Introduction to programming

You are in the C++ learning sub-site. Here you will find a C++ language course and other materials that revolve around programming in it.

Before you move on to the C++ course, you'll have to learn what programming is about.

What is programming

Programming is used to automate tasks that will be later executed on a machine. In the C++ course, you will learn how to create programs that can run on a computer. Thanks to this, you will be able to develop applications that, for example:

• can do calculations for you ➕ ➖ ✖ ➗
• are video games 🎮 😄
• will do your routine, monotonous computer chores 🖨 ☕

Video games 🎮

A few words from the author of this website: I love creating computer games. I really enjoy teaching programming using examples from games and you will definitely find those in this course. I consider it a great form of learning, that combines knowledge with pleasure!

What programmers do

Programmers write code. We will show you how to do it in a way that complies with the rules of the C++ language and follows good programming practices.

Here's a simple C++ code that computes the area of a trapezoid for you:

main.cpp

#include <iostream>

int main()
{
	float a = 15;
	float b = 10;
	float h = 5;

	std::cout << "TRAPEZOID AREA CALCULATOR\n";

	std::cout << "Provide length of base a: ";
	std::cin >> a;

	std::cout << "Provide length of base b: ";
	std::cin >> b;

	std::cout << "Provide height h: ";
	std::cin >> h;

	if (a > 0 && b > 0 && h > 0)
	{
		std::cout << "Area of the trapezoid with:\n";
		std::cout << "a = " << a << "\n";
		std::cout << "b = " << b << "\n";
		std::cout << "h = " << h << "\n";
		std::cout << "equals: ";
		std::cout << (a + b) * h / 2;
	}
	else
	{
		std::cout << "Each length has to be greater than 0!\n";
	}
}

If you want to know how it works, the answer is in the course!

The C++ code is not directly understood by the computer. Before we can run it, we need to pass the code through the compiler (more on that later), which will first check that the code is valid C++ code, and if so, then translate it into a code that is understood by computers.

What is C++ for

C++ is a general purpose programming language. You can use it to create anything you can really think of. However, it's worth knowing where C++ works best:

• in the computer games industry (e.g. using Unreal Engine 5)
• in creating desktop applications (those where performance is important)
• in creating servers
• in programming microcontrollers

Currently C++ is not the best solution if you want to:

• create web pages (use TypeScript instead)
• develop mobile and office applications that do not require very high performance

Things worth remembering

Learning a programming language is a long process, and C++ is very extensive. This does not mean that learning it has to be difficult - quite the contrary! This site is mainly designed to break down the idea of C++ being a language that students fear.

Extensive doesn't have to mean difficult!

It's time to start learning

I wish you patience and perseverance in learning, you will see that it can be very interesting and rewarding.