Getting Started in C++ Programming

Introduction

This article is aimed at those who would like to get started with C++, and who want an efficient and workable approach. Getting started in C++ programming is not necessarily difficult or time-consuming, but is does require a certain amount of planning.

For those who have never programmed before, there is some groundwork, but it really is not as hard as some people make out.

Understanding Procedural Programming

It is important to remember that programming is generally a top-down exercise. In other words, the computer looks at each line, one at a time, and decides what to do with it. Once it has dealt with it, it goes on to the next line. Like following a recipe.

Now and again, the computer has to do the same thing several times. It can either do it a set number of times, or it can do it until some external condition is satisfied. Either way, a form of repetition exists in any programming language.

Finally, there are times when the computer has to decide whether or not to actually do something. This is often called conditional execution and can be quite complex. However, it is vital to be able to exercise this level of control.

These are the essentials of programming. More can be explored at the Computer Programming 101 hub.

Learn Some C

Although opinions are split on whether C++ programming should be studied in isolation, it is advisable to learn some C before attempting C++. Here at Suite, there is a free Beginning C Course which gives the basics of the language.

Specific articles can be found at the C Programming Hub.

Understanding Object Oriented Design and Programming

Moving from C to C++ requires that the concept of Object Orientation is understood. Essentially, the way to look at it is to take the Procedural Programming paradigm, and imagine a series of little procedural programs. Each one is designed to fulfill a specific task, and can be communicated with as long as one knows which member functions to call.

The trick to remember is, just like in the real world, the programmer does not need to know how the object actually does the tasks it is supposed to do. They need only be able to send it information, and receive the result.

Getting a Compiler

Of course, before the programmer can do any programming, they need to have some basic tools. We have a couple of articles covering everything the budding programmer needs:

• Free Programming Tools
• Free C Tools

Summary

• Learn C
• Learn about Object Oriented Programming
• Learn to use Classes
• Use the STL
• Spend the next 20 years using & learning C++!

There is a last point to make. Some people advocate ignoring C completely when trying to learn C++. The issue created by this is simple : for a non-programmer, there are so many concepts that they need to know, that they may as well learn a programming language at the same time. That language may as well be C.

It is difficult enough to get started with C++ without trying to absorb the whole language at once, from nothing. On top of which, C is a great starting point for many other languages besides.

Go to it, and good luck!

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