Getting Started with Modern C++ #1: Introduction to Modern C++ and the Development Environment

Welcome to the first post in our “Getting Started with Modern C++” series. If you’re completely new to C++ or returning after some time away, this post will help you understand what “Modern C++“ really means and how to set up your environment to start coding right away.

Why Modern C++?

Over the past decade, the C++ language has evolved significantly with standards like C++11, C++14, C++17, C++20, and beyond. Each new standard brings improved features, better performance, and safer programming practices. Collectively, these features are often referred to as “Modern C++.” Here are a few reasons to embrace it:

• Simplicity and Safety: Features like auto type deduction, smart pointers, and range-based for loops make code easier to read and less error-prone.
• Performance: Modern C++ allows you to write code that’s both high-level and efficient, leveraging templates, move semantics, and compile-time evaluation. For an overview of performance considerations, check out CppCon talks on YouTube.
• Ecosystem Growth: The C++ standard library and available tooling have expanded, making it easier to write robust, portable applications. For more info, see the C++ Standard Library Reference.

Setting Up Your Development Environment

Before writing a single line of code, let’s ensure you have the right tools:

1. Compiler:
   • GCC (GNU Compiler Collection): Common on Linux and available for macOS/Windows.
   • Clang: Known for its fast compilation and excellent error messages, available on multiple platforms.
   • MSVC (Microsoft Visual C++): Comes with Visual Studio on Windows.
   Each of these compilers supports Modern C++ standards, but always check that you’re using the latest version. To get started with GCC on Linux, you might find helpful YouTube tutorials on setting up GCC.
2. Integrated Development Environment (IDE) or Editor:
   While you can code in a text editor and compile via the command line, a good IDE provides code completion, debugging tools, and project management features.
   • Visual Studio
   • CLion (Cross-platform, CMake-based)
   • VS Code + C++ Extensions (Lightweight, cross-platform)
   For guidance on choosing and setting up an IDE, check out YouTube tutorials on IDE setup.
3. Build Systems and Package Managers:
   Modern C++ often relies on external libraries. Make life easier with tools like:
   • CMake: A cross-platform build system that integrates with various compilers and IDEs.
   • Conan or vcpkg: Package managers to handle external libraries easily.
   For a quick introduction to CMake, watch this YouTube tutorial.

A Simple “Hello, World!” Example

Let’s walk through a basic C++ program to ensure everything works. For more in-depth explanations, you can refer to the C++ Tutorial on cplusplus.com:

#include <iostream>

int main() {
    std::cout << "Hello, World!" << std::endl;
    return 0;
}

How to Compile and Run:

• Using GCC on Linux/macOS:
• g++ -std=c++17 -O2 -Wall -Wextra hello.cpp -o hello ./hello
• Using Clang on macOS/Windows (with appropriate tooling):
• clang++ -std=c++17 -O2 -Wall -Wextra hello.cpp -o hello ./hello
• Using MSVC on Windows (Developer Command Prompt):
• cl /std:c++17 /EHsc hello.cpp hello.exe

For more detailed instructions on compilation, consider watching a brief YouTube guide to compiling C++.

If you see “Hello, World!” printed on your terminal, your environment is ready.

Next Steps

You now have a high-level understanding of what Modern C++ is and how to get started. In the next post, we’ll explore C++ fundamentals—data types, variables, and basic input/output—laying a strong foundation before moving into more advanced features. Meanwhile, you can learn more about C++ basics through The Cherno’s Modern C++ Playlist on YouTube.