The history of C++ starts with the C programming language that was first developed between 1972 and 1973. The C programming language is a middle-level language which means that it combines the benefits of both sides: the low-level machine languages and high-level, developer-friendly languages. C is also fast, portable, structured, and has a rich library. All of these features make C a general-purpose language. That means that C can be found across every domain in the programming world.
Bjarne Stroustrup developed C++ as an extension of C in 1979. C++ was initially called "C with classes" since the differences were minor. Still, it gradually evolved and became one of the world's most widely used programming languages. As a result, we can say that the demand for C++ is more significant than it is for C, which is a difficult task to accomplish.
People are very interested in the uses of C++, and it seems like everyone wants to get into the world of C++ programming. A big reason is that the salaries of C++ programmers are at an all-time high, and a skill set like this offers tons of opportunities. Let's take a look at Salary Explorer's 2021 report, stating that the salary for C++ programmers in Serbia averages around 137,000 RSD per month.
For all these reasons, C++ and advanced C++ courses have been on the rise in recent years. So, in this article, we will look at all the things a C++ programmer can use these skills in the industry.
What is the C programming language used for?
As we mentioned, C is a general-purpose language typically used to create applications. However, it was originally developed for writing operating systems. Since a few programmers realized that it could do much more, C gained popularity among software engineers worldwide because of its versatility and flexibility. C is still considered "the mother of all programming languages", and we can't overlook its importance. C is suitable for writing commercial and system software. Additionally, it is one of the easiest languages to learn.
This means that we can use the C programming language for various applications, games, and graphics. One of the most important uses of C is scripting system applications. These apps form a significant part of operating systems such as Windows, UNIX, and Linux. Interestingly enough, C is also used to develop new programming languages. For example, C++, C#, D, Java, Limbo, JavaScript, Perl, UNIX's C Shell, PHP and Python, and Verilog all use C somehow. C builds standard libraries in Python. Others like C++, Perl, and PHP have syntax and control structures based upon C.
What is the C++ programming language used for?
C++ programming language is used for almost anything that has software! Wherever we look, we are bound to find C++. Why is that so? Well, C++ can directly manipulate the hardware that it runs on, it supports generic, object-oriented, and procedural programming, and programmers can fine-tune their code. Moreover, C++ has a rich standard library with numerous functions and methods used to manipulate files and data structures.
All of this translates to programs that are reliable and run quickly on a variety of platforms and devices.
As a result, C++ grew roots in almost everything, from gaming to operating systems, to databases and web browsers. As a result, it is an ideal building block for applications. You can find more on the use of C++ in the industry in the following part.
Difference between C and C++
Although they technically belong to the same language, there are still some important differences between C and C++. The main difference is that while C is a procedural language that doesn't support objects and classes. C++ is a combination of both procedural and object-oriented programming languages.
Moreover, C focuses on steps rather than data, so it follows a top to bottom programming approach, whereas C++ focuses on the data rather than the overall procedure. It follows a bottom to top approach. C++ supports exception handling and provides efficient support during errors and incorrect codes, while C doesn't. Apart from other differences, C is more suitable for low-level implementations, assemblers, network drivers, and text editors, while C++ is more suitable for high-end programming.
Where is C++ used in the industry?
There are a lot of instances where C++ is used in the industry. However, we are going to discuss some of the most notable uses of C++ in the industry.
Game development
There are a lot of games coded in C++, such as some of the most famous games worldwide: Counter-Strike, World of Warcraft, and Starcraft. In addition, we can find C++ in game engines and gaming consoles, such as Unreal Engine and Playstation. The secret behind using the C++ language in gaming is that C++ helps override the complexity of 3D games and optimize the use of resources.
Web browsers
C++ was used to code web browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera. More precisely, C++ helps develop back-end services that retrieve information from databases and then render the code into web pages. C++ is crucial because it can carry out these tasks with minimal delays and high speed. Thanks to C++, we don't have to wait long for our web pages to load. Talk about cool things to do with C++!
Operating systems
C ++ plays an essential role in operating systems, from desktop to mobile: macOS, Windows, iOS, XP, Internet Explorer and Symbian. In general, with the low-level capabilities of C++ that are close to machine code, developers can structure their code to make every single detail of the OS fast and energy-efficient. This makes C++ the perfect programming language for use in operating systems.
Databases
Another significant use of the C++ language is its use for databases and database access, more precisely, open-source database software. Let's take MySQL as an example since it's the most popular database management software used worldwide among organizations and developers. Another example can be Bloomberg RDBMS, which provides real-time information to investors, mainly written in C++. Databases like these are used to form the backbone of applications, such as Wikipedia, Youtube, Yahoo, and the ones created by Netflix, Google, Adobe, and many others.
Animation and AR/VR
AR and VR apps need to handle large amounts of data. This data is continuously adjusted based on user interactions and camera sensors input. C++ is perfect for processing all of it, and many AR and VR apps run on Unreal Engine. As we already mentioned, Unreal Engine was built on C++.
Another cool thing to do with C++ is animation or animated software. However, we mustn't forget prevalent augmented reality and virtual reality applications. C++ was a significant help in coding some of the essential tools such as modelling, image processing, simulation, visual effects and mobile sensor applications.
IoT devices / Consumer Electronics
Internet of things (IoT) and consumer electronics devices include embedded systems that very often rely on C++. Since the software is embedded inside an object, these devices need to operate with strict power requirements and limited computer resources. C++ allows programmers to control how these resources are used so that the programs can run more efficiently. The list of such devices is very long. Some examples include appliances, TVs, cars, mobile phones, smartwatches, and medical devices.
Applications
C++ is often used to develop applications, specifically those based on the graphic user interface, generally the most-used apps. Some of the most notable apps used worldwide are Adobe and Winamp. First, let's take a look at how C++ controls media access. Winamp is a media player that allows us to enjoy music and share videos and music files. It also has features like streaming, access to radio stations, and art support. Programmers used C++ to create the media player and manage video and audio files.
Automotive industry
C++ is increasingly popular in the automotive industry. It is used for developing modern software for autonomous driving functions in vehicles. Since autonomous driving is a multi-faceted problem, modelling for the real world is of utmost importance. This makes the object-oriented nature of C++ suitable for modelling various real-world entities (obstacles, signs, pedestrians...). Still, C++ is fast enough and still sufficiently low-level to optimise specific embedded environments, such as domain controllers (computers) in vehicles.
Conclusion
With the development of technology came a significant rise in demand and popularity of the C++ programming language. Nowadays, C++ is a language that finds use everywhere, and if you want to get into C++, you can't do wrong. Another good thing is that C++ is used mainly in programming and embedded systems, and it has a rich community that helps when you are hiring or looking for a job.
The possibilities of C++ language use are virtually endless, and it's a fantastic language if you are entirely new to programming. We explained the primary uses of C++ in the industry, but there are many more ways to do incredible things with C++. So if you want to learn C++ or perfect your existing skills to land better jobs, check out our courses: Basics of C++ and Modern C++. While you are here, you read the interview with the NIT Academy instructor Miodrag Djukic and find out more about his impressions about these courses and learning this programming language.
