Introduction
C++ is an unsafe programming language. “unsafe” means that you can directly access memory, which when used wrong, can lead to memory leaks and other issues.
”Improved” version of C
C++ is the successor of C To increment a number in C, you can write [number]++.
So in that logic, C++ is the next version of C. It has been created in the 80’s by Bjarne Strousrup.
Object oriented
C++ is an object oriented programming language and contains principles like objects, classes, inheritance, polymorphism and encapsulation. Some advanced features are templates(functionality working for different types of data) and exception handling
Active maintenance
C++ is still being actively maintained, with the 2026 version being in development.
Use cases
C++ is made to be lightweight and fast, It is used for applications where speed and low file sizes are crucial.
C++ is really popular for embedded systems like microcontrollers because of their tiny storage.
Datatypes
At default, C++ only has a certain number of datatypes:
- Void: Nothing, Used for things like methods with no return values or pointers(sometimes).
- Char: 8 bits, represents one character.
- Int: 16-32 bits, a whole number. Can be explicitly only positive or also negative
- Float: 32 bits, a decimal number.
- Double: 64 bits, a decimal number with higher precision and a bigger range.
- Boolean: true or false.
Macros
A macro is a predefined expression that converts back into its written value before the program compiles.
#define SQUARE(x) (x * x)
std::cout << SQUARE(16) << std::endl // Will collapse into (4 * 4) a pre-compiling Modifiers
If you want to use a specific number of bits, or define if a datatype can be negative, you can use certain keywords:
- Short: At least 16 bits
- Long: At least 32 bits
- Long Long: At least 64 bits
- Signed: A number can be positive and negative
- Unsigned: A number can only be positive. (Has one more bit free so its number can be x^2 higher)