What is the += in C++?

In C++, the += operator is known as the addition assignment operator. It adds the right-hand operand to the left-hand operand and assigns the result to the left operand. This operator is commonly used for performing addition in a concise way, often within loops or iterative processes.

Key Features of += Operator:

1. Combines Addition and Assignment: The expression a += b is equivalent to a = a + b. It both adds the value of b to a and updates a with the new value.

2. Supports Various Data Types: The += operator can be used with several built-in data types such as integers, floating-point numbers, and strings.

3. Overloadable: C++ allows you to overload the += operator for user-defined types (classes), enabling you to define how this operator behaves for your custom objects.

Example Usage:

Here are a few examples demonstrating the use of the += operator:

1. Using with Integers:

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    int a = 5;
    a += 3;  // Equivalent to a = a + 3
    cout << "a: " << a << endl;  // Outputs: a: 8
    return 0;
}

2. Using with Strings:

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    string str = "Hello";
    str += " World";  // Concatenates " World" to str
    cout << str << endl;  // Outputs: Hello World
    return 0;
}

Conclusion:

The += operator is a convenient way to perform addition and assignment in C++, enhancing code readability and reducing the likelihood of errors associated with manual assignments. It can be utilized with various data types and can also be overloaded for custom classes.

For further reading, you can check the following resources:

• GeeksforGeeks: C++ Operators
• cplusplus.com: Assignment Operators