Should Web Developers learn C++?
Learning C++ as a web developer is not required except in extremely rare cases. It must be emphatically stated that you can be a great full-stack Web developer without any knowledge of C++ at all.
If that is the case, should Web Developers learn C++? Let’s find out.
WHAT IS C++?
C++ is a cross-platform language that can be used to create high-performance applications. It was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup, as an extension to the C programming language. It gives programmers a high level of control over system resources and memory.
C++ is a low-level programming language, one of the guiding principle of C++ state that, “There should be no language beneath C++ (except assembly language).” This in itself shows the intended use of C++.
C++ can be used to program operating Systems, Embedded Systems, Telecommunications systems, Control systems, Desktop applications, Video Games, Servers, Databases, space probes, etc. You can learn more about The Amazing things You Can Do With C++ here.
WHAT IS WEB DEVELOPMENT?
Web Development on the other hand is the “work involved in developing a website for the Internet or an intranet.
Web development can range from developing a simple single static page of plain text to complex web applications, electronic businesses, and social network services.”
A web Developer is concerned with the front-facing side and the server-side logic on the website or application. Web developers use high-level programming languages and frameworks to achieve this.
For the client side of the web application, Web developers use HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Other frontend frameworks and libraries such as React, Angular, Vue, Svelte, etc. are used heavily.
On the server- side, web developers use languages and frameworks such as Php, Python, Ruby, Java, Golang, Node.js, Ruby on rails, Django, Laravel, and many others to program the server-side logic of web applications.
Web developers are also knowledgeable in the use of databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, SQLite, etc.
Web Developers can create and use Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to extend the functionality and access third-party data for their web applications.
You can learn more about Becoming a Full Stack Web Developer in our article How to Become a Self-taught Web Developer (Step by Step).
It can be seen from the above that C++ is not really needed to become a full Stack Web developer. Web Developers work with high-level programming Languages and tools while C++ is a low-level programming Language centered mostly on systems.
“C++ was designed with an orientation toward systems programming and embedded, resource-constrained software and large systems, with performance, efficiency, and flexibility of use as its design highlights.”
C++ is still used in Web Development by big corporations such as Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Twitter to greatly improve the performance of their Web applications and reduce the overhead on their servers.
However, you are not any less of a Web Developer if you do not know C++. You will still be able to write amazing Web Applications with other programming Languages and frameworks. So, it’s not a must to learn C++ as a web developer.
But, if you want to separate yourself from other web developers, if you would like to work on system applications, C++ is a great language to pick up and combine with your web development skills.
Having C++ on your resume as a web developer is something that every employer cannot ignore, especially if you are interested in working for big corporations. C++ skills as a Web developer will definitely set you apart.
In conclusion, if you can learn C++ as a web Developer, do so promptly, its going to benefit you and broaden your understanding of systems integration with Web Development.
However, C++ is not a requirement for web Development and you can do without it.
There are many Web developers who have worked on some of the biggest applications for some of the biggest companies and have never written a line in C++. Knowing C++ for Web Developers is not a must but it can be helpful.
