C/C++ Tutorial

Introduction to C/C++

C is a powerful general-purpose programming language that was developed in the early 1970s. It provides low-level access to memory and system resources, which makes it ideal for system programming and embedded systems. C++ is an extension of C that adds object-oriented features, making it more suitable for large-scale software development.

Setting Up Your Environment

To start programming in C/C++, you'll need to set up your development environment. One popular choice is Visual Studio Code (VS Code). Here’s how to set it up:

1. Download and install Visual Studio Code.
2. Install a C/C++ compiler. For Windows, you can use MinGW or the Microsoft C++ Build Tools. For Linux, you can install GCC via your package manager.
3. Open VS Code and install the C/C++ extension by Microsoft from the Extensions marketplace.

Your First C/C++ Program

Let’s write a simple "Hello, World!" program. Create a new file in VS Code and save it with a .c or .cpp extension.

#include <iostream>

int main() {
    std::cout << "Hello, World!" << std::endl;
    return 0;
}

To run the program, use the terminal in VS Code:

g++ hello.cpp -o hello
./hello

The expected output will be:

Basic Syntax and Structure

C/C++ programs are composed of functions. The main function is the entry point of every C/C++ program. Here are some basic components:

• Comments: Use // for single-line comments and /* */ for multi-line comments.
• Variables: Declared by specifying the type followed by the variable name.
• Data Types: Common data types include int, float, char, and double.

int a = 5;
float b = 4.5;
char c = 'A';

Control Structures

C/C++ provides various control structures, such as if-statements, loops, and switch-case statements. Here’s how they work:

int number = 10;
if (number > 0) {
    std::cout << "Positive" << std::endl;
} else {
    std::cout << "Negative" << std::endl;
}

for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
    std::cout << i << std::endl;
}

Functions

Functions are blocks of code that perform a specific task. They can take parameters and return values. Here’s an example:

int add(int x, int y) {
    return x + y;
}

int main() {
    std::cout << add(5, 3) << std::endl; // Outputs 8
    return 0;
}

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have taken your first steps in learning C/C++. This tutorial covered the basics, including environment setup, syntax, control structures, and functions. As you continue to practice and explore more advanced topics like pointers, classes, and templates, you will become proficient in C/C++ programming.