Thread: For beginner: How to start first c++ programming(Guide)

1. Download and install microsoft visual C++ studio 2008 express edition. It is free
2. Open visual studio c++ 2008
3. Go to File ->New Project ->
4. In project types, set it to win32, set win32 console application in "visual studio installed templates".
5. Enter the folder name and press enter.
6. Click Next , check in console application, tick empty project, don't touch the others, click finish.
7. Right click in source file folder Add -> new item
8. Go select c++ file and enter "main" as the c++ file
9. Your c++ first program is ready to go.
10. Code this

Code:

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main()
{
         cout << "I am a c++ beginner." << endl;
         system ("pause");
         return 0;
}

11. Press Ctrl + F5 in your keyboard
12. Output should show this.

I am c++ beginner.
Press any key to continue . . ._
13. The end

in the context of a windows computer, this is technically correct, but using system("pause") is non-portable, and beginners in C++ should be taught the way that will work everywhere, and move on to OS-specific features later. the standard-compliant, portable alternative is std::cin.get().

there are already lots of tutorials for C++ beginners - many of them are on this site. your tutorial does nothing but dump a block of code in the user's lap and say "this is a C++ program." it doesn't do anything to explain what each line does, as a good tutorial should. at most, this tutorial explains how to start a win32 C++ project in visual studio. the default project template likely has a basic program like this that is generated automatically when the project is created.