C++ Keywords

In C++, keywords are reserved words that have special meaning to the compiler. They are part of the language syntax and cannot be used as variable names, function names, or identifiers.

Example of Keywords

Some commonly used C++ keywords are:

int – used for integer variables
float – used for decimal numbers
double – used for more precise decimal numbers
char – used for single characters
if – used for conditional statements
else – used with if for alternative conditions
for – used for loops
while – used for loops
return – used to return a value from a function
const – used to declare constants
void – indicates no value is returned from a function
switch – used for multiple condition checks
case – used inside switch statements
break – exits loops or switch statements
continue – skips the current iteration in loops
class – used to define a class
public, private, protected – access specifiers in classes

Example Program Using Keywords

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    const int age = 25;   // const is a keyword
    int number = 10;       // int is a keyword

    if(age > 18) {       // if is a keyword
        cout << "Adult"; 
    } else {               // else is a keyword
        cout << "Minor";
    }

    return 0;              // return is a keyword
}

Important Notes

Keywords are case-sensitive. For example, int is valid, but Int is not.
You cannot use keywords as variable names or identifiers.
C++ has around 95 keywords depending on the compiler and C++ standard.

Next Topic

Next, learn about C++ Operators.