two questions

[concerro]

1. When do I use {} brackets to close things off. I never know when to use them.

2. Can microsoft Express c++ be used to modify existing programs such as video games.if so how do I modify an executable?

[Mats]

1: Use braces to inclose statements. After if/while/else/if else/ function declarations / class declarations ... The first brace opens the statement, the 2nd closes it. e.g.

if(x == 1)
{//Open statement.
//Do some action(s)
} //Close statement

while(x > y)
{
//Do some action(s)
}

int main()
{
//write a program
}

You don't have to use them for statements that are only one line long, but it is good practice to do so, as it makes your code a little more readable.

2) Only if you can get hold of the source code and the appropriate libraries. In short, you cannot modify an .exe file.

[concerro]

I have one more question. How do I keep the console window open? Even if I write something allowing user input the console window closes as soon as the input is entered.

[Mats]

One way to do it is to call system("PAUSE"); before your return 0.

[LB]

Don't use that. This code will suffice:

cin.sync();
cin.ignore();

Just press enter to close.

If you want to be safe, use this:

cin.clear();
cin.sync();
cin.ignore(std::numeric_limits<std::streamsize>::max());

[Athar]

Even the second variant isn't all that safe, though.
Consider:

int i;
cin >> i;
cin.clear();
cin.sync();
cin.ignore(std::numeric_limits<std::streamsize>::max(),'\n');

That still won't keep the window open (although it depends on the standard library implementation).

[Aramil of Elixia]

what about cin.get()? and you forgot about structs and do while loops

[Athar]

Same for cin.get(). It'll only work when the input buffer is completely empty, while the other variant can handle characters besides newlines.
Edit: see here for a fully working solution: http://www.daniweb.com/software-development/cpp/tutorials/90228

[LB]

Athar, what? What is wrong with it? The cin.sync(); gets the new line from the cin >> i; so there should be no problem.