How many words are in the C++ language

[rocketboy9000]

3

[much29]

What I really want to ask is embedded in the history of C++ which is out of my field. Computer science such of bizarre world, it's like universe within universe. No wonder they make Thirteenth Floor. I have to mastering in which level we are talking about, then go up or down to the other level.

Already know how to use C++ for my own need. From my point of view as user, when I used CSS I use set of command along with the variable for command. These command, the variable and the object name that I use, I view as "words" in CSS languange. That way, meaning of word in here is word in user language.

In C++ sort of different way, because command it self has different meaning in C++. Anything that I need to know about C++ can be summarized in several page discussing

Program Structure
Executable Statements
Function Definition and Call
Key Words, Reserved Words
Operators Defined in C++
Operator Precedence
Expressions
Basic Types
Declarations
Object Declarations
Exceptions
Templates
Lexical Entities
Preprocessor Directives
Some Pragmas defined C++
Standard Library Defined in C++

That include everything in Reserved Words, Predefined Identifiers, Operators, Operator Precedence, Preprocessor Directives, and everything that defined in C++ Standard Library which I called, "vocabulary" that I will use.

In user level, I think this is the "words" of C++. As user (non computer science engineer) many of us see programing language as truly the language to speak with machine, this is the "words" that will we use to communicate with a computer if C++ compiler install on it. I typed the "words", define identifier as "new words", use correct syntax, compile it, and run the executable file.

Again, it's from user point of view. You all programmer obviously have totally different point of view.

I just wonder as programmer how you will respond to the question

C++ is a language, right. So, how many words are in the C++ language

From what I see, you never define words in formal language, while we user seem to see "words" as what it is. It's a tool for communication and currently I'm talking with the machine.

[hanst99]

http://cs.smu.ca/~porter/csc/ref/cpp_keywords.html

Those are the keywords of C++. The standard functions + Classes + Objects... are... well, many. In fact, too many than I would want to count, and they also vary between different standards.

[much29]

Thanks.

Many, but it's limited, therefore manageable to be learned.

[hanst99]

I suppose. The good thing about C++ is, you don't need to know the names of every single class or function. For example, the stream classes (istream, ifstream, istringstream etc) all pretty much work the same way. You only have to know they are there, and look the rest up in a reference manual. Same with the std algorithms, you don't need to know every single one of them, just learn how they operate, and then if you feel like you could use them check the reference for the std algorithms to see whether there is one you can use.

[sohguanh]

I believe Computer Science is a fairly young discipline in comparison to Engineering discipline. We only have computers in the 1950s (am i correct ?) onwards and mass audience using it in the 60s or 70s ? So trying to understand Computer Science if you are coming from an Engineering discipline can be a hurdle for some people.

I believe nowadays there are a lot of short courses on Introduction to Computer Science to make sure the transition or understanding it is less painful.