Syntax of C++

Now I hope you know the meaning of the word Syntax; it means a structure or a way of writing a programming language in the context of programming. Now let’s learn the Syntax of C++. I have written some code below so we break each line and understand its purpose ok.

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

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

Example explained of Syntax of C++

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 the standard library’s names for objects and variables.

Note: Don’t worry or hesitate if you don’t understand how #include <iostream> and using namespace std works. Just think of it as something that (almost) always appears in your program and is a necessary part of our program; without it, we face an error ok.

Line #3: A blank line means C++ ignores white space. But we use it to make the code/source code more readable & understandable.

Line #4: Another thing that always appears in a C++ program is int main(). This is called a function or method, or you can say behavior. Any code inside its curly brackets {} will be executed.

Line #5: cout (pronounced as “see-out”) is an object used together with the insertion operator (<<) to output/print text. In our example, it will output “Hello World!”.

Note: Every C++ statement ends with a semicolon ( ;).It is also called terminator because it terminates our statement or line of code; I hope you got it.

Note: The body of int main() could also be written as:

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

Remember: The compiler ignores white spaces. However, multiple lines make the code more readable & understandable.

Line 6: return 0 ends the main function.

Line 7: Do not forget to add the closing curly bracket } to end the main function; otherwise, you will get an error.

Omitting Namespace in C++

You might see some C++ programs that run without the standard namespace library. The using namespace std line can be omitted and replaced with the std keyword, followed by the (::) operator for some objects:

For example:

#include <iostream>

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

NOTE: It is up to you whether you want to include the standard namespace library.

Link: https://Codelikechamp.com

Medium Link: Follow me on Medium

Linkedin Link: Follow me on Linkedin