**Course Title:** Modern C++ Programming: Mastering C++ with Best Practices and Advanced Techniques **Section Title:** Introduction to C++ and Environment Setup **Topic:** Basic syntax: Variables, data types, operators, and control structures **Introduction** In this topic, we will delve into the fundamental syntax of C++, covering variables, data types, operators, and control structures. Understanding these concepts is crucial for writing efficient and effective C++ programs. By the end of this topic, you will have a solid grasp of the basic syntax and be able to apply it in real-world scenarios. **Variables** Variables are used to store and manipulate data in a program. In C++, you must declare a variable before using it. The syntax for declaring a variable is: ``` type variable_name; ``` Here, `type` is the data type of the variable, and `variable_name` is the name given to the variable. **Example 1: Declaring and Initializing a Variable** ```cpp int main() { int x; // Declare a variable of type int x = 10; // Assign a value to the variable std::cout << x << std::endl; // Print the value of the variable return 0; } ``` **Data Types** C++ provides a wide range of built-in data types, including: * Integer: `int` * Floating-point: `float`, `double`, `long double` * Boolean: `bool` * Character: `char` * Void: `void` **Example 2: Using Different Data Types** ```cpp int main() { int x = 10; // Integer char c = 'A'; // Character float f = 3.14; // Floating-point number bool b = true; // Boolean value std::cout << x << std::endl; std::cout << c << std::endl; std::cout << f << std::endl; std::cout << b << std::endl; return 0; } ``` **Operators** C++ provides various operators for performing arithmetic, comparison, logical, and assignment operations. Here are some examples: * Arithmetic operators: + Addition: `+` + Subtraction: `-` + Multiplication: `*` + Division: `/` * Comparison operators: + Equal to: `==` + Not equal to: `!=` + Greater than: `>` + Less than: `<` * Logical operators: + AND: `&&` + OR: `||` + NOT: `!` * Assignment operators: + Assignment: `=` + Additive assignment: `+=` + Subtractive assignment: `-=` **Example 3: Using Operators** ```cpp int main() { int x = 10; int y = 5; int sum = x + y; // Arithmetic operator bool isEqual = x == y; // Comparison operator bool andCond = x > 5 && y < 10; // Logical operator x += 5; // Assignment operator std::cout << sum << std::endl; std::cout << isEqual << std::endl; std::cout << andCond << std::endl; std::cout << x << std::endl; return 0; } ``` **Control Structures** Control structures are used to control the flow of a program's execution. C++ provides several types of control structures, including: * Conditional statements: `if`, `if-else`, `switch` * Loops: `while`, `for` * Jump statements: `break`, `continue`, `return` **Example 4: Using Control Structures** ```cpp int main() { int x = 10; if (x > 5) { // Conditional statement std::cout << "x is greater than 5" << std::endl; } for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) { // Loop std::cout << i << std::endl; } return 0; } ``` **Conclusion** In this topic, we have covered the basic syntax of C++, including variables, data types, operators, and control structures. These concepts are fundamental to writing efficient and effective C++ programs. Practice using these concepts to solidify your understanding. For further learning, we recommend the following resources: * [cppreference.com](https://en.cppreference.com/w/): A comprehensive online reference for C++. * [The C++ Programming Language](https://www.stroustrup.com/4th.html) by Bjarne Stroustrup: A book that provides an in-depth introduction to C++. If you have any questions or need help, please leave a comment below. In the next topic, we will cover built-in data types and structures in C++, including arrays, strings, and pointers. **Exercise** * Write a program that uses a `for` loop to calculate the sum of numbers from 1 to 10. * Write a program that uses a `switch` statement to print the day of the week based on the input number (1-7). * Write a program that uses an `if-else` statement to print whether a given number is positive, negative, or zero.