What type of C++ does Unreal Engine use?

What Type of C++ Does Unreal Engine Use?

When it comes to building games with Unreal Engine, understanding the type of C++ used is crucial. In this article, we’ll delve into the specifics of the C++ version used by Unreal Engine and explore some important aspects of using C++ with Unreal Engine.

Minimum Language Version Required

According to Unreal Engine’s official documentation, the minimum language version required to build and work with Unreal Engine is C++17. This means that if you want to use Unreal Engine, you’ll need to use a C++ compiler that supports C++17 or later.

C++ Standards Used

Unreal Engine uses a mix of C++ standards, including:

• C++17: As mentioned earlier, C++17 is the minimum version required to build and work with Unreal Engine. C++17 brings many modern features to the table, such as move semantics, auto-deduction, and more.
• C++20: Unreal Engine also supports some features from C++20, including concepts, ranges, and coroutines.
• C++23: Some modern features from C++23, such as compile-time evaluation of constexpr expressions and improved support for ranges, are also supported.

Compiler Support

Unreal Engine supports a range of compilers, including:

• Clang: Clang is the default compiler used by Unreal Engine. Clang is a C and C++ compiler that’s widely used and well-maintained.
• MSVC: Microsoft’s Visual C++ compiler (MSVC) is also supported by Unreal Engine.

Blueprints Visual Scripting

Unreal Engine offers a visual scripting system called Blueprints that allows developers to create game logic without writing C++ code. Blueprints are similar to flowcharts and use visual nodes to represent game logic.

Procedural Generation

Unreal Engine also supports procedural generation, which allows developers to generate game content, such as levels or assets, at runtime. This can be particularly useful for creating large, open worlds or for generating random game content.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Unreal Engine uses a combination of C++17, C++20, and C++23 features. The engine supports a range of compilers, including Clang and MSVC, and offers visual scripting with Blueprints. By leveraging these features and tools, developers can create stunning games and experiences with Unreal Engine.

C++ Features Used in Unreal Engine

Here’s a breakdown of the C++ features used in Unreal Engine:

• Move Semantics: Unreal Engine uses move semantics to optimize memory allocation and deallocation.
• Auto-Deduction: Auto-deduction is used to simplify code and reduce typing.
• Ranges: Ranges are used to simplify iteration over containers and arrays.
• Coroutines: Coroutines are used to implement cooperative scheduling and improve performance.
• Compile-Time Evaluation: Compile-time evaluation is used to evaluate constexpr expressions at compile time.
• Improved Support for Ranges: Improved support for ranges includes features like range-based for loops and iterator adapters.

Table: C++ Standards Used in Unreal Engine

Note: This table is not exhaustive and only highlights some of the features used in Unreal Engine.