C++ Constants

Constants

When you do not want others (or yourself) to change existing variable values, use the const keyword (this will declare the variable as “constant”, which means unchangeable and read-only):

Example

const int myNum = 15;  // myNum will always be 15
myNum = 10;  // error: assignment of read-only variable 'myNum'

You should always declare the variable as constant when you have values that are unlikely to change: Continue reading C++ Constants

C++ Identifiers

C++ Identifiers

All C++ variables must be identified with unique names.

These unique names are called identifiers.

Identifiers can be short names (like x and y) or more descriptive names (age, sum, totalVolume).

Note: It is recommended to use descriptive names in order to create understandable and maintainable code: Continue reading C++ Identifiers

C++ Declare Multiple Variables

Declare Many Variables

To declare more than one variable of the same type, use a comma-separated list:

Example

int x = 5, y = 6, z = 50;
cout << x + y + z;

Continue reading C++ Declare Multiple Variables

C++ Variables

C++ Variables

Variables are containers for storing data values.

In C++, there are different types of variables (defined with different keywords), for example:

  • 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

Continue reading C++ Variables

C++ Comments

C++ Comments

Comments can be used to explain C++ code, and to make it more readable. It can also be used to prevent execution when testing alternative code. Comments can be singled-lined or multi-lined.

Continue reading C++ Comments

C++ New Lines

New Lines

To insert a new line in your output, you can use the \n character:

Example

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
  cout << "Hello World! \n";
  cout << "I am learning C++";
  return 0;
}

You can also use another << operator and place the \n character after the text, like this : Continue reading C++ New Lines

C++ Output Numbers

C++ Print Numbers

You can also use cout() to print numbers.

However, unlike text, we don’t put numbers inside double quotes:

Example

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
  cout << 3;
  return 0;
}

You can also perform mathematical calculations: Continue reading C++ Output Numbers

C++ Output

C++ Output (Print Text)

The cout object, together with the << operator, is used to output values and print text.

Just remember to surround the text with double quotes (""): Continue reading C++ Output

C++ Statements

C++ Statements

A computer program is a list of “instructions” to be “executed” by a computer.

In a programming language, these programming instructions are called statements.

The following statement “instructs” the compiler to print the text “Hello World” to the screen: Continue reading C++ Statements

C++ Syntax

C++ Syntax

Let’s break up the following code to understand it better:

Example

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
  cout << "Hello World!";
  return 0;
}

Example explained

Line 1: #include <iostream> is a header file library that lets us work with input and output objects, such as cout (used in line 5). Header files add functionality to C++ programs.

Line 2: using namespace std means that we can use names for objects and variables from the standard library. Continue reading C++ Syntax