C++ Language Part -1

The Foundation of C++

As you probably know, C++ is built upon the foundation of C. When C++ was invented, the C language was used as the starting point. To C were added several new features and extensions designed to support object-oriented programming (OOP). However, the C-like aspects of C++ were never abandoned.

In its current form, C++ is an enhanced version of ANSI standard C. In fact, the ANSI C standard is a base document for the proposed ANSI C++ standard. For this reason, any C++ compiler is by definition also a C compiler. Because C++ is built upon C, you cannot program in C++ unless you know how to program in C. Further, many of the fundamental concepts that form the basis for C also form the foundation for C++.

Since C++ is a superset of C, the material described in this part is fully applicable to C++. The C++ specific features of C++ are detailed in Part 2. The reason that the C like features of C++ are covered in their own section is to make it easier for the experienced C programmer to quickly and easily find information about C++ without having to “wade through” reams of information that he or she already knows. Throughout Part One, any minor differences between C and C++ are noted.