Hello, C++: Your First Program

This is the first post in a series about basic C++. Every serious C++ journey starts with one small program that prints a line of text.

Why C++?#

C++ is a compiled, statically typed, general-purpose language that gives you direct control over memory while staying expressive. It powers operating systems, game engines, browsers, databases, and high-performance applications. Learning it teaches you how computers actually work.

Install a compiler#

To run C++ you need a compiler. On Linux or Windows with WSL, install GCC:

sudo apt install g++ # Debian / Ubuntu

bash

On macOS, install Xcode Command Line Tools:

xcode-select --install

bash

Verify it works:

g++ --version

bash

Your first program#

Create a file named hello.cpp:

hello.cpp

#include <iostream>

int main() {
    std::cout << "Hello, C++!\n";
    return 0;
}

cpp

Compile and run#

g++ -std=c++17 -Wall -o hello hello.cpp
./hello

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Output:

Hello, C++!

text

What each part does#

#include <iostream> — brings in the input/output stream library so std::cout works.
int main() — every C++ program starts executing from main. It must exist exactly once.
std::cout << — prints text to the console. \n is a newline.
return 0; — signals that the program finished successfully.
-std=c++17 — uses the C++17 standard; -Wall enables useful warnings.

Try changing the message, adding a second std::cout line, or using std::endl. Then compile again. The cycle of edit, compile, run, and observe is how you learn C++.

Conclusion#

You have compiled and run your first C++ program. Next in this series: variables and data types.

Why C++?#

Install a compiler#

Your first program#

Compile and run#

What each part does#

Conclusion#

References#