Introduction to Programming with C++

•Noor-ul-Hassan

Introduction to Programming

Have you ever tried to tell a friend step by step how to make a sandwich?
You might say:

  1. Take two slices of bread.
  2. Spread butter on one side of each slice.
  3. Add some cheese and vegetables.
  4. Put the slices together.

If you give the instructions clearly, your friend can follow them and make a sandwich.
Programming is very similar—you are giving instructions to a computer, step by step, so it can do something for you.

What is Programming?

Programming is the process of telling a computer exactly what to do.
Just like the sandwich example, the computer can only follow clear and precise instructions.

Think of a computer like a very literal robot.

  • If you say "make a sandwich," it won't know what to do.
  • You must tell it every small step, one by one.

Programming languages are like the languages you use to talk to the robot.

  • Each language has its own rules and words.
  • Some are easier for beginners, some are faster for big tasks, some are good for making websites, and others for games or apps.

How Computers Understand Instructions

A computer only understands ones and zeros—this is called binary.

  • 1 means ON
  • 0 means OFF

Every image, game, or program you use is just a huge collection of 1s and 0s.

But writing everything in 1s and 0s would be extremely hard.
So we use programming languages like C++, Python, or Java.
These languages act as a translator:

  • You write instructions in a language humans can read.
  • The computer translates it into ones and zeros to actually perform the tasks.

What is C++ and Why Learn It?

C++ is one of the most popular and powerful programming languages in the world.

Think of it like a Swiss Army knife:

  • You can build games (like the ones you play on your phone or computer).
  • You can build apps (like the ones on your phone).
  • You can build big software systems (like the programs banks or hospitals use).

Why beginners should learn C++:

  1. It teaches how computers really work.
  2. You learn problem-solving step by step, not just copying code.
  3. Many other programming languages are easier to learn once you know C++.

A Simple C++ Example

Let's write the simplest program in C++—it just says hello to the world:

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
 
int main() {
cout << "Hello, World!" << endl; // prints Hello, World!
return 0; // ends the program
}

Explanation:

  • #include <iostream> → allows the program to print messages to the screen.
  • using namespace std; → makes it easier to write code without typing extra words.
  • int main() → this is the starting point of every C++ program.
  • cout << "Hello, World!" << endl; → prints text to the screen.
  • return 0; → tells the computer the program finished successfully.

Small Exercise for You

  1. Change "Hello, World!" to your name.
  2. Run the program and see the result on the screen.

Congratulations! You just wrote your first program. You are officially a programmer!

Next, we will learn about variables and data types, which are like boxes to store information in your programs.