounced as cee plus plus) is a
general-purpose programming language. The main object of C++ is to add
object-orientation to its predecessor C language. C++ has imperative,
object-oriented and generic programming features, while also providing
facilities for low-level memory manipulation. There are also other useful
features added to C++ such as inheritance and polymorphism. The topics covered
in this book includes brief introduction to C++ programming, variables, data
types, control structures, functions, pointers, and file management of external
files. This book starts its discussion from short history to installation of
the needed software resource and a step by step screen shots of how to write C++
programming code, compile and execute C++ programs. It presents graphical
representation of algorithms for simpler learning. This book is packed with
working and running C++ program samples and after reading this book, the reader
would be able to develop and create C++ language programs based particularly
from problems given in computer science courses, hence, adopting to other
programming language will be a lot easier.
This book is your initial step in your programming career.
This chapter presents a brief
overview of C++ programming. C++ was designed with a basis toward system
programming with high performance, efficiency and flexibility of use as its
design highlights. This chapter presents the things needed in starting C++
programming.
Brief
history of C++
The C++ programming language has a history path in 1979. Bjarne Stroustrup, a Danish computer scientist, is working
with the language called "Simula", which is a language principally
intended for simulations. The Simula 67 language underpins object-oriented
programming paradigm. Stroustup started working with "C" with
classes. C is considered as middle-level language
which has the power of Low-level language but has high-level language features
and C is considered as the predecessor of C++. Bjarne Stroustrup, at Bell Labs
designed C++ in the early 80s, as an object oriented language based on the C
language, which powered pretty much all systems software since its creation in
1972. The first C with Classes compiler was called Cfront, which was derived
from a C compiler called CPre. C++'s goal is to add object-oriented programming
into C language. The ++ operator in the C language is an operator for
incrementing a variable, which gives some insight into how Stroustrup regarded
the language. In 1985, Stroustrup's reference to the language entitled "The
C++ Programming Language" was published.
Reasons
to use C++
To start with, C++ is highly recommended
for beginning programmers in starting their programming career because C++
covers both procedural and object-oriented programming approach. Once someone
learned the concepts behind programming language with C++, adopting or
migrating to other programming language will be a lot easier whether it's
object-oriented or procedural-oriented programming, as most of the things
needed are pretty similar.
C++ has been around a while and it
has solved several industry challenges considering that it is also the primary
language that drives the mobile experience today. In addition to high
performance server and middleware, C++ is a great choice for client side
development on the two most popular mobile platforms Android and iOS and the
two most popular desktop platforms, Windows and Mac OS X. With the recent
introduction of developer tools that enable, among other things, visual design
for clients, middleware, and server side apps; C++ is extremely productive and
really makes it a great choice for modern app development, so learning the
basics of C++ will make someone be competitive in the industry's stiff
competition.
This book will bring the world of C++
programming closer to you.
Beginning
to Program in C++ Language
All the C++ programs are written
into text files with extension ".cpp" for example "hello.cpp",
where ".cpp" is the extension file name. These text files are called
source files. The source files contains the C++ source codes and will later be
transformed into a running executable file. The program development cycle of C++
language are:
1. Write the source codes into a
text editor (ex: notepad) to create the source file.
2. Compile the source file to
create the object file.
3. The object file is link into an
executable (ex: .exe for windows) file.
4. Run the program and see the
result.
Based from the program development
cycle of C++, notice that there are several things needed which includes a text
editor, a compiler, and a linker. The good news is that, for Windows users,
there is a software that comprises the three. It is called Dev-C++ which is
available at http://bloodshed.net and for
the download direct link at http://bloodshed-dev-c.en.softonic.com/download.
Dev-C++ is a C++ source code
editor, a compiler, and a linker. All the things needed in creating a C
program.
Note: You may ought to use other compilers
as the sample codes in this book will work just fine.
Chapter 2 - Our First C++ Program
This chapter presents
the "know how" of writing, compiling, and running C++ language
programs. It presents a detailed discussions on the steps to be undertaken.
Definition
of programming terms
The following terms are defined
conceptually and operationally in order to have a common understanding of the
terms used in this book.
Argument. Arguments are actual value being pass to a function.
Bug. A bug is a general term used to describe any unexpected
problem with the program during execution or when the programming is already
running.
Block. A block is composed of two or more C statements. Also called
compound statements. A block is enclosed with a pair of { } braces.
CamelCase. CamelCase is the naming convention for compound word
which uses capital letters to delimit the word parts. For example, "studName",
"studAge", and "intNum".
Clause. A section in the statement.
Code. It is the term used for statements written that make up a C
program.
Condition. A statement that evaluates to either true (non zero) or
false (zero).
Data Type. It the type of data being stored to a storage location
like variable.
Debug. This refers to the process of examining and removing errors
from a program's source code.
Expression. It is a statement that result to a numeric value.
Function. Function perform a specific task.
Label. Label is used a give details to a certain line of code in C
language, hence this labels are ignored by the compiler, thus it does not
affect the output of the program. Usually used for internal documentation.
Null. In computer programming, null is the term used for an
uninitialized, undefined, empty, or meaningless value.
Parameter. Parameters are argument declaration of a function.
Statement. A statement is a complete direction instructing the
computer to carry out some task. In C, statements are usually written one per
line, although some statements span multiple lines. This term can be
interchangeably use with code.
Syntax. Syntax is the grammar, structure, or order of the elements
in a C language or any other programming language statement. (Semantics is the
meaning of these elements.)
Variable. Variables are storage location for data in C programs.
The
components of a C++ program
Lets discuss the components of a C++ programs through a sample program.
This program prints the word "Hello World!" into the screen. The code
listings is presented below
Code listings of figure 2.1
#include<iostream>
using namespace
std;
int main()
{
//The
line below prints a string
cout<<"Hello
World!";
getchar();
return
0;
}
Line 1. #include<iostream>
This line includes a C++ library
for the use of the program. The inclusion of library in C++ program usually
comes first.
Syntax #include directive:
#include<<lib-name>>
The <lib-name> in the
syntax should be replaced with the library name. The other term for library is
"include file" because literally, a library is a separate disk file
that contains information needed by the program or the compiler.
The #include directive
instructs the C++ compiler to add the contents of library or include file
(sometimes called "Header files") into the program during
compilation. The library files usually comes with the compiler, hence in Dev-C++,
several libraries comes together with its default installation. These library
files should have a ".h" file extension.
In line 1, the library included is
the "iostream"
which stands for input/output stream.
This library is used in dealing with programs that accepts input and provides
output, hence this is the most used library. Other libraries are discussed in
the succeeding chapters of this book.
Note: Other program examples from other
sources includes the ".h" extension for its library, but take note
that the standard now no longer include the .h extension.
Line 2. using namespace std;
C++ uses namespaces to organize different names used in
programs. Every name used in the iostream standard library file is
part of a namespace called std (probably stands for
"standard"). Consequently, the cout object is really called std::cout.
The using
namespace std; statement avoids the need for putting std::
before every reference to cout, so that the cout alone can be used
in the code.
Line 3. int main()
This line defines the main body of
the program. The only component that is required in every C++ program is the main() function.
In its simplest form, the main() function consists
of the name main followed by a pair of empty parentheses ( ) and
a pair of braces { } presented in lines 4 and 9. Within the braces are
statements that make up the main body of the program. Under normal
circumstances, program execution starts at the first statement in the main()
function and terminates at the last statement in main().
Usually functions are invoked or
called by other functions, but main() is special. When the
program starts, main() is called automatically.
main() function,
like all functions, must state what kind of value it will return. The return
value type for main() in the sample program is int which
signifies integer number, but it's not necessary for a program that just prints
the word "Hello World", hence, the value 0 in line 8 is returned just to satisfy the format. Returning
values from functions is discussed in detail in the succeeding chapters of this
book
Lines 4 and 9. { }
The curly braces { } are used to
enclose the program lines that make up every C++ function including the main()
function. A group of one or more statements enclosed within braces is called a
block. Line 4 signifies the start of the content of the main function and line 9
signifies its end.
Line 5. //The line below prints a string
The //
(double slash), are called comments. Anything that follows the // becomes a
comment. Comments are text details usually used by programmers to reference a
line code statement in the source file. The comments are ignored by the
compiler, hence does not affect the output of the program. The program will
execute and run properly with or without comments. In line 5, the comments are
used to give a reference or details that the next line will print a string
on-screen.
Syntax for single-line comment:
//<string-comment>
The <string-comment> in the
syntax should be replaced with a text entries that represents the comment of
the programmer in the code. The comment can be on a single line or multi-line.
Line 5 is an example of single line comment. The multi-line comment uses the /* */ (slash asterisk asterisk slash,
wherein anything enclose inside is considered comment. It can span multiple
lines. The format is presented below.
Syntax for multi-line comment:
/*
<string-comment-string-comment
-string-comment> */
Line 6. cout<<"Hello World!";
The cout is pronounced
“C-out". cout statement is a library object stream under "iostream" library that displays
information on-screen. The cout statement can display a simple
text message or the value of one or more program variables. The cout,
followed by the << (output
redirection operator) in which whatever follows it is written on-screen. If it
is needed to print string of characters, be sure to enclose them in double
quotes ", as shown in line 6.
Syntax of cout in printing
literal text:
cout<<"<string-to-print>";
In the syntax, anything inside the
" " double quotes is considered a literal text and will be printed
on-screen. The <string-to-print> should be replaced with the text
entries to be printed on-screen. The cout statement must end with a ;
semi-colon.
Note: If line 2 using namespace std; is
omitted, the cout statement should be written as
std::cout<<"<string-to-print>";
Line 7. getchar();
The getchar() "get
character", is library function that accepts a character from the
keyboard. If the getchar() is omitted from the code, the program will run,
but upon printing the word "Hello World!", the program will
immediately terminate. This is how the display console of Dev-C++ was designed.
The program output closes immediately and may not be seen by the user. Hence
the getchar()
is used as the trigger that when the output is presented on-screen, the user
will have to press a key in the keyboard (except for space bar) before the
program terminates. The getchar() is simply used as a
terminator and is used for the rest of the sample programs in this book. The getchar()
function must end with a ; semi-colon.
Note: If you are using other compilers that
has a different display console behavior, you may ought to remove the
getchar().
Line 8. Return 0
Technically in C++, the main()
function has to return a value because most of the compiler requires it to be
declared with a return value, and it is a common tradition to declare it as int main()
indicating that it should return a integer value. The return value is usually
passed back to the operating system. Traditionally, 0 indicates that the
program is indeed successful.
Note: You don't have to return 0 explicitly, because that will happen
automatically when the main() function terminates. But keep in mind that the
main() function is the only function where omitting return is allowed. It is
also a common practice for C++ programmers to include the return 0 in the main()
function, hence for the rest of the sample programs in this book includes the
return 0 in its main() function.
Writing,
compiling, and running our first program using Dev-C++ for Windows
In writing the source file, open
the Dev-C++ and create a new source file as presented in figure 2.2.
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Table of Contents:
Brief history of C++
Reasons to use C++
Beginning to Program in C++
Language
Installing the Dev-C++ for Windows
Installing compiler for Linux
Self-assessment questions
Definition of programming terms
The components of a C++ program
Writing, compiling, and running
our first program using Dev-C++ for Windows
Correcting errors
Writing, compiling, and running
our first program with Linux
Compiling and running the program
on Linux
Statements
Null Statements
White spaces
Self-assessment questions
Variable
Variable Declaration and
definition
Scope of variables
Constants
Keywords
typedef declarations
Self-assessment questions
Displaying text on-screen
Accepting user input
Self-assessment questions
Array
Single-Dimensional
Multi-Dimensional Array
The C-Style Character String
Declaring and defining a string
Defining a string using input
functions
C Strings' pre-defined functions
in C++
Self-assessment questions
Expressions
Operators
Assignment Operator
Mathematical Operators
Binary
Unary
Mathematical operators precedence
level and parentheses
Relational Operators
Logical Operators
Type Casting
Pre-defined Mathematical Functions
Self-assessment questions
The if() statement
Single-alternative
Dual-alternative
Multiple-alternative
Nested if() statement
The switch() statement
Things to consider in conditional
statement:
Self-assessment questions
What is a Loop?
Counter-controlled loop
Nested for() loop statement
Condition-controlled loop
Pre-test loop
Post-test loop
The Infinite Loop
Self-assessment questions
User-defined function
User-defined function prototype
User-defined function definition
Calling a user-defined function
Things to consider in functions
Self-assessment questions
Structures
Declaring a structure
Defining a structure
Accessing Structure Members
Compound declaration and
definition of structure
Self-assessment questions
What is a class?
Creating New Types
Classes and Members
Declaring of a Class in C++
Definition of a Class member
method(s) in C++
Defining an Object of a class
Accessing Class Members
Private versus public access
controls
Constructor and destructor
Self-assessment questions
What is exceptions?
How Exceptions Are Used
The basic steps in using
exceptions
Self-assessment questions
Pointers in C++
Pointer Declaration
How pointers works?
Pointer Arithmetic
Self-assessment questions
C++ Files and Streams
Opening a File
Closing a File
Writing to a File
Reading from a File
Self-assessment questions
