Why is "using namespace std;" still taught?

Question

It's bad practice and it's unfortunate that so many beginners are learning something that will almost certainly bite them in the rear later on. SoloLearn should fix its C++ coursework.

Answer 1

As this subject has been come up time and time again perhaps someone should create a user submitted lesson on the subject to properly explain namespaces and their usage.

Answer 2

You can have your cake and eat it too if you use `using namespace std`, but inside functions.

int main(){
using namespace std;
cout << ...
}

That way you're at least not clogging up the global namespace :P

Answer 3

Well I am no expert and I occasionally write some C++. I've always used 'using namespace std;' because no one until recently told me it's bad. I personally like the brief 'cout' syntax, a whole 2 characters shorter than even printf lol. I almost never use any other namespaces and therefore almost never have namespace clashes. Well that's just a personal opinion from a non expert.

Answer 4

Sonic, you can write ...

using std::cout, std::cin;

... combining proper and lazy. ;-)

Answer 5

Oh you're good HonFu! 😉

Answer 6

Schindlabua the number of couts/cins within the function better be high to make that worthwhile 😂.

Answer 7

Maybe because for simpler codes where there is no risk of name space clash, it is useful in abbreviating the standard input/output stream names.

Answer 8

Wow this blew up. It warms my heart to see so many people that care :)

Answer 9

yep and no, it teaches a new user about namespaces (or does it?)

anyway, here is some more reading on the subject

https://www.sololearn.com/discuss/294730/?ref=app
https://www.sololearn.com/discuss/187690/?ref=app
https://www.sololearn.com/discuss/1694246/?ref=app
https://www.sololearn.com/discuss/340041/?ref=app
https://www.sololearn.com/discuss/93433/?ref=app

Answer 10

That's true Jamie💐 . Matthew Elmer lol, yes.

Answer 11

So why should I trust SoloLearn if it does the same thing?!

Answer 12

~ swim ~ there are so many things in the standard library that it's very easy to use functions and get unexpected results. Typing "std::" becomes automatic and it ensures you're getting the right function.

Answer 13

~ swim ~

The fact that there may or may not be more C in the world is irrelevant. If someone wants to learn C++ they should be taught properly.

Answer 14

I'm just starting to learn c++. I've had this app for A VERY long time, but I've always wanted to learn... any pointers?

Answer 15

Ah, best of luck to the beginners then, I hope they realize this

Answer 16

I think it makes sense to teach everything, then improving the quality of code comes next, because it is a skill in itself. trying to say this and that is bad from the beginning is boring.
for a beginner it's freaky to see std:: and long forms just to print a string.
otherwise make it a rule in C++ to not use it, just like Python enforces indentation.

Answer 17

Its true, just do it.