Updated June 7, 2023
Introduction to C++
C++ is a programming language developed at bell labs by Bjarne Stroustrup in 1979. C++ is a combination of low-level and high-level language features. That’s why it’s an intermediate-level language. C++ originated from the C programming language. The most important C++ is Object Oriented Programming Language, which comes with helpful features that help develop high-performance applications. C++ is used to reduce the overall development cost of projects because of its amazing features. C++ is very easy to learn and is similar to C and Java. Due to its portability, applications developed can be run on multiple platforms.
Top 11 Features of C++
Here is the list of the most important features in C++ that can be used to develop high-performing applications:
1. Simple
C++ is one of the most simple languages when it comes to programming. It is also easy to understand and learn as it originated from the C programming language. C++ follows the bottom-up approach for any project development that helps break down big tasks into several tasks.
2. Object-Oriented Programming
One of the most important features of which C++ got famous. Everything is treated as objects in C++. That’s why it is called object-oriented programming. Objects are used for performing all kinds of functionalities. It has features like Polymorphism and Inheritance, which aims to bind function and data together in a single unit to make applications secure and efficient.
3. Portability
C++ is not platform-independent but portable enough to run on different machines by adding some or no changes. On different operating systems, you can run the same code. Write code for one time and use it every time you need that particular functionality. We can’t say that it’s completely platform-independent. So don’t confuse C++ with Java because Java is completely platform-independent. For example, you have written code in Linux but want to run in Windows, so C++ code will run on both without any hindrance! Simple and straight.
4. Mid-Level Programming Language
C++ programming language is a collection of special features of low-level languages and high-level languages. It can be used to develop applications based on whether the required level of programing language is low or high.
5. Rich Library
C++ library is full of in-built functions that save a huge amount of time in the software development process. It contains almost all kinds of functionality a programmer can need in the development process. Hence saving time and increasing development speed.
6. Case Sensitive
As C++ originated from C, it also maintains pure CASE sensitivity, implying that lowercase and uppercase characters written in code will have distinct meanings and receive different treatment.
7. Compiler-Based
As no interpretation is made in C++ code, it is considered a compiler-based language that makes it faster than other programming languages like Java. Without compilation, you can’t execute any C++ code.
8. Dynamic Memory Allocation
Due to pointer support in the C++ language. You can easily perform dynamic memory allocation instead of static allocation. Can free memory anytime by using the free() function.
9. Recursion
Due to code reusability features, we can call any function within a function, saving memory space by not writing the same code repeatedly. Code reusability is there for every function.
10. Fast
As compared to other programming languages. Execution time and Compilation time of a code written in C++ language are faster than in any other programming language.
11. Pointers
As we all know, pointers hold the address of another variable, and we can access the address of any variable using concepts or pointers, which increases performance. C++ also provides the use of pointers in the software development process.
Advantages of C++
Below, each advantage proves the stability and efficiency of the C++ programming language:
C++ is an object-oriented language rather than a procedural language. There are features of C++ that make it faster and more powerful than any other programming language. Machine learning with the C++ library is also one of the best advantages of using C++ as a programming language for development.
1. Speed
C++ is renowned for its faster speed compared to any other programming language. Running multiple codes parallel is one of the best support it provides that directly helps in faster execution. Provide the best performance even when the server is going through a high load.
2. Hardware-Based
When hardware closely couples with software, the software level necessitates low-level support. C++ provides that support because it is closer to hardware than any other programming language.
3. Functionality
C++ features like Inheritance, Encapsulation, and Abstraction make it helpful for programmers in the software development process. These advantages combined give an outstanding and efficient product. Efficiency is always more in C++.C++ supports Operator Overloading and allows user-defined operators and function overloading.
4. Paradigm
C++ program uses multi-paradigm programming; Paradigm means the programming style, paradigm concerned about the program’s logic, structure, and procedure; C++ program is multi-paradigm means it follows three paradigms Generic, Imperative, and Object-Oriented.
Extra Advantages:
Exception Handling is there in C++. You don’t need to define exceptions for some cases, as they have built-in exceptions to catch and throw at your user output screen. An exception is the class name for implementing exception handling with C++ programming. Not only this, but you can also define your exception depending on your project requirement. Try, catch, and throw keywords are used for exception handling in C++. Exception handlers in C++ programming handle all kinds of exceptions. In C++, you can declare variables anywhere in the program but must declare them before they are used.
Conclusion
C++ is the most-efficient and powerful language because of its high-level functionalities. The main 4 pillars of C++ are Abstraction, Encapsulation, Inheritance, and Polymorphism. These pillars individually can perform dynamic tasks and functionality in any software development process, and together they are the most powerful in the programming world.
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