C++ Source Code to Executable | Compilation, Linking, Pre Processing | Build Process Explained

TL;DR

Learn the step-by-step process of creating and executing a C++ program, from writing the code to generating an executable file.

Transcript

Hi this is Anil from LearningLad and welcome to another C++ video. In this video we will see all the steps involved from writing a C++ program to generating an executable file and then executing that generated executable file. Now before getting started, this video is for beginners and i have a simplified a lot of things in this video. let's get st... Read More

Key Insights

• 💻 C++ is a general-purpose programming language used to write computer programs.
• 📁 Source files (.cpp) contain the implementation of features, while header files (.h or .hpp) contain their declarations.
• 🍻 The build process involves preprocessing, compiling, assembling, linking, and loading to create and execute an executable file.
• 🤩 Preprocessor, compiler, assembler, linker, and loader are the key programs involved in the build and execution process.
• 📚 Libraries, both standard and external, provide additional features that can be included in a C++ program.
• 👨‍💻 The output of an executed program may vary based on the correctness of the source code.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the difference between source files and header files in C++?

Source files (.cpp) contain the implementation of features, while header files (.h or .hpp) contain the declarations of features without the implementation. Header files are included in source files to access the features they declare.

Q: What is the purpose of the preprocessor in the build process?

The preprocessor cleans up code, removes unnecessary spaces and comments, and includes the content of header files in the source code. It generates an intermediate file (.ii) containing the preprocessed code.

Q: How does the linker contribute to the build process?

The linker takes object files generated by the compiler and links them together, along with the required libraries, to create an executable file. If any libraries are missing, the linker will produce an error.

Q: What is the purpose of the loader in the execution of a program?

The loader loads the executable file into the main memory (RAM) along with any required libraries. The CPU then executes the program, and the loader returns the output.

Key Insights:

• C++ is a general-purpose programming language used to write computer programs.
• Source files (.cpp) contain the implementation of features, while header files (.h or .hpp) contain their declarations.
• The build process involves preprocessing, compiling, assembling, linking, and loading to create and execute an executable file.
• Preprocessor, compiler, assembler, linker, and loader are the key programs involved in the build and execution process.
• Libraries, both standard and external, provide additional features that can be included in a C++ program.
• The output of an executed program may vary based on the correctness of the source code.
• Toolsets and IDEs streamline the process of creating and executing C++ programs.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The C++ programming language is used to write computer programs, and the code written in C++ is called the source code.

• Source files in C++ have the extension .cpp, while header files have the extension .h or .hpp. Header files contain declarations of features, while source files contain implementations.

• The build process involves preprocessing the code, compiling it to generate assembly code, assembling it to generate object code, linking the object files to create an executable file, and finally loading and executing the program.