C++ Tutorial 1, Introduction to C++

Introduction to C++

Why Learn C++?

C++ may at first seem like a boring, confusing programming language that you can only program command prompt applications with. Well, that is what it is like in the [b]beginning[/b]. And you are going to need to learn the basics like this with any programming language. As you get better and progress in your C++ skills, you will begin to learn that you can start making some cool applications easier than you thought you could. The main reason to learn C++ though, is that it teaches all the basics of programming and you will learn concepts that will be used in other types of programming. Many other programming languages are like C++ or use C++. For example, PHP, a powerful web development language uses almost the same syntaxes as C++. DirectX, a common game development graphics library primarily uses C++.

Setting up C++

Ill assume that most people are not going to want to spend the money for a compiler, thats fine, there are many great free compilers. I use Dev-C++ because it has some nice features and is fast, and best of all, its FREE!

http://www.bloodshed.net/dev/devcpp.html

You can download it here.Download it and install it, this step is pretty easy. During instillation, select all the deafult values during instillation.

Create a New Project:

Go to the top menu: File -> New -> Source File, or just press Ctrl+N

You should now have a text document. Then, write the following text in the document:

#include

using namespace std;

int main()

{

cout

Tells the compiler that we are going to be using the iostream library, which includes information on things we will be using in the code.

using namespace std;

Saves time by telling the compiler that we are going to be using the 'std::' functions, which stands for 'standard'.

int main()

Starts the main function, this is were the heart of the program is. I will get into what functions are later on.