C++ Output (Print Text)
The cout object, together with the << operator, is used to output values/print
text:
Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
cout << "Hello World!";
return 0;
}
You can add as many cout objects as you want. However, note that it does
not insert a new line at the end of the output:
Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
cout << "Hello World!";
cout << "I am learning C++";
return 0;
}
C++ New Lines
New Lines
To insert a new line, you can use the \n character:
Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
cout << "Hello World! \n";
cout << "I am learning C++";
return 0;
Tip: Two \n characters after each other will create a blank line:
Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
cout << "Hello World!" << "\n\n";
cout << "I am learning C++";
return 0;
}
Another way to insert a new line is with the endl manipulator:
Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
cout << "Hello World!" << endl;
cout << "I am learning C++";
return 0;
}
Both \n and endl are used to break lines. However, \n is most used.
But what is \n exactly?
The newline character (\n) is called an escape sequence, forcing the cursor
to change its position to the beginning of the next line on the screen. This
results in a new line.
C++ User Input
You have already learned that cout is used to output (print) values. Now we
will use cin to get user input.
cin is a predefined variable that reads data from the keyboard with the
extraction operator (>>).
In the following example, the user can input a number stored in the variable
x. Then we print the value of x:
Example
int x;
cout << "Type a number: "; // Type a number and press enter
cin >> x; // Get user input from the keyboard
cout << "Your number is: " << x; // Display the input value
Good To Know
cout is pronounced, "see-out". Used for output, and uses the insertion
operator (<<)
cin is pronounced, "see-in". Used for input, and uses the extraction operator
(>>)
Creating a Simple Calculator
In this example, the user must input two numbers. Then we print the sum by
calculating (adding) the two numbers:
Example
int x, y;
int sum;
cout << "Type a number: ";
cin >> x;
cout << "Type another number: ";
cin >> y;
sum = x + y;
cout << "Sum is: " << sum;
