Introduction to C++

C++ is a high-performance, general-purpose programming language created by Bjarne Stroustrup in 1985 as an extension of the C language. It is widely used in game development, operating systems, embedded systems, and high-frequency trading due to its speed and efficiency.

Key Features of C++

✔ Fast & Efficient (compiled language, close to hardware)
✔ Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) (supports classes & objects)
✔ Low-Level Memory Control (pointers, manual memory management)
✔ Rich Standard Library (STL for data structures & algorithms)
✔ Cross-Platform (works on Windows, Linux, macOS, embedded devices)

Where is C++ Used?

1. Game Development

• Unreal Engine, Unity (partly) use C++ for high-performance rendering.

• Example: Fortnite, Call of Duty.

2. Operating Systems

• Windows, Linux, macOS kernels have C++ components.

• Example: Windows OS core components.

3. Embedded Systems

• Used in IoT devices, microcontrollers, robotics.

• Example: Arduino programming.

4. High-Frequency Trading (HFT)

• Banks use C++ for ultra-low-latency trading algorithms.

5. Web Browsers

• Chrome, Firefox use C++ for rendering engines (Blink, Gecko).

6. Database Systems

• MySQL, MongoDB use C++ for fast query processing.

Advantages of C++

✅ Blazing Fast (used where performance matters)
✅ Full Hardware Control (memory, CPU optimization)
✅ Supports OOP & Generic Programming (templates)
✅ Huge Ecosystem (Boost, Qt, Unreal Engine)

Disadvantages of C++

❌ Hard to Learn (complex syntax, manual memory management)
❌ Memory Leaks Risk (if new/delete is misused)
❌ No Built-in Garbage Collection (unlike Java/Python)