what is a .cpp file
A .cpp file is a source code file written in the C++ programming language. It contains the implementation of C++ functions and classes. Here is an explanation of each step involved in the process:
Writing the code: The first step is to write the C++ code in a text editor or an integrated development environment (IDE). The code can include functions, classes, variables, and other programming constructs.
Saving the file: Once the code is written, it needs to be saved with a .cpp extension. This extension indicates that the file contains C++ source code.
Compiling the code: The next step is to compile the .cpp file using a C++ compiler. The compiler translates the human-readable C++ code into machine-readable instructions that can be executed by the computer's processor.
Linking: After the code is successfully compiled, the linker combines the compiled code with any necessary libraries and generates an executable file. The linker resolves references to functions and variables defined in other source files or libraries.
Running the program: The final step is to run the compiled program. This can be done by executing the generated executable file. The program will then perform the tasks specified in the C++ code.
Please note that the above steps are a general overview of the process and may vary depending on the specific development environment and tools used.