C++
The performance powerhouse
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read 5 chapters Programming language
Created
1983 by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs
Type
Compiled, multi-paradigm
Current version
C++23 (2023)
Powers
Operating systems, browsers, games, databases
Performance
Near-hardware, no garbage collector
Used by
Windows, Chrome, MySQL, Unreal Engine
File extension
.cpp / .cc / .h
Best for
Systems programming, games, performance-critical
What is C++?
C++ is a high-performance, compiled language created in 1979 as "C with Classes." It gives you fine-grained control over memory and hardware while supporting object-oriented and generic programming.
Why C++?
C++ is the language of choice when performance matters — operating systems, browsers, game engines, databases, and embedded systems all rely on it.
| Feature | C++ | C | Rust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory safety | Manual (smart ptrs) | Manual | Compile-time |
| OOP | Full | None | Traits |
| Performance | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Learning curve | Hard | Medium | Medium |
| Use case | Legacy + performance | Legacy + embedded | Modern systems |
What you'll learn
| Chapter | What you'll know |
|---|---|
| Introduction | What C++ is, how to compile |
| Functions | Overloading, templates, references |
| Classes | OOP, constructors, destructors |
| STL | Vectors, maps, algorithms |
| Memory | Pointers, smart pointers, RAII |
Start with introduction.