Since its official launch in 1985, C++ remains one of the most commonly used programming languages across the globe. It has proved to be an effective language in software development and computer science. This language is used to develop a variety of products, including software, mobile applications, and games.
One of the many questions asked by game developers today is: How is C++ used in game development? Many developers prefer to use this language in game development because it guarantees them high performance and flexibility. Additionally, this programming language powers many modern systems, including search engines, operating systems, virtual reality systems, web browsers, and more.
Therefore, before you bring any software developer on board for your software development project, make sure they’re fully conversant with C++. Fortunately, it’s now easy to find the right C++ developers, thanks to the numerous freelance job sites available. You just need to identify a reliable and trustworthy site like Guru for your developers.
But before you hire C++ developers for your project, you need to understand the basics of C++, including what it is and how it works. You also need to ask yourself some important questions, including what’s the importance of using C++, and what does a C++ developer do?
What Is C++?
C++ is an object-oriented programming language used in the development of a wide range of products, including software, applications, and more. This language was developed in 1985 by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs; it’s an extension of the C language, which was created in the early 1970s by Dennis Ritchie.
Because C++ is fully compatible with C, it can compile almost all C programs without altering even a single line of the source code. Nevertheless, C++ is more well-structured and responsive than C. While most programming languages are designed for specific purposes, C++ is a multipurpose language, which is why it’s widely referred to as the “Swiss Pocket Knife of Languages.”
Reasons Why C++ Is Good for Software Development
While many developers work with numerous programming languages in their daily programming projects, some of them only work with a specific language continually. However, it’s important to hire a developer who can work with multiple languages so that you don’t have to hire different programmers for different projects. C++ is one of the programming languages that every professional developer should be familiar with because it’s a general-purpose language.
Using C++ to develop your software is beneficial in many ways compared to other common programming languages. Here are the main reasons why you should use C++ to develop your software:
Object-Oriented Language
Unlike other popular programming languages, C++ is object-oriented, which implies that its main focus is on the objects and management around the objects. Therefore, it’s very easy to manipulate code. Most of the other languages are either procedural or structured, which involves a sequence of computational steps during software development and implementation.
Impressive Speed
Speed is an important element in software development and implementation. Therefore, you need a programming language that will deliver the best speed. C++ has proved to be the most preferred option when speed becomes an important metric in software development. It’s faster than many other general-purpose languages, especially in compilation and implementation.
Compiled Language
Before implementation, each C++ code must be compiled into a low-level language. This doesn’t happen in many other programming languages. Languages that are compiled into a natural machine code are faster than interpreted code because the interpretation of the code at runtime increases the overhead, causing the program to be sluggish.
High-Volume Library
C++ has a high-volume Standard Template Library (STL), which has numerous functions to allow you to write your code quickly. For instance, it contains libraries for different containers, such as hash tables, sets, maps, and more. This library uses templates to execute a well-organized code base, which is extendable and reusable.
Pointer Support
If your software requires pointers, C++ is an ideal choice because it supports null pointers. This functionality isn’t available in many other programming languages. A null pointer is a constant with a zero value defined in various standard libraries. The good thing about C++ is that it allows you to have a pointer on top of a pointer etcetera.
Close to Hardware
Unlike other general-purpose programming languages, C++ is quite close to the hardware. Therefore, it becomes useful in areas where the hardware and software are almost intertwined, and there’s a need for low-level support at the software level.
Because of this, as you search for a C++ developer for your software development project, it’s important to make sure they have all the needed C++ knowledge and skills to execute these functions effectively. Fortunately, you can find plenty of highly qualified freelance C++ developers on Guru!
