Intro To C++
Tags: cpp, beginners
Published: 2020-07-27 06:22:05

So as I wrapped up completing my resume and other job hunt related tasks I wonder to myself what would be next on my plate to learn. I always thought it would be cool to work with code and build stuff that would be fun for myself and others. As a kid when I think back I really just meant building games, now that I have an understanding of programming and how to build robust applications. I find myself leaning back into that "building games would be cool" state of thinking. So after a little research on what most big gaming companies use their choice of language when building these massive games, C++ looked like the go-to. Learning something new can be hard, weirdly though I didn't immediately think about how difficult it would be to learn a new language. Instead, I just jumped right into planning out time to pick off the language as a new skill while I search for a job. 

Today in this blog I'll go over how C++ works(or how I see it currently). Then some of the fundamentals I picked up about C++.
Yeah so C++ is an object-oriented programming language. The language is known for being used for a lot of different things like a sort of general-purpose language. Let's cover some general standards for C++.

Variables - These are some of the variables in C++ these names represent the type and must be assigned specific values
```C++
Types
int - stores integers (whole numbers), without decimals, such as 123 or -123
double - stores floating-point numbers, with decimals, such as 19.99 or -19.99
char - stores single characters, such as 'a' or 'B'. Char values are surrounded by single quotes
string - stores text, such as "Hello World". String values are surrounded by double quotes
bool - stores values with two states: true or false
In Use
int myNum = 5;               // Integer (whole number without decimals)
double myFloatNum = 5.99;    // Floating-point number (with decimals)
char myLetter = 'D';         // Character
string myText = "Hello";     // String (text)
bool myBoolean = true;       // Boolean (true or false)
```

Syntax - exactly what it sounds like the way the code is written
```C++
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
  cout << "Hello World!";
  return 0;
}
```
```#include <iostream>``` Its a Header file library that allows us to use input and output objects like cout(see out)
```using namespace std``` means that we can use names for objects and variables from the standard library.
- their both kinda like how we import libraries in javascript 
* cout is a c++ object that is used with << to display variables
We can allow user input by using cin(see out)
```
int x; 
cout << "Type a number: "; // Type a number and press enter
cin >> x; // Get user input from the keyboard
cout << "Your number is: " << x; // Display the input value
```
You can extend a display with more << like so
```C++
int myAge = 19;
cout << "I am " << myAge << " years old.";
```

These are pretty basic things to know since most languages include the majority of these standard operations. I still thought it would be cool to start here vs setting up C++ or using some specific comparison to another language. Honestly doing it this way simplifies learning it especially after another language in my opinion. As I continue to learn more about the language I hope to gain and share more knowledge from and back to the community.