Example explained
Line 1: #include <iostream> is a header file library that lets us work with input
and output objects, such as cout (used in line 5). Header files add functionality
to C++ programs.
Line 2: using namespace std means that we can use names for objects and
variables from the standard library.
Don't worry if you don't understand how #include <iostream> and using
namespace std works. Just think of it as something that (almost) always
appears in your program.
Line 3: A blank line. C++ ignores white space. But we use it to make the code
more readable.
Line 4: Another thing that always appear in a C++ program is int main(). This is
called a function. Any code inside its curly brackets {} will be executed.
Line 5: cout (pronounced "see-out") is an object used together with the
insertion operator (<<) to output/print text. In our example, it will output
"Hello World!".
Note: C++ is case-sensitive: "cout" and "Cout" has different meaning.
Note: Every C++ statement ends with a semicolon ;.
Note: The body of int main() could also been written as:
int main () { cout << "Hello World! "; return 0; }
Remember: The compiler ignores white spaces. However, multiple lines
makes the code more readable.
Line 6: return 0; ends the main function.
Line 7: Do not forget to add the closing curly bracket } to actually end the
main function.
Omitting Namespace
You might see some C++ programs that runs without the standard namespace
library. The using namespace std line can be omitted and replaced with the
std keyword, followed by the :: operator for some objects:
Example
#include <iostream>
int main() {
std::cout << "Hello World!";
return 0;
It is up to you if you want to include the standard namespace library or not.
