freeCodeCamp/guide/english/cplusplus/index.md

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---
title: C++
---
# Hello World! - Your First C++ Program
## What is C++?
* C++ is a general purpose programming language which has been used since the 1990's
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* It was designed by Bjarne Stroustrup under the name "C with classes".
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* It is a version of C that includes Object-Oriented elements, including classes and functions.
* It is considered one of the biggest programming languages, as you can see in the following image:
![Img](http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/59deb30392406c21008b6148-1200/for-bonus-points-heres-the-chart-showing-these-languages-relative-popularity.jpg)
_source: Github_
### Your First Program in C++
```cpp
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
cout << "Hello World" << endl;
return 0;
}
```
#### The Output of this program will be:
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```
Hello World!
```
Now, let's break down the code:
#### Lines 1 and 2
```cpp
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
```
* The first line tells the computer to use the "iostream" header file for this specific program. A header file is a separate file with prewritten C++ code. There are many other header files which are required for a specific program to run properly. For example, math, vector, string, etc. Header files are generally represented by a ".h" extension, when including standard library header files you don't include the ".h" extension.
* The `iostream` header contains the public interface for the input-output stream from the standard library. The "iostream" file contains code for allowing the computer to take input and generate an output, using the C++ language.
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* The second line tells the computer to use the standard namespace which includes features of standard C++. You could write this program without this line, but you'd have to use `std::cout` instead of `cout` and `std::endl` instead of `endl` on line 4. It makes the code more readable and our lives as programmers easier.
#### Line 3 and 4
```cpp
int main()
{
```
* C++ starts execution of a program from the -main function- `int main()` . During execution, the computer starts running the code from every line from `{`(opening bracket) till `}`(closing bracket)
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**NOTE : Every function starts with an opening curly brace "{" and ends with a closing curly brace "}".**
* Line 4 indicates the start of the main() function.
#### Lines 5, 6 & 7
```cpp
cout << "Hello World" << endl;
return 0;
}
```
* The word `cout` in C++ is used to stream data to standard output.
* It is followed by `<<` , the _insertion operator_.
* Whatever is in the double quotes `""` is printed. Certain special characters have a different syntax for print statements
* Now to print any other kind of data, you have to add `<<`.
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***Challenge: Change Hello World to another sentence. What will be the output?***
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* `endl` is another symbol from the iostream library which means to **end this line and go to the next line during output** . - _cout stands for "console output"_
* Finally, finish the statement with a semicolon `;`.
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**NOTE : Every statement except the main function definition and the #include directive needs to be ended by the semicolon. Without a ";", you may encounter a compiler error.**
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* `return 0;` safely terminates the current function i.e. 'main()' in this case and since no function follows after 'main()' the program is terminated.
* Don't forget to tell the computer that this is end of the main() function. To do this , you add the closing curly brace "}". You will encounter compiler error before program execution if you do not include the **}** .
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### The code should look something like this:
![Img](https://i.imgur.com/d1liGwI.png)
Programmers use a Hello World program (like this one) as a ritual on using a new programming language. It is a symbol of good luck.
_You have finished coding your first C++ program and have understood most of the code you have written/typed. CONGRATULATIONS!_
**Good Luck to all of you and happy coding! :)**
**Happy Coding ! :)**
**Feel free to ask any questions on FreeCodeCamp's GitHub page or [FreeCodeCamp's Forum.](https://forum.freecodecamp.org/)**
[Try it yourself ! :)](https://repl.it/L4k3)
**You need software to write and execute C++ code, download from one of the links below:**
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[Codeblocks](http://www.codeblocks.org/downloads/26)
[Xcode](https://developer.apple.com/xcode/)
[Eclipse](http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/)