Endl Mean in C++

Introduction

Writing code in C++ involves more than just knowing the syntax and logic; it also requires understanding the many tools and manipulators at your disposal. One of these is endl, a seemingly simple yet profoundly useful element in C++. 

In this article, we will explore what endl is, how it works, and when to use it.

What is endl in C++?

In C++, endl is an output manipulator used with the insertion operator (<<). It's part of the standard library and performs two main functions: it inserts a new line, and it flushes the output buffer.

How endl Works

Let's take a look at a basic code snippet to see endl in action:

#include <iostream>


int main() {
    std::cout << "Hello, World!" << std::endl;
    return 0;
}

Output

Here, endl is used after the string "Hello, World!". It causes the cursor to move to the start of the next line, and also clears the output buffer, immediately printing any pending output.

The Difference Between endl and '\n'

While both endl and '\n' insert a new line, they are not the same. The difference lies in their second function: endl flushes the output buffer, while '\n' does not.

Why is this important? Well, flushing the buffer can be useful when you need to display the output immediately, but it also requires extra processing power. Therefore, when writing a program that prints a lot of data but doesn't require immediate output, '\n' could be more efficient.