Why is it worth learning the C++ programming language?

Contents:

• How C++ Evolved
• Features of the Language
• What Solutions Used It
• How C++ differs from other programming languages
• C++ Prospects. Useful Resources for Learning the Language

C++ is a programming language that underlies many programs, operating systems, and games. The language's popularity is confirmed by the TIOBE Index, which annually ranks C++ among the leaders. But why is this language so popular? It's all about scale—the language is used in a variety of software development areas. Examples include Windows and Linux operating systems, games like Doom 3 and Unreal Engine, and financial applications like Bloomberg Terminal.
That's why C++ has remained an essential tool for developers seeking to create fast, functional, and reliable software for decades.

How C++ developed

C++ appeared in the early 80s. Danish programmer Bjarne Stroustrup, while working on his doctoral project at Bell Labs, began experimenting with extending the C language. He wanted to create a more flexible and efficient language that would be capable of managing complex systems.

One ​​of the most important events in the history of C++ was its standardization in 1998. This standard, known as C++98, established the principles of the language and made it more structured and portable. Subsequent updates to the standard have made significant changes and additions to the language, adding new features and improving the syntax. They have made it more powerful and flexible, more portable, and easier to use in different areas of development.

For example:

• The C++11 standard.Introduced improvements and innovations that made the language more modern and expressive. Lambda expressions, the automatic type auto, decltype, for-loop ranges, move semantics (std::move), smart pointers (std::unique_ptr, std::shared_ptr), multithreading (std::thread, std::mutex), and constexpr were introduced. This standard even earned praise from Mark Elendt, winner of the 2017 Academy Award for Best Visual Effects for creating and developing the Houdini visual effects and animation system.
• The C++14 Standard.It was an evolutionary rather than a revolutionary update that added minor improvements and fixes to the previous standard. It added additional capabilities for constexpr, more flexible lambda expressions, an extended decltype, and improvements to the STL library.
• The C++17 Standard.Brought several significant innovations that simplified code and added new functionality. For example, if constexpr, std::variant and std::optional data structures, parallel algorithms, various improvements to the standard library, and std::filesystem.
• C++20 Standard. One of the biggest language updates in recent years, it added many new features and improvements. Key changes include modules, coroutines, concepts, advanced templates, ranges, and constexpr fixes.

Features of the C++ Language

C++ has many features that make it a flexible, albeit complex for beginners, tool. However, these features help create efficient, flexible, and modular code that can solve various problems such as:

• Object-oriented programming (OOP) support.C++ fully supports OOP, including classes, inheritance, encapsulation, and polymorphism. These concepts help you write modular and scalable code by separating it into discrete objects with specific characteristics and behaviors. Inheritance allows you to create class hierarchies, which promotes code reuse and improves its structure.
• Generic programming (templates).Templates in C++ help you create generic algorithms and data structures that work with different data types without recoding. With templates, programmers write generic and flexible functions and containers, simplifying development.
• Metaprogramming. C++ features such as precompilation, macros, and templates. These capabilities allow programmers to create programs that can generate and modify code at compile time. Metaprogramming is often used to optimize code and create more expressive abstractions and implement complex algorithms at compile time.

In what solutions was C++ used

Thanks to its efficiency, performance, and flexibility, C++ has found application in various areas of development. Examples of C++ use include:

• Software development.Many large software projects are developed in C++, including operating systems, compilers, databases. Examples: Windows and Linux OS.
• System programming.C++ is used in the development of system software - device drivers, embedded software. Examples: graphic card drivers, system software for embedded systems, Google and Yandex search engines.
• Gaming industry.C++ is actively used to create high-performance and graphically ultra-realistic games. Examples: games of famous series like Call of Duty, Crysis, Grand Theft Auto, game engines Unreal Engine and Unity.
• Embedded systems.C++ is used for embedded systems, such as microcontrollers, automotive systems, medical equipment, and industrial devices. Examples: automotive navigation and engine management, medical devices for health monitoring, industrial controllers.
• Financial applications. The language is used to develop financial applications - trading platforms, algorithmic trading, and analytical applications. Examples: Bloomberg Terminal and MetaTrader trading platforms, algorithmic trading bots.

How C++ differs from other programming languages

Depending on the specific requirements and preferences of developers, each language environment is suitable for certain tasks. C++ is usually chosen in cases where maximum performance, control over resources, and access to low-level system capabilities are required. Let's consider the advantages and disadvantages of popular programming languages. You can read more about this here.

Python

Advantages:

• Easy to learn and use, clean and readable syntax.
• High development speed thanks to dynamic typing and automatic memory management.
• A large number of third-party libraries for solving various problems.

Disadvantages:

• Slow execution speed compared to compiled languages ​​like C++.
• Limited capabilities in the area of ​​systems programming and high-performance programs.

C#

Advantages:

• Integration with the .NET platform, which provides high performance and security.
• A language with syntax similar to Java. Therefore, it is considered a more attractive option for developers who know how to work with Java.
• Support for asynchronous programming and LINQ (Language Integrated Query).

Disadvantages:

• Limited portability due to dependence on the .NET framework.
• Smaller library ecosystem compared to Python and Java.

C++ Prospects. Useful Resources for Learning the Language

Despite the emergence of new development environments, C++ remains one of the most popular and influential languages ​​in the world. In 2024, it entered the top three of the TIOBE index, and in 2003 and 2022 it was recognized as the language of the year. Developer surveys at survey.stackoverflow.co showed that 22.42% of respondents prefer C++.

Of course, it is not simple, but it was created to solve more serious problems. At first, it will be more difficult for beginners to understand C++ than, for example, Python. But they have many resources at their disposal that help them study it in more detail and get professional support.

To make it easier to navigate the flow of information, the editors of Skillbox.by have prepared a list of useful resources for learning C++.

Literature:

• Bjarne Stroustrup "Programming. C++: Principles and Practice - Written by the creator of the language, this book provides a clear and systematic introduction with exercises and code examples. C++ Primer by Stanley Lippman, Josée Lajoie, and Barbara E. Mu is one of the most popular books for learning, covering both the basics and more advanced topics. aria-level="1">Andrei Alexandrescu "Modern C++ Design: Generic Programming and Applied Design Patterns (Modern C++ Design)" — the book examines modern C++ design methods that help make code flexible and reusable.

Internet resources:

• Stack Overflow is a forum where you can ask questions and get answers on all aspects of software development.
• C++ Forum — A forum with an active community of developers where you can ask questions, participate in discussions, and get advice.
• CppCon — A large conference with presentations from experts and specialists. Offers a deep dive into various aspects of the C++ language.
• Reddit r/cpp — A specialized subreddit on Reddit for discussing C++ and sharing experiences.
• C++ reference is a resource that contains extensive documentation and reference materials on C++.