C++ Without Fear: A Beginner’s Guide That Makes You Feel Smart, Third Edition

C. Syntax Summary

This appendix gives a general overview of the core C++ language.

Basic Expression Syntax

Except in the case of void expressions, an expression is something that produces a value. Expressions are the fundamental building blocks of statements, because an expression can be turned into a statement by adding a semicolon (;).

Smaller expressions can form part of larger expressions. For example, an expression is formed by addition:

expression + expression

Each of these can be any two smaller expressions that produce a numeric value. (Also, pointers may be added to integers; see Appendix A.) The result is an expression that can be used, in turn, in still larger expressions.

In C and C++, expressions can produce side effects. For example, ...