When I first started learning C++, I found it quite challenging. The programs I spent a lot of effort writing were either just simple arithmetic calculations or displaying a few numbers and letters in a dark console window. Compared to those cool games and powerful software, they seemed insignificant. At that time, I thought to myself, what can I actually do with C++? It felt useless.
— Blue Bridge Preliminary Contest Problem
However, as I learned more, I realized that using programming to solve these seemingly simple math problems is actually quite interesting. The key to programming is not just to find the answer, but to figure out the steps to solve the problem using a program. This requires thinking and logical reasoning. It’s like building with blocks; each block is simple, but to construct a beautiful castle, you need to think carefully.
In fact, programming languages are just tools, similar to the pencils we use for writing and drawing. Their purpose is to help us solve problems. You might feel that they don’t solve any real problems right now, but that’s because you haven’t used them to tackle other types of issues. The distance between simple math problems and practical applications is not as far as you might think. For many beginners in programming, the tasks they handle are often straightforward and logical, resembling those math problems.
— Baidu Screenshot
In universities in our country, C++ is usually taught as an introductory programming course. However, the teachers do not expect you to create anything particularly impressive after completing it; rather, they hope you will grasp the basic concepts of programming and understand how programs run. C++ is like a key that opens the door to the world of programming. Once this door is open, you will encounter many other ‘keys’, such as C#, Java, and others, each with its own uses. Moreover, there are many similarities among these programming languages, making it much easier to learn another once you have mastered one.
If you find solving math problems uninteresting and want to try more engaging projects, you can look for some open-source game projects online and develop games using C++. This will not only enhance your programming skills but also allow you to experience the joy of programming. Furthermore, C++ is a crucial language as it forms the foundation for many other programming languages. Just like laying a foundation before building a house, mastering C++ will make learning other languages much easier in the future.
Once you have mastered at least one programming language, you will find that learning new languages is not as difficult as it seems. Programming languages are merely tools; the key is to use them to solve problems. So, don’t be afraid to learn new languages. Although the learning process can be a bit tough, the sense of achievement you feel when you truly master a language and can create many interesting things with it is absolutely fantastic!