One of the most popular uses of C++ is to develop extensive software infrastructure and resource-constrained applications. Programmers can adjust their code to run an application more efficiently in any environment, even with limited hardware space or power. Such C++ applications run quickly and efficiently on a variety of devices, which also makes it the perfect choice in some areas.
What are the main areas where C++ is most preferred and indispensable?
Operating systems
Most operating systems such as Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, Symbian OS and even mobile operating systems such as iOS are developed using C++. In general, operating systems should be fast and efficient in handling system resources. The fact that C++ is a high-speed programming language with a wide range of system-level features makes it more than an ideal choice.
Did you know?
C++ was developed because of the need to analyze distributed applications on the UNIX operating system, which was the first operating system created using a programming language like C.
Games
C++ is one of the most widely used programming languages in game development. Games where graphics are an integral part of their structure use C++ and its high speed. Games require many resource-intensive functions to facilitate multiplayer sessions. C++ can make optimal use of resources, provide multiplayer networking, and is well suited to overcome the complexity of 3D games. That’s why it’s also among the top choices in gaming circles.
Did you know that?
C++ is used to create popular games like World of Warcraft, Counter-Strike, and engines like the Unreal Engine, as well as consoles like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.
Web browsers
It may sound strange, but your current web browser is probably programmed in C++. It powers the backend services that extract information from databases and translate the code into interactive web pages. Using C++, browsers can run at high speed and minimal latency so that it doesn’t take long for content to appear on our screens.
The most popular web browsers we use today that are developed with C++ are:
- Internet Explorer
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Safari
- Netscape Navigator
- Opera
GUI Based Applications
Did you know that many widely used graphical user interfaces (GUI) and desktop applications are developed with C++ due to its high speed. Some examples are applications on Adobe systems such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and Microsoft’s Win Amp Media Player – all of which were developed using C++.
Database Management System
Here you will also find many popular database management tools that have been developed with C++ – MySQL, Oracle, Postgres and MongoDB are just a few of them. MySQL is the world’s most popular open source database, used by most organizations. These databases are an integral part of major applications created by giants like Google, Netflix, YouTube and Adobe. C++ is ideal for data management due to its features like file handling, high speed, reliability, functions, classes and objects.
Cloud Computing and Distributed Applications
C++ is becoming the automatic choice for cloud storage deployments. This is due to the fact that it is close to a hardware or machine level language and is quite compatible with machines.
This is why large companies that use cloud computing and distributed applications use C++, as it provides multithreading support with which concurrent applications can be built along with tolerance to hardware system load.
Libraries
And although libraries are the last in our class, they are far from the last in C++ usage. The standard C++ library has a wide variety of built-in features. Performance and speed become important for high-level mathematical computations. This is why most libraries use C++ as their primary programming language. C++ is an ideal candidate for a basic programming language that offers libraries of several new and popular high-level libraries, including machine language libraries.
