C++ is a statically-typed language, which means, you must specify the type of each variable during variable declaration.

In the above code snippet, we have concepts that resemble certain aspects of web development that might feel familiar. Just like in JavaScript, we use variables in C++ to store data. However, C++ is statically typed, so we need to declare the type of variable before we use it.

The string keyword is used for string variable declarations, a similar concept in JavaScript. The variable webFramework is assigned the value of React.js, and favoriteAI is assigned OpenAI.

Moreover, the cout statement is used for output, resembles console.log() in JavaScript. In that line, we're essentially logging: 'My favorite web development framework is React.js and my favorite AI is OpenAI'. Even though the syntax is different, the paradigms of storing and outputting data are quite similar.

Hence, even though you're coming from a web development background, you'll find familiar concepts in C++, albeit with a few syntactical differences.

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#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main() {

  string webFramework = "React.js";

  string favoriteAI = "OpenAI";

  cout << "My favorite web development framework is " << webFramework << " and my favorite AI is " << favoriteAI << endl;

  return 0;

}

C++11 brought many novelties to the language, and few of them had a significant impact in how modern C++ code is written. One such feature is the introduction of initializer list. This feature can serve as a bridge when coming from a language like JavaScript where you can create and initialize an array or object at the same time. For example, in the provided code, we initialized a vector in a similar way you would do with an array in JavaScript.

Another influential feature of C++11 is the range-based 'for' loop, which allows you to iterate over collections like vectors, arrays, etc. This is seen in the same code example, and you can relate it to a 'forEach' loop in JavaScript. The 'auto' keyword, which automatically determines the correct type, is a further convenience, comparable to the way JavaScript handles variable types.

Thus, some of the new features in C++11 can make the transition from languages like JavaScript easier and coding in C++ a bit more intuitive.

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#include <iostream>

#include <vector>

using namespace std;

int main() {

  // Initialization of data structures

  vector<int> myVector = {1, 2, 3, 4};

  for(auto num: myVector) {

    cout << num << endl;

  }

}

The C++14 standard made several enhancements to the language to make it more efficient and easier to use.

One of the biggest improvements that come with the C++14 update is the introduction of generic lambdas. In earlier versions of C++, lambdas had been there, but they had limitations. In C++14, these lambdas are allowed to have 'auto' type parameters, making them generic and capable of accepting arguments of any type.

For example, the following is a simple generic lambda that accepts two parameters of any data type and returns the sum:

In AI and finance projects, where mathematical computations and algorithm efficiency are of paramount importance, such enhancements matter a lot.

There are other several minor improvements and features introduced in C++14. Among such, return type deduction for normal functions was a welcome addition. Before C++14, 'auto' was limited to lambda expressions, but with C++14, 'auto' could now be used to deduce the return type of all functions, increasing code flexibility and maintainability.

In the next, we'll dive into examples of using these features and enhancements in code.

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#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

​

int main() {

    auto add = [](auto x, auto y) { return x + y; };

    cout << add(10, 5) << endl;     // outputs: 15

    cout << add(2.5, 3.5) << endl;   // outputs: 6.0

}

The C++17 standard introduced some significant improvements to the language. Online we are going to discuss a couple of features that can be useful in various projects especially those related to our reader's interest in Computer Science, AI, and finance.

To start with, C++17 introduced if and switch with initializers. This feature offers more compact code by allowing a variable to be initialized in the condition of an if statement or a switch statement.

This is very useful in web-based applications as it enables optimization of code, ensuring that complex client-server interactions perform quickly and efficiently.

Another significant feature is the introduction of the std::optional which provides a way to represent optional values – i.e., values that may or may not be present. This can be extremely useful for AI algorithms, where certain inputs may occasionally be absent, but the program should still function optimally.

In finance applications, where precision and speed are paramount, these features enable faster processing and more predictable, reliable results.

In the next section, we will illustrate the use of these features in modern C++.

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#include <iostream>

#include <optional>

using namespace std;

​

int main() {

    int a = 1;

    int b = 2;

    if (int c = a + b; c > 2) {

        std::cout << 'computed value is larger than 2' << std::endl;

    } else {

        std::cout << 'computed value is not larger than 2' << std::endl;

    }

​

    std::optional<int> optionalVal = 1;

    if(optionalVal.has_value()) {

        std::cout << 'optionalVal has a value of: ' << optionalVal.value() << std::endl;

    } else {

        std::cout << 'optionalVal has no value' << std::endl;

    }

​

    return 0;

}

Looking ahead to C++20, we have some exciting features coming up, particularly useful for our reader's deep interest in AI and finance. One such feature includes the introduction of the std::format library, which provides robust text formatting capabilities similar to those provided by printf, but in a simpler and more type-safe way.

This is a game-changer, especially when working with large datasets in AI or finance, as it allows for more readable and maintainable code.

A simple example is as follows:

1#include <iostream>
2#include <format>
3using namespace std;
4int main() {
5  // C++20 introduces the format library for text formatting
6  string s = format("Hello, {}!", "World");
7  cout << s;
8  return 0;
9}

Here, std::format function generates a new string, replacing the {} with the given parameter. This makes the code more readable and easier to maintain, thereby making life easier for coders in AI and finance industries.

In the next screen, we will look at more such features and their implications in data-driven sectors like AI and finance.

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#include <iostream>

#include <format>

using namespace std;

int main() {

  // C++20 introduces the format library for text formatting

  string s = format("Hello, {}!", "World");

  cout << s;

  return 0;

}

Now let's dive into Practical Examples: Using Modern C++ Features. Remember, our objective is to study real-world examples to understand the use of these features in practice.

One of the most recognized and useful features in modern C++ is the auto keyword for automatic type deduction, and the initialization of vector in C++17.

The auto keyword in C++, introduced in C++11, allows automatic type deduction. This becomes particularly useful when dealing with complex data types whose declaration can be cumbersome and affect the readability of the code. Using this keyword, the compiler automatically deduces the datatype of the variable at compile time.

We use auto in conjunction with the range-based for loop, another modern C++ feature that simplifies traversals over containers like vectors, lists, arrays etc. It brings code closer to the high-level abstraction, making it more readable and maintainable. It's extensively used in AI for operations on large datasets.

Let's take a look at how the auto keyword and range-based loops are used in practice for traversing a vector:

1#include <iostream>
2#include <vector>
3using namespace std;
4int main() {
5  // Initializing a Vector in C++17 Way
6  vector<int> v = {20, 30, 40, 50};
7  // Usage of `auto` keyword for automatic type deduction
8  for (const auto &i : v) {
9    cout << i << ' ';
10  } // Prints: 20 30 40 50
11  return 0;
12}

In this example, the datatype of i is automatically deduced to be int by the compiler, thanks to the auto keyword. The & is used here to create a reference to avoid unnecessary copies of vector elements, and the const keyword ensures that we don't accidentally modify vector elements. This highlights the practical usage of modern C++ features in writing efficient and readable code.

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#include <iostream>

#include <vector>

using namespace std;

int main() {

  // Initializing a Vector in C++17 Way

  vector<int> v = {20, 30, 40, 50};

  // Usage of `auto` keyword for automatic type deduction

  for (const auto &i : v) {

    cout << i << ' ';

  } // Prints: 20 30 40 50

  return 0;

}

Having surveyed the landscape of Modern C++, it's now clear why it stands as a predominant language in many disciplines like finance, artificial intelligence, and web development. The evolution from C++11 to C++20 has brought a range of powerful features that improved the usability, efficiency, and performance of the language. The auto keyword, range-based for loops, and the simplified initialization of complex containers are only the tip of the iceberg, setting the bar high for clean and efficient code.

Modern C++ is not just about the new features. It’s about a change in style of programming to enhance code readability, reliability, and performance.

For instance, imagine a web development scenario where a server-side component is written in C++. Utilizing the auto keyword could enable efficient handling of the various types of request data, thus simplifying the process. In an AI model written in C++, using range-based for loops to traverse large datasets can make the code significantly faster and easier to maintain.

Embracing Modern C++ equips you with the tools and the mindset to tackle significant and complex tasks in various domains. As you continue in your learning journey, consider the broader implications of these features and how they impact different aspects of your future projects.

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#include <iostream>

#include <vector>

using namespace std;

​

int main () {

  // Initializing a Vector

  vector<int> v = {20, 30, 40, 50};

  // Using `auto` & range-based loops for efficient traversing

  for (const auto &i: v) {

    cout << i << ' ';

  } // Prints: 20 30 40 50

  return 0;

}