Intermediate ~18 hours 25 lessons Free

C++ Tutorial

Performance and systems programming

Master C++ with 25 free lessons. Pointers, classes, templates, STL, and modern C++ — the foundation for competitive programming and systems development.

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What you'll learn

  • C++ syntax and pointers
  • Classes and OOP
  • Templates and generics
  • STL containers and algorithms
  • Modern C++11/14/17 features

Prerequisites

  • Patience with low-level details
  • A C++ compiler (g++, clang, or online)

Why learn C++?

  • C++ is the language of choice for competitive programming
  • Used in game engines, browsers, embedded systems, finance
  • Teaches memory management — invaluable everywhere
  • High-paying systems and performance roles

Course Curriculum

25 lessons · ~18 hours · self-paced

  1. 1

    Introduction to C++

    What is C++?
  2. 2

    Installing C++ & Setup

    Which Compiler Should You Install?
  3. 3

    Variables & Data Types

    What a Variable Actually Is
  4. 4

    Operators

    Arithmetic, and the Integer Division Trap
  5. 5

    Strings

    Why std::string Exists
  6. 6

    User Input & Output

    Streams, Not Print Statements
  7. 7

    Conditionals

    if / else if / else, and Why Order Matters
  8. 8

    Loops

    The for Loop, Taken Apart
  9. 9

    Arrays

    What an Array Is in Memory
  10. 10

    Functions

    A Function Is a Contract
  11. 11

    Pointers

    Addresses, and the Two Operators
  12. 12

    References

    A Second Name for the Same Object
  13. 13

    Structures

    The Problem Structs Solve
  14. 14

    Classes & Objects

    A Class Is a Type That Protects a Rule
  15. 15

    Constructors & Destructors

    The Special Member Functions
  16. 16

    Inheritance

    Inheritance Means "Is A"
  17. 17

    Polymorphism

    The Problem Polymorphism Solves
  18. 18

    Encapsulation

    Encapsulation Is About Invariants, Not Secrecy
  19. 19

    Templates

    Writing the Same Function Once
  20. 20

    Exception Handling

    Why Exceptions Exist
  21. 21

    File Handling

    A File Is Just Another Stream
  22. 22

    STL Containers

    Choosing the Right Container
  23. 23

    STL Algorithms

    Iterators: Why Every Algorithm Takes Two Arguments
  24. 24

    C++ Best Practices

    Let the Standard Library Do the Work
  25. 25

    Final Project: Build a C++ App

    What You Are Building

From the Blog

Guides and tutorials related to C++.

Tutorial

C++ STL Guide: Containers, Iterators and Complexity

12 min read
Tutorial

C++ Smart Pointers: unique_ptr, shared_ptr, weak_ptr

12 min read
Comparison

References vs Pointers in C++: Which to Use When

11 min read
Read more on the blog

Ready to start?

All 25 lessons are free. No credit card. No sign-up required to read.

Start with lesson 1: Introduction to C++
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