What C++ Can Be Used For & Why You Should Care

First introduced over 35 years ago, C++ is one of the most commonly beloved programming languages. In fact, according to Zippia.com, the demand for C++ developers will grow by 21%, creating 284,100 jobs in the United States alone between 2018 and 2028.

First and foremost, C++ is a programming language that assists in writing portable programs quickly and contains large library support using Standard Template Library (STL). It’s a foundational language. The is the first and main language to step away from code that looks like only a computer can read to something that humans can read and understand. C++ and its little cousin C are what high-level languages are coded in. It’s hardly new, so you’ve probably already used it without even knowing it.

5 Benefits of C++

  1. Compiled — A code that must be compiled first into low-level code in order to be executed later, which is different from interpreted programming languages that do not require compilation.
  2. Rich Library Support — The Standard Template Library (STL) contains resources to help write code quickly, like the standard libraries provided with containers such as maps, sets, and hash tables. 
  3. Pointer support — Despite pointers not typically being supported in other languages, C++ is able to support pointers while programming. 
  4. Object-Oriented — The language is object-oriented, so C++ will spotlight objects along with the manipulations around them. Info about how manipulations function can be abstracted using the consumer of the object.
  5. Speed — It’s mostly used because of how quickly it operates. Compilation and execution are the quickest of just about any other programming language. Web browsers commonly use C++ because of speed quality. People won’t have to wait with swift action by the rendering engine, ideal for browsers being used for quick and easy access to the web.

How C++ Is Being Used Today

Any graphic engine being designed also needs quick rendering. Computer vision, high-end graphical processing, and digital image processing are all able to perform at the rate we need them all thanks to C++. Computer and video games will all use C++ using the backend programming language. The application can even be used on low-end devices that can’t have expensive high computation power, thus including more users who can’t afford more expensive systems.

C++ is also utilized in the most common core-banking system. Millions of bank transactions can be processed every day with the help of C++. The appeal of low latency support and high concurrency that is occurring in massive quantities every day is only able to happen because of C++. It’s the number one choice for online banking and transactions also all because of its fast multithreading support and Stanard Template Libraries.

A cloud storage and distributed system can also be easily created with C++ since it has the ability to connect beautifully with hardware and can also work well with most machines, which makes it fairly popular with big businesses. Scalable file systems that are able to work near the hardware, making it the most popular option.

Interesting In Getting Into C++ Development?

C++ holds so much importance in the world of programming languages since just about all systems and programs are written in C and/or C++. This includes photo editing, Windows, video games, and even the web browser you’re using right now to read this at this very moment in time. C++ is essential in just about every application we need to work and play and will always be relevant. 

Learn C++ to code a wide variety of tech, from self-driving cars and robotics to web browsers, media platforms, and operating systems with Udacity’s C++ Nanodegree.

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Jennifer Shalamanov
Jennifer Shalamanov
Jennifer is a content writer at Udacity with over 10 years of content creation and marketing communications experience in the tech, e-commerce and online learning spaces. When she’s not working to inform, engage and inspire readers, she’s probably drinking too many lattes and scouring fashion blogs.