C++ for Beginners

C++ for Beginners on Breni teaches the language behind games, browsers and high-performance software, including the memory management that other beginner languages hide. Its 8 courses cover setup, types and control flow, functions, arrays and vectors, pointers and memory, classes, inheritance and templates, and modern C++ with a project. Learners finish able to use pointers safely, build classes and write a small game with the STL. Total beginners may prefer Learn to Code first. Pointers come before classes, and each course opens once the one before is complete.

8 courses
10 learning objectives
Level: beginner
Language: English
Price: Subscription, free trial

What you will be able to do

Compile and run C++ programs and fix common compiler errors
Pass values by reference and split a program into header and source files
Use pointers and references and explain the stack and the heap
Build classes with constructors, destructors and operator overloading
Write a function template and use virtual functions for polymorphism
Replace raw pointers with smart pointers and use STL algorithms

Full curriculum

Part 1 · C++ basics

1. Getting Started with C++: First Steps

Write, compile and run a first C++ program. Units, in order: Where C++ is used; Compilers and the build process; Hello World and the main function; Input and output with cin and cout; Setting up a compiler and editor.

— Where C++ Is Used
Discover real world places where fast C++ code runs every day.
- Games and Engines
- Systems and Apps
— Compilers and Build Process
Learn how plain text code becomes a running computer program.
- Source Code Basics
- The Compiler Tool
— Hello World and Main
Write your very first C++ program and run it.
- The Main Function
- Printing Text
— Input and Output
Send data to the screen and get user responses.
- Using Cout
- Using Cin
— Compiler and Editor Setup
Install local tools to write and run code on your computer.
- Choosing an Editor
- Running Locally

2. C++ Types and Control Flow

Use variables, types, conditions and loops in C++. Units, in order: Fundamental types; Constants and auto; if, else and switch; for, while and do-while loops; Type conversions.

3. C++ Functions

Write functions and split code across files. Units, in order: Declaring and defining functions; Pass by value and by reference; Function overloading; Header and source files; Recursion.

Part 2 · Memory

4. Arrays, Strings and Vectors

Store sequences of data safely. Units, in order: C-style arrays; std::string; std::vector; Range-based for loops; Bounds checking and common errors.

5. Pointers and Memory

Explain how C++ manages memory and use pointers safely. Units, in order: Memory addresses; Pointers and dereferencing; References compared with pointers; The stack and the heap; new, delete and memory leaks.

Part 3 · Object-oriented and modern C++

6. Classes and Objects in C++

Build classes with constructors, destructors and encapsulation. Units, in order: Classes and structs; Constructors and destructors; Encapsulation; Operator overloading; RAII: tying resources to object lifetime.

7. Inheritance and Templates

Reuse code with inheritance, virtual functions and templates. Units, in order: Inheritance; Virtual functions and polymorphism; Abstract classes; Function templates; Class templates.

8. Modern C++ and Projects

Use the standard library and modern features in a complete program. Units, in order: Smart pointers; The STL containers; Algorithms such as sort and find; Lambdas; Building a text-based game.

Sample: Getting Started with C++: First Steps

The opening tier, (Where C++ Is Used). Discover real world places where fast C++ code runs every day.

Games and Engines

See how C++ powers fast video games and big game engines.

Systems and Apps

Learn how C++ builds operating systems and desktop software.

Questions about C++ for Beginners

Is C++ hard to learn for beginners?

It is harder than Python because you manage memory yourself. The path gives pointers and memory a full course before moving on.

Should I learn C or C++ first?

Most beginners can start with C++ directly. This path teaches modern C++ and explains the older C-style features as they come up.

What is C++ used for?

Games, game engines, browsers, operating systems, embedded devices and trading systems, where speed and control over memory matter.

How long does it take to learn C++?

The basics take a few weeks of steady practice, and mastery takes much longer. Breni lessons take about three minutes each.