C++ Programs for Beginners: How to Learn One of the Most Widespread Coding Languages
So you’ve decided to start learning C++, but don’t really know where to begin. In this blog post, I’ll show you some great resources to start learning, and offer you some advice on the best ways to learn.
Why Should I Learn C++?
C++ was probably the most widespread programming language a few years ago. Today, many believe that it is outdated and is becoming extinct, but that simply is not true. Even today, C++ is extremely reliable and powerful because of a few key reasons: it is object oriented, it is fast, and it has high performance. I’ll go more into these later.
Where Should I Start?
The best way to start is by working on a project. Now you might be confused, as I haven’t even told you to start learning the syntax yet. Don’t worry, we’ll get there. In my experience, the best way to get started in coding in by actually writing code. I never said these have to be demanding and complicated projects. Start off by writing “Hello World.” Now, find the syntax you need to type this out.
One great resource I would recommend is W3Schools. They have a great, project-based C++ tutorial where you can follow along and learn the syntax while typing out code for yourself.
Another great place is Geeks for Geeks. They have tons of free courses, and explain a lot of the concepts really well.
Are Projects Really That Important?
In a word, yes! It’s easy to forget, but programming languages are just like any other language: you need to practice to get better. Think of how difficult it would be to learn a new language with nothing but studying. No speaking, no writing, just reading a Spanish textbook and magically hoping to learn the whole language.
While this may be okay for a Spanish test coming up, you really will not be able to converse normally in the language, as your whole vocabulary will just be disjoint words with no idea of how to string them together.
Coding is exactly the same. You need to constantly practice what you’re learning, and since speaking in C++ is kind of weird (and maybe even impossible), the best way to practice is to write it out on an IDE. You could handwrite your code, but as someone who had to do that on the AP CSA exam, do yourself a favor and never ever do that.
What Projects Are The “Best?”
There really is no answer to that. Although some projects may be better than others for some people, everyone is unique and will have their own projects that make sense for them. If you really like math and arithmetic, then a simple calculator project might be right for you. If you really despise numbers, then maybe try a schedule planner. As long as you aren’t being too ambitious in the project types you are choosing (don’t endeavor to write an artificial intelligence model the second you pick up the language), a project that clicks with you and interests you is the best way to go.
College Courses
Every university’s computer science majors can tell you that one of the first computer science courses they take is some variation of Intro to C++. Because of that, a lot of community colleges have started offering these courses. Check out your local community college’s program listings to see if there is a course that fits you. For me, I find that I really enjoy the pace and structure that my local community college has for CS classes, which is why I ended up taking an introductory course there. It isn’t for everyone, but it gives great structure and the classes go at a relatively relaxed pace, especially compared to many university computer science courses.
Benefits of C++
Let’s get back to those benefits I mentioned earlier. C++ is an object oriented language. For those of you who know Java, this will make sense to you. If you don’t, object oriented languages are languages that allow you to reuse code very easily and efficiently, even between files and programs. This allows you to create new files and functions to split up your code, which really improves readability and allows for fast reproduction of codes.
For example, say you wrote a 1,000 line function in another file, and you want to use that function in a new project. Sure, you could go back and copy-paste those 1,000 lines into your new code, but that really clutters it up. Instead, you can import that function and use a simple call in your new code. Just a handful of lines will accomplish your 1,000 line function.
The next two benefits of C++ kind of go together. C++ is extremely efficient, which means it is able to do many computations in a much shorter time than languages like Python. This is partly because of the fact that C++ is a much lower-level language, so it’s syntax is a bit more difficult to pick up. But you are rewarded for that because your code will execute much faster. For building apps where latency is an absolute killer, C++ is the language for you.
Time To Get Started
In this blog, I’ve shared a few reasons to learn C++, and a few great ways to get started. Learning C++ is an extremely rewarding experience that will be sure to pay off tenfold. So let’s get started!
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