Getting started with C++

C++ is a widely used general programming language. If you want to get started using C++ on Windows download Code Blocks here, specifically the file named, codeblocks-17.12mingw-setup.exe. The install should be nice and easy.

In the file menu open an empty new file. In the new file post the following code:

#include <iostream> using namespace std;

int main() { string s1, s2, result;

cout << "Enter string s1: "; getline (cin, s1);

cout << "Enter string s2: "; getline (cin, s2);

result = s1 + s2;

cout << "Resultant String = "<< result;

return 0; }

. . . which can be found here. This code can be used to join together two different strings.

Save the file with the .cpp extension.

Then go to Build . . . Run

You will be prompted to join together separate strings like this:

Microsoft Visual Studio

Consider downloading Microsoft Visual Studio to use as a code editor for C++, Visual Basic, and other languages. The software can help you find and correct errors in code that you are attempting to execute. A good example of a visual basic code run in Visual Studio is demonstrated by KRob314to636 in this YouTube posting. The code he enters into Visual Studio is available here. Follow the instructions in the video to create a form, and then right click and select 'View Code'. Paste in the code and you should see how it needs to be corrected by changing the names of the text boxes to match those used in your form.

The code creates a little program that both collects new user name and password pairs, and then authenticates subsequent attempts to log in. It does this by generating hash values that referenced each time a password is entered. Hash values will appear in text files saved at C:\Users\[user name]\Documents\Visual Studio 2015\Projects\[projectname]\[projectname]\bin\Debug

There are lots of useful C++ and Visual Basic codes posted to the web that you can make use. Visual Studio is a great tool to make them work.

Visual C ++

For another way to run C++ code, in addition to the one described in last night's tip, try installing Visual C++ Build Tools which are available here, https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms235639.aspx at the link named Microsoft Visual C++ Build Tools 2015. The instructions on this page will show you how to run C ++ code .cpp files in Windows command prompt. In this example we're going to run a C ++ code called sortstring.cpp which can be found in this online library. After the software is installed, you just need to follow these steps:

1. In the Programs menu go tothe Visual C++ Build Tools folder, the Windows Desktop Command Prompt Tools subfolder and select Visual C++ 2015 x86 Native Build Tools Command Prompt.

2. Go ahead and create a folder at the root of your C drive named 'hello' and save a .cpp file there.

3. Go back to the command prompt and type in

cd c:\hello

to change the directory to the folder containing your cpp file.

4. Now type in

cl /HEsc sortstring.cpp

5. This should generate an executable file in the source folder. Now at the command prompt type the name of the C++code file, without the extension, and press enter.

6. The program created by the code should run. In this example, the user is prompted to enter a total number of strings, followed by each string, and the code automatically sorts them in order.