HISTORY OF C++

2.1 Before C++: Early Programming Languages

To understand C++, we must understand what came before it.

✔ Early languages used:

• Assembly Language – very hard, machine-level code
• C Language – created in the 1970s, simple, powerful, fast

C became extremely popular and was used to build:

• Operating systems
• Compilers
• Databases
• Embedded systems

But programmers needed more features, especially Object-Oriented Programming (OOP).

So, a new, more powerful language was needed.

2.2 Birth of C++

C++ was created by:

2.3 Why Was C++ Created?

Stroustrup wanted a language that was:

• ✔ As fast as C
• ✔ As powerful as OOP languages like Simula
• ✔ Easy to use
• ✔ Flexible
• ✔ Good for large projects

He combined the speed of C with the flexibility of OOP.

This new hybrid language became:

• 👉 C with Classes (older name)
• 👉 Later renamed to C++

2.4 Why the Name "C++"?

In C++, ++ means increment (add 1).

So the name C++ symbolically means:

• 👉 "C improved"
• 👉 "C upgraded"
• 👉 "A better version of C"

It shows that C++ is based on C, but with more power.

2.5 Important Features Added to C++

C++ introduced many improvements:

• ✔ Object-Oriented Programming
  • Classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation
• ✔ Strong type-checking
  • Compiler catches many errors
• ✔ Reusable code
  • Use the same logic in multiple programs
• ✔ Faster performance
  • Suitable for real-time and complex calculations
• ✔ Multi-paradigm

  Supports:

  • Procedural programming
  • Object-oriented programming
  • Generic programming (templates)

2.6 Timeline of C++ Development

Here is a simple diagram:

2.7 Why Is C++ Still Important Today?

Even after 40+ years, C++ is still widely used in:

• ✔ Game development

  (Unreal Engine is built in C++)

• ✔ High-speed applications

  Trading systems, physics engines

• ✔ Robotics and automation

  Control systems, embedded systems

• ✔ Operating systems

  Device drivers, file systems

• ✔ Engineering & scientific software

  Simulations, calculations

• ✔ Browsers

  Chrome and Firefox use C++ under the hood

2.8 Simple Program from Early C++

Even early programs looked very similar to modern C++.

2.9 Summary of Chapter 2

• C++ was created by Bjarne Stroustrup
• Started in 1979, first released in 1985
• Designed to combine speed of C with power of OOP
• Name "C++" means "improved version of C"
• C++ is still important in games, operating systems, robotics, and more

2.10 Exercises (For Practice)

Q1. Who created C++?

Q2. What was the original name of C++?

Q3. Why was C++ created?

Q4. What does the name 'C++' represent?

Q5. Write 3 major uses of C++ today.

⭐ 2.11 Answer Key

A1.

Bjarne Stroustrup

A2.

C with Classes

A3.

To combine C's speed with OOP features

A4.

It means "C improved"

A5.

Game development, operating systems, robotics