C++ descended from the C language, an iconic low-level programming language that has found many different uses.
For example, both the Linux kernel and the entire Python language were written in C.
The term “low-level” refers to a language’s relative proximity to the computer’s hardware.
The more a language abstracts away from assembly code, the more high-level it’s considered.
Bjarne Stroustrup began working on C++ back in 1979.
Then called “C with Classes,” it aimed to combine C’s low-level features with a high-level object-oriented paradigm.
The successor of “C with Classes” was named C++, referencing the incremental operator found in both languages (++ means “add one to the value at hand”).
Since then, C++ has evolved into a key language for applications that rely on superfast processing power, such as video games, autonomous driving and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The TIOBE index ranked it as the fourth most popular programming language in 2020.
C++ is a compiled language.
This means that upon writing the program and storing it in a script, we call a compiler that converts the entire program into machine-readable code.
Compared to interpreted languages like JavaScript and Python, compiled languages execute much faster.
So how hard is it to learn C++, really? Of course, there’s not a universal answer.
How long it would take you would depend on many factors, such as your background and motivation, and what you want to do with the language.
In other words, we can approach learning to program in the same way as we would go about learning to speak a new language.
Before we move on to how long to learn c++ let us explain the reason to learn it.
To know how long does it take to learn C++ first you should know why you need to learn this language.
C++ plays quite an essential role in modern times as many modern systems such as web browsers, operating systems, databases, etc., have C++ code in at least some part of their codebase.
Furthermore, C++ is quite helpful in performance-critical sections because of its speed.
Here are some 7 easy steps on how to learn C++ in 2023:
Understand variables, data types, loops, and conditional statements.
These fundamental concepts form the foundation of C++.
Install a C++ compiler and an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) like Visual Studio or Code::Blocks to write and run C++ code.
Study C++ syntax rules, such as declaring variables, creating functions, and using classes, to begin writing simple programs.
Start with basic exercises to reinforce your understanding of C++ concepts and gain confidence in writing code.
To avoid creating the wheel from scratch when programming, become familiar with the extensive collection of functions and classes given by the C++ Standard Library.
Learn about pointers and allocation to handle dynamic memory and avoid memory leaks.
Work on more complex projects to enhance problem-solving skills and gain experience applying C++ for practical applications.
Don’t be afraid to search for existing code examples to learn from and improve your skills.