C++ Programming Tutorial

C++ ProgrammingIn this tutorial I teach the entire C++ Programming language in one video tutorial. The cheat sheet follows the video below.

This is part of what is covered Data Types, Arithmetic, If, Switch, Ternary Operator, Arrays, For Loop, While Loop, Do While Loop, User Input, Strings, Vectors, Functions, Recursion, File I/O, Exceptions, Pointers, Reference Operator, Class, Objects, Private, Public, Prototypes, Static, Encapsulation, Constructors, Destructors, This, Inheritance, Virtual Methods, Polymorphism, Abstract Data Types and more.

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// This is a comment
/*
 * Multi-line comment
 */

// Tells the compiler iostream library which contains the function cout
#include <iostream>

// Allows us to use vectors
#include <vector>

// Allows us to use strings
#include <string>

// Allow us to work with files
#include <fstream>

// Allows functions in the std namespace to be used without their prefix
// std::cout becomes cout
using namespace std;

// ---------- FUNCTIONS ----------
// The function has return type, function name and attributes with 
// their data types
// The attribute data types must match the value passed in
// This data is passed by value
// You can define default values to attributes as long as they come last
// This is known as a function prototype
int addNumbers(int firstNum, int secondNum = 0){

		int combinedValue = firstNum + secondNum;

		return combinedValue;

}

// An overloaded function has the same name, but different attributes
int addNumbers(int firstNum, int secondNum, int thirdNum){

	return firstNum + secondNum + thirdNum;

}

// A recursive function is one that calls itself

int getFactorial(int number){

	int sum;
	if(number == 1) sum = 1;
	else sum = (getFactorial(number - 1) * number);
	return sum;

	// getFactorial(2) [Returns 2] * 3
	// getFactorial(1) [Returns 1] * 2 <This value goes above>
	// 2 * 3 = 6

}

// Doesn't have a return type so use void
// Since I'm getting a pointer use int*
// Refer to the referenced variable with *age
void makeMeYoung(int* age){

	cout << "I used to be " << *age << endl;	
	*age = 21;

}

// A function that receives a reference can manipulate the value globally
void actYourAge(int& age){

	age = 39;

}

// ---------- END OF FUNCTIONS ----------

// ---------- CLASSES ----------
// classes start with the name class

class Animal
{

// private variables are only available to methods in the class
private:
	int height;
	int weight;
	string name;

	// A static variable shares the same value with every object in the class
	static int numOfAnimals;

// Public variables can be accessed by anything with access to the object
public:
	int getHeight(){return height;}
	int getWeight(){return weight;}
	string getName(){return name;}
	void setHeight(int cm){ height = cm; }
	void setWeight(int kg){ weight = kg; }
	void setName(string dogName){ name = dogName; }

	// Declared as a prototype
	void setAll(int, int, string);

	// Declare the constructor
	Animal(int, int, string);

	// Declare the deconstructor
	~Animal();

	// An overloaded constructor called when no data is passed
	Animal();

	// protected members are available to members of the same class and 
	// sub classes

	// Static methods aren't attached to an object and can only access
	// static member variables
	static int getNumOfAnimals() { return numOfAnimals; }

	// This method will be overwritten in Dog
	void toString();

};

int Animal::numOfAnimals = 0;

// Define the protoype method setAll
void Animal::setAll(int height, int weight, string name){

	// This is used to refer to an object created of this class type
	this -> height = height;
	this -> weight = weight;
	this -> name = name;
	Animal::numOfAnimals++;

}

// A constructor is called when an object is created
Animal::Animal(int height, int weight, string name) {

	this -> height = height;
	this -> weight = weight;
	this -> name = name;

}

// The destructor is called when an object is destroyed
Animal::~Animal() {

	cout << "Animal " << this -> name << " destroyed" << endl;

}

// A constructor called when no attributes are passed
Animal::Animal() {
	numOfAnimals++;
}

// This method prints object info to screen and will be overwritten
void Animal::toString(){

	cout << this -> name << " is " << this -> height << " cms tall and "
		<< this -> weight << " kgs in weight" << endl;

}

// We can inherit the variables and methods of other classes
class Dog : public Animal{

	private:
		string sound = "Woof";
	public:
		void getSound() { cout << sound << endl; }

		// Declare the constructor
		Dog(int, int, string, string);

		// Declare the default constructor and call the default superclass
		// constructor
		Dog() : Animal(){};

		// Overwrite toString
		void toString();

};

// Dog constructor passes the right attributes to the superclass
// constructor and then handles the attribute bark that remains
Dog::Dog(int height, int weight, string name, string bark) : 
Animal(height, weight, name){

	this -> sound = bark;

}

// toString method overwritten
void Dog::toString(){

	// Because the attributes were private in Animal they must be retrieved 
	// by called the get methods
	cout << this -> getName() << " is " << this -> getHeight() << 
		" cms tall and " << this -> getWeight() << " kgs in weight and says " << 
		this -> sound << endl;

}

// ---------- END OF CLASSES ----------

// This is where execution begins. Attributes can be sent to main
int main() {

	// cout outputs text and a carriage return with endl
	// Statements must end with a semicolon
	// Strings must be surrounded by "
	// << sends the text via standard output to the screen
	cout << "Hello Internet" << endl;

	// ---------- VARIABLES / DATA TYPES ----------
	// Variables start with a letter and can contain letters, numbers and _
	// They are case sensitive

	// A value that won't change is a constant
	// Starts with const and it should be uppercase
	const double PI = 3.1415926535;

	// chars can contain 1 character that are surrounded with ' and is one byte in size
	char myGrade = 'A';

	// bools have the value of (true/1) or (false/0)
	bool isHappy = true;

	// ints are whole numbers
	int myAge = 39;

	// floats are floating point numbers accurate to about 6 decimals
	float favNum = 3.141592;

	// doubles are floating point numbers accurate to about 15 digits
	double otherFavNum = 1.6180339887;

	// You can output a variable value like this
	cout << "Favorite Number " << favNum << endl;

	// Other types include
	// short int : At least 16 bits
	// long int : At least 32 bits
	// long long int : At least 64 bits
	// unsigned int : Same size as signed version
	// long double : Not less then double

	// You can get the number of bytes for a data type with sizeof

	cout << "Size of int " << sizeof(myAge) << endl;
	cout << "Size of char " << sizeof(myGrade) << endl;
	cout << "Size of bool " << sizeof(isHappy) << endl;
	cout << "Size of float " << sizeof(favNum) << endl;
	cout << "Size of double " << sizeof(otherFavNum) << endl;

	int largestInt = 2147483647;

	cout << "Largest int " << largestInt << endl;

	// ---------- ARITHMETIC ----------
	// The arithmetic operators are +, -, *, /, %, ++, --

	cout << "5 + 2 = " << 5+2 << endl;
	cout << "5 - 2 = " << 5-2 << endl;
	cout << "5 * 2 = " << 5*2 << endl;
	cout << "5 / 2 = " << 5/2 << endl;
	cout << "5 % 2 = " << 5%2 << endl;

	int five = 5;
	cout << "5++ = " << five++ << endl;
	cout << "++5 = " << ++five << endl;
	cout << "5-- = " << five-- << endl;
	cout << "--5 = " << --five << endl;

	// Shorthand assignment operators
	// a += b == a = a + b
	// There is also -=, *=, /=, %=

	// Order of Operation states * and / is performed before + and -

	cout << "1 + 2 - 3 * 2 = " << 1 + 2 - 3 * 2 << endl;
	cout << "(1 + 2 - 3) * 2 = " << (1 + 2 - 3) * 2 << endl;

	// ---------- CASTING ----------
	// You convert from one data type to another by casting
	// char, int, float, double

	cout << "4 / 5 = " << 4 / 5 << endl;
	cout << "4 / 5 = " << (float) 4 / 5 << endl;

	// ---------- IF STATEMENT ----------
	// Executes different code depending upon a condition

	// Comparison operators include ==, !=, >, <, >=, <=
	// Will return true (1) if the comparison is true, or false (0)

	// Logical operators include &&, ||, !
	// Used to test 2 or more conditionals

	int age = 70;
	int ageAtLastExam = 16;
	bool isNotIntoxicated = true;

	if((age >= 1) && (age < 16)){
		cout << "You can't drive" << endl;
	} else if(!isNotIntoxicated){
		cout << "You can't drive" << endl;
	} else if(age >= 80 && ((age > 100) || ((age - ageAtLastExam) > 5))){
		cout << "You can't drive" << endl;
	} else {
		cout << "You can drive" << endl;
	}

	// ---------- SWITCH STATEMENT ----------
	// switch is used when you have a limited number of possible options

	int greetingOption = 2;

	switch(greetingOption){

	case 1 :
		cout << "bonjour" << endl;
		break;

	case 2 :
		cout << "Hola" << endl;
		break;

	case 3 :
		cout << "Hallo" << endl;
		break;

	default :
		cout << "Hello" << endl;
	}

	// ---------- TERNARY OPERATOR ----------
	// Performs an assignment based on a condition
	// variable = (condition) ? if true : if false

	int largestNum = (5 > 2) ? 5 : 2;

	cout << "The biggest number is " << largestNum << endl;

	// ---------- ARRAYS ----------
	// Arrays store multiple values of the same type

	// You must provide a data type and the size of the array
	int myFavNums[5];

	// You can declare and add values in one step
	int badNums[5] = {4, 13, 14, 24, 34};

	// The first item in the array has the label (index) of 0
	cout << "Bad Number 1: " << badNums[0] << endl;

	// You can create multidimensional arrays
	char myName[5][5] = {{'D','e','r','e','k'},{'B','a','n','a','s'}};

	cout << "2nd Letter in 2nd Array: " << myName[1][1] << endl;

	// You can change a value in an array using its index
	myName[0][2] = 'e';

	cout << "New Value " << myName[0][2] << endl;

	// ---------- FOR LOOP ----------
	// Continues to execute code as long as a condition is true

	for(int i = 1; i <= 10; i++){

		cout << i << endl;

	}

	// You can also cycle through an array by nesting for loops
	for(int j = 0; j < 5; j++){

		for(int k = 0; k < 5; k++){
			cout << myName[j][k];
		}

		cout << endl;

	}

	// ---------- WHILE LOOP ----------
	// Use a while loop when you don't know ahead of time when a loop will end

	// Generate a random number between 1 and 100
	int randNum = (rand() % 100) + 1;

	while(randNum != 100){

		cout << randNum << ", ";

		// Used to get you out of the loop
		randNum = (rand() % 100) + 1;

	}

	cout << endl;

	// You can do the same as the for loop like this
	// Create an index to iterate out side the while loop
	int index = 1;

	while(index <= 10){

		cout << index << endl;

		// Increment inside the loop
		index++;

	}

	// ---------- DO WHILE LOOP ----------
	// Used when you want to execute what is in the loop at least once

	// Used to store a series of characters
	string numberGuessed;
	int intNumberGuessed = 0;

	do {
	    cout << "Guess between 1 and 10: ";

	    // Allows for user input
	    // Pass the source and destination of the input
	    getline (cin,numberGuessed);

	    // stoi converts the string into an integer
	    intNumberGuessed = stoi(numberGuessed);
	    cout << intNumberGuessed << endl;

	    // We'll continue looping until the number entered is 4
	} while (intNumberGuessed != 4);

	  cout << "You Win" << endl;

	// ---------- STRINGS ----------
	// The string library class provides a string object
	// You must always surround strings with "
	// Unlike the char arrays in c, the string object automatically resizes

	// The C way of making a string
	char happyArray[6] = {'H', 'a', 'p', 'p', 'y', '\0'};

	// The C++ way
	string birthdayString = " Birthday";

	// You can combine / concatenate strings with +
	cout << happyArray + birthdayString << endl;

	string yourName;
	cout << "What is your name? ";
	getline (cin,yourName);

	cout << "Hello " << yourName << endl;

	double eulersConstant = .57721;
	string eulerGuess;
	double eulerGuessDouble;
	cout << "What is Euler's Constant? ";
	getline (cin,eulerGuess);

	// Converts a string into a double
	// stof() for floats
	eulerGuessDouble = stod(eulerGuess);

	if(eulerGuessDouble == eulersConstant){

		cout << "You are right" << endl;

	} else {

		cout << "You are wrong" << endl;

	}

	// Size returns the number of characters
	cout << "Size of string " << eulerGuess.size() << endl;

	// empty tells you if string is empty or not
	cout << "Is string empty " << eulerGuess.empty() << endl;

	// append adds strings together
	cout << eulerGuess.append(" was your guess") << endl;

	string dogString = "dog";
	string catString = "cat";

	// Compare returns a 0 for a match, 1 if less than, -1 if greater then
	cout << dogString.compare(catString) << endl;
	cout << dogString.compare(dogString) << endl;
	cout << catString.compare(dogString) << endl;

	// assign copies a value to another string 
	string wholeName = yourName.assign(yourName);
	cout << wholeName << endl;

	// You can get a substring as well by defining the starting index and the
	// number of characters to copy
	string firstName = wholeName.assign(wholeName, 0, 5);
	cout << firstName << endl;

	// find returns the index for the string your searching for starting
	// from the index defined
	int lastNameIndex = yourName.find("Banas", 0);
	cout << "Index for last name " << lastNameIndex << endl;

	// insert places a string in the index defined
	yourName.insert(5, " Justin");
	cout << yourName << endl;

	// erase will delete 6 characters starting at index 7
	yourName.erase(6,7);
	cout << yourName << endl;

	// replace 5 characters starting at index 6 with the string Maximus
	yourName.replace(6,5,"Maximus");
	cout << yourName << endl;

	// ---------- VECTORS ----------
	// Vectors are like arrays, but their size can change

	vector <int> lotteryNumVect(10);

	int lotteryNumArray[5] = {4, 13, 14, 24, 34};

	// Add the array to the vector starting at the beginning of the vector
	lotteryNumVect.insert(lotteryNumVect.begin(), lotteryNumArray, lotteryNumArray+3);

	// Insert a value into the 5th index
	lotteryNumVect.insert(lotteryNumVect.begin()+5, 44);

	// at gets the value in the specified index
	cout << "Value in 5 " << lotteryNumVect.at(5) << endl;

	// push_back adds a value at the end of a vector
	lotteryNumVect.push_back(64);

	// back gets the value in the final index
	cout << "Final Value " << lotteryNumVect.back() << endl;

	// pop_back removes the final element
	lotteryNumVect.pop_back();

	// front returns the first element
	cout << "First Element " << lotteryNumVect.front() << endl;

	// back returns the last element
	cout << "Last Element " << lotteryNumVect.back() << endl;

	// empty tells you if the vector is empty
	cout << "Vector Empty " << lotteryNumVect.empty() << endl;

	// size returns the total number of elements
	cout << "Number of Vector Elements " << lotteryNumVect.size() << endl;

	// ---------- FUNCTIONS ----------
	// Functions allow you to reuse and better organize your code

	cout << addNumbers(1) << endl;

	// You can't access values created in functions (Out of Scope)
	// cout << combinedValue << endl;

	cout << addNumbers(1, 5, 6) << endl;

	cout << "The factorial of 3 is " << getFactorial(3) << endl;

	// ---------- FILE I/O ----------
	// We can read and write to files using text or machine readable binary

	string steveQuote = "A day without sunshine is like, you know, night";

	// Create an output filestream and if the file doesn't exist create it
	ofstream writer("stevequote.txt");

	// Verify that the file stream object was created
	if(! writer){

		cout << "Error opening file" << endl;

		// Signal that an error occurred
		return -1;

	} else {

		// Write the text to the file
		writer << steveQuote << endl;

		// Close the file
		writer.close();

	}

	// Open a stream to append to whats there with ios::app
	// ios::binary : Treat the file as binary
	// ios::in : Open a file to read input
	// ios::trunc : Default
	// ios::out : Open a file to write output
	ofstream writer2("stevequote.txt", ios::app);

	if(! writer2){

		cout << "Error opening file" << endl;

		// Signal that an error occurred
		return -1;

	} else {

		writer2 << "\n- Steve Martin" << endl;
		writer2.close();

	}

	char letter;

	// Read characters from a file using an input file stream
	ifstream reader("stevequote.txt");

	if(! reader){

		cout << "Error opening file" << endl;
		return -1;

	} else {

		// Read each character from the stream until end of file
		for(int i = 0; ! reader.eof(); i++){

			// Get the next letter and output it
			reader.get(letter);
			cout << letter;

		}

		cout << endl;
		reader.close();

	}

	// ---------- EXCEPTION HANDLING ----------
	// You can be prepared for potential problems with exception handling

	int number = 0;

	try{

		if(number != 0){
			cout << 2/number << endl;
		} else throw(number);

	} 
	catch(int number){

		cout << number << " is not valid input" << endl;

	}

	// ---------- POINTERS ----------
	// When data is stored it is stored in an appropriately sized box based
	// on its data type 

	int myAge = 39;
	char myGrade = 'A';

	cout << "Size of int " << sizeof(myAge) << endl;
	cout << "Size of char " << sizeof(myGrade) << endl;

	// You can reference the box (memory address) where data is stored with 
	// the & reference operator

	cout << "myAge is located at " << &myAge << endl;

	// A pointer can store a memory address
	// The data type must be the same as the data referenced and it is followed
	// by a *

	int* agePtr = &myAge;

	// You can access the memory address and the data 
	cout << "Address of pointer " << agePtr << endl;

	// * is the dereference or indirection operator
	cout << "Data at memory address " << *agePtr << endl;

	int badNums[5] = {4, 13, 14, 24, 34};
	int* numArrayPtr = badNums;

	// You can increment through an array using a pointer with ++ or --
	cout << "Address " << numArrayPtr << " Value " << *numArrayPtr << endl;
	numArrayPtr++; 
	cout << "Address " << numArrayPtr << " Value " << *numArrayPtr << endl;

	// An array name is just a pointer to the array
	cout << "Address " << badNums << " Value " << *badNums << endl;

	// When you pass a variable to a function you are passing the value
	// When you pass a pointer to a function you are passing a reference
	// that can be changed

	makeMeYoung(&myAge);

	cout << "I'm " << myAge << " years old now" << endl;

	// & denotes that ageRef will be a reference to the assigned variable
	int& ageRef = myAge;

	cout << "ageRef : " << ageRef << endl;

	// It can manipulate the other variables data
	ageRef++; 

	cout << "myAge : " << myAge << endl;

	// You can pass the reference to a function
	actYourAge(ageRef);

	cout << "myAge : " << myAge << endl;

	// When deciding on whether to use pointers or references
	// Use Pointers if you don't want to initialize at declaration, or if
	// you need to assign another variable
	// otherwise use a reference

	// ---------- CLASSES & OBJECTS ----------
	// Classes are the blueprints for modeling real world objects
	// Real world objects have attributes, classes have members / variables
	// Real world objects have abilities, classes have methods / functions
	// Classes believe in hiding data (encapsulation) from outside code

	// Declare a Animal type object
	Animal fred;

	// Set the values for the Animal
	fred.setHeight(33);
	fred.setWeight(10);
	fred.setName("Fred");

	// Get the values for the Animal
	cout << fred.getName() << " is " << fred.getHeight() << " cms tall and "
		<< fred.getWeight() << " kgs in weight" << endl;

	fred.setAll(34, 12, "Fred");

	cout << fred.getName() << " is " << fred.getHeight() << " cms tall and "
		<< fred.getWeight() << " kgs in weight" << endl;

	// Creating an object using the constructor
	Animal tom(36, 15, "Tom");

	cout << tom.getName() << " is " << tom.getHeight() << " cms tall and "
		<< tom.getWeight() << " kgs in weight" << endl;

	// Demonstrate the inheriting class Dog
	Dog spot(38, 16, "Spot", "Woof");

	// static methods are called by using the class name and the scope operator
	cout << "Number of Animals " << Animal::getNumOfAnimals() << endl;

	spot.getSound();

	// Test the toString method that will be overwritten
	tom.toString();
	spot.toString();

	// We can call the superclass version of a method with the class name 
	// and the scope operator
	spot.Animal::toString();

	// When a function finishes it must return an integer value
	// Zero means that the function ended with success
	return 0;
}
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// Virtual Methods and Polymorphism
// Polymorpism allows you to treat subclasses as their superclass and yet
// call the correct overwritten methods in the subclass automatically

class Animal{
	public:
		void getFamily() { cout << "We are Animals" << endl; }

		// When we define a method as virtual we know that Animal
		// will be a base class that may have this method overwritten
		virtual void getClass() { cout << "I'm an Animal" << endl; }
};

class Dog : public Animal{
	public:
		void getClass() { cout << "I'm a Dog" << endl; }

};

class GermanShepard : public Dog{
	public:
		void getClass() { cout << "I'm a German Shepard" << endl; }
		void getDerived() { cout << "I'm an Animal and Dog" << endl; }

};

void whatClassAreYou(Animal *animal){ 
	animal -> getClass(); 
}

int main(){

	Animal *animal = new Animal;
	Dog *dog = new Dog;

	// If a method is marked virtual or not doesn't matter if we call the method
	// directly from the object
	animal->getClass();
	dog->getClass();

	// If getClass is not marked as virtual outside functions won't look for 
	// overwritten methods in subclasses however
	whatClassAreYou(animal);
	whatClassAreYou(dog);

	Dog spot;
	GermanShepard max;

	// A base class can call derived class methods as long as they exist 
	// in the base class
	Animal* ptrDog = &spot;
	Animal* ptrGShepard = &max;

	// Call the method not overwritten in the super class Animal
	ptrDog -> getFamily();

	// Since getClass was overwritten in Dog call the Dog version
	ptrDog -> getClass();

	// Call to the super class
	ptrGShepard -> getFamily();

	// Call to the overwritten GermanShepard version
	ptrGShepard -> getClass();

	return 0;
}
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// Polymorpism allows you to treat subclasses as their superclass and yet
// call the correct overwritten methods in the subclass automatically

class Animal{
	public:
		virtual void makeSound(){ cout << "The Animal says grrrr" << endl; }

		// The Animal class could be a capability class that exists
		// only to be derived from by containing only virtual methods
		// that do nothing

};

class Cat : public Animal{
	public:
		void makeSound(){ cout << "The Cat says meow" << endl; }

};

class Dog : public Animal{
	public:
		void makeSound(){ cout << "The Dog says woof" << endl; }

};

// An abstract data type is a class that acts as the base to other classes
// They stand out because its methods are initialized with zero
// A pure virtual method must be overwritten by subclasses

class Car{
	public : 
		virtual int getNumWheels() = 0;
		virtual int getNumDoors() = 0;
};

class StationWagon : public Car{
	public :
		int getNumWheels() { cout << "Station Wagon has 4 Wheels" << endl; }
		int getNumDoors() { cout << "Station Wagon has 4 Doors" << endl; }
		StationWagon() { }
		~StationWagon();

};

int main(){

	Animal* pCat = new Cat;
	Animal* pDog = new Dog;

	pCat -> makeSound();
	pDog -> makeSound();

	// Create a StationWagon using the abstract data type Car
	Car* stationWagon = new StationWagon();

	stationWagon -> getNumWheels();

	return 0;
}

8 thoughts on “C++ Programming Tutorial”

  1. Thanks Derek! This has really helped me grasp C++ within a day. I always wanted to learn C++ quickly without going through hours and hours of lectures but to get familiarized with the syntax and slightly new concepts which I’ve never come across in other programming languages. This video is just exactly it!
    You’re a real inspiration and I’m happy to have found this video. Thanks again 😀

  2. Hi derek your video tutorial superb.. I really learn lot… what ide did you use for c++?? Please send that ide link and please explain how to install properly…

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