Very New to C++

Hello I am very very new to C++
I am currently reading a book called
"Sams teach yourself C++ in 24 hours"
And now I am stuck on like, the second program you are told to program.

It's called the "calculator program"

Code:

#include <iostream>

int add(int x, int y)
{
    //add the numbers x and y together and return the sum
      std::cout << "Running calculator ...\n";
      return (x+y);
}


int main()
{
       /* this program calls an add() function to add two different
       sets of numbers togethor and display the results. The
       add() function doesn't do anything unless it is called by
       a line in the main() function. */
    std::cout << "what is 867 + 5309?\n";
    std::cout << "the sum is " << add(867, 5309) << "\n\n";
    std::cout << "what is 777 + 9311?\n";
    std::cout << "the sum is " << add(777, 9311) << "\n\n";
    return 0;
}

The purpose of the lesson was to teach you about functions and writing comments in your code.

So i write as it has it in the book and try to compile and run it.

But my program, (DEC C++) says there is a syntax error before the ":" on line 6

and i'm just so very confused, I barely understand what the book has to teach me already. And now an unknown error. All very disconcerting.
I really reallly want to learn how to write in C++ but yeah, i'm so lost.

O_o

There is no syntax error in the code you posted.

I barely understand what the book has to teach me already.

Let me lay it down for you: you can't learn any programming language in "24 hours", "7 days", "28 days", "30 days", or any such variation.

It takes time and effort to learn a new thing.

That said, the book is terrible. (I advise you to invest in "Accelerated C++".)

However, you deserve part of the blame. You are obviously moving too fast for yourself.

Slow down, reread the earlier bits, and above all else practice a lot.

Soma

Originally Posted by phantomotap

There is no syntax error in the code you posted.

is it possible that this "DEC C++" compiler is so old that it predates the standard? if this is an alpha or a vax, it's entirely possible that the C++ compiler on this platform knows nothing of namespaces.

> Let me lay it down for you: you can't learn any programming language in "24 hours", "7 days", "28 days", "30 days", or any such variation.
Except for this one -> Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years

> But my program, (DEC C++) says there is a syntax error before the ":" on line 6
Did you manage to make this compile and run?

Code:

#include <iostream>

int main()
{
    std::cout << "Hello World\n";
    return 0;
}

If you did, I think it's worth trying to rename your 'add' function to be something a little less generic like 'addTwoNumbers'

> But my program, (DEC C++) says there is a syntax error before the ":" on line 6
Now, is this a typo for DEV-C++, or are you really programming on some old big-iron from Digital Equipment Corporation

Yes, that was a typo, I'm using DEV-C++
And I got the program to run, but now it runs, stays open for a whole second, and then automatically closes

I'm trying to put in a

cin.get();

to keep it open, but every time i try it responds with

`cin' undeclared (first use this function)

And now im confused
again

cin.get();

to keep it open, but every time i try it responds with

`cin' undeclared (first use this function)

Notice how you put std:: in front of your cout calls.

Try std::cin

I ran your program on Visual Studio 2012 and it went fine, so I'm guessing your compiler might be a bit outdated or something.
I suggest downloading a new IDE. Alot of them are free
Your code works just fine.