Introduction to C++
What is C++?
C++ is one of the most widely used programming languages in competitive programming, software development, and system programming. It is known for:
- Speed & efficiency (close to the hardware, used in high-performance applications).
- Flexibility (supports both procedural and object-oriented programming).
- Rich standard library (STL) with powerful tools like vectors, sets, maps, and algorithms.
Because of its performance and versatility, C++ is the main language used in the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) and most competitive programming contests.
Why do we need VS Code?
Visual Studio Code is a free, lightweight, and powerful code editor. For C++ learners, it is useful because:
- It supports extensions (C++ IntelliSense, debugging, formatting).
- It works on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
- It makes it easier to compile, run, and debug C++ programs.
- It integrates well with Git, so you can manage your projects and track changes easily.
👉 Watch this short video tutorial to install VS Code for C++: 🎥 How to Install VS Code for C++
📚 Learning Resources for C++
1. Step-by-step tutorials
- France-IOI – courses and problems in French.
- W3Schools C++ – beginner-friendly, interactive tutorials.
- SoloLearn C++ – interactive mobile/web platform.
- Book – A Complete Guide to Programming in C++ (Volkov) – complete PDF textbook.
- GeeksforGeeks – tutorials and practice problems in C++.
2. Video Playlists
3. Practice Platforms
- LeetCode – practice coding problems with increasing difficulty.
- France-IOI – also doubles as a practice platform for beginners.
- AtCoder – Japanese competitive programming platform with regular contests.
- CSES Problem Set – a collection of competitive programming problems.
- Codeforces – competitive programming contests and problem archives.