Getting Started
A computer cannot understand
our language that we use in our day to day conversations, and likewise, we
cannot understand the binary language that the computer uses to do it’s tasks.
It is therefore necessary for us to write instructions in some specially
defined language like C++ which is like natural language and after converting
with the help of compiler the computer can understand it.
C++ Compiler
A C++ compiler is itself a
computer program which’s only job is to convert the C++ program from our form
to a form the computer can read and execute. The original C++ program is called
the “source code”, and the resulting compiled code produced by the compiler
is usually called an “object file”.
Before compilation the preprocessor
performs preliminary operations on C++ source files. Preprocessed form of
the source code is sent to compiler.
After compilation stage object
files are combined with predefined libraries by a linker, sometimes
called a binder, to produce the final complete file that can be executed by the
computer. A library is a collection of pre-compiled “object code” that provides
operations that are done repeatedly by many computer programs.
Integrated Development Environment
Above Figure illustrates the
process of translating a C++ source file into an executable file. You can
perform entire process of invoking the preprocessor, compiler, and linker with
a single action by using Integrated Development environment. These environments
consist of a text editor, compiler, debugger, and other utilities integrated
into a package with a single set of menus. Preprocessing, compiling, linking,
and even executing a program is done by selecting a single item from a menu.
Following Figure shows a screen
from the Microsoft Visual C++ IDE.
Read Creating and running a
program using Microsoft Visual C++ Express Edition
The best way
to start learning a programming language is by writing a program. In next blog,
we'll discuss a program that displays message on monitor.
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