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Chapter 2 of the book "C++ Primer Plus, 6th Edition by Stephen Prata (2012)" says

Right now the main point to remember is that C++ syntax requires you to begin the definition of the main() function with this header:int main().This chapter discusses the function header syntax in more detail later, in the section “Functions,” but for those who can’t put their curiosity on hold, here’s a preview.

In Oxford dict "right now" and "currently" are synonyms.

Are "right now" and "currently" exchangeably here?

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They are synonymous, but they have slightly different idiomatic usage.

"Right now" very specifically refers to this moment in time.

"Currently" is used in a broader sense, for ongoing matters that have already begun in the past - for example, the term "current affairs" refers to news bulletins that cover what has happened in a day or even a longer period such as a week. The latest edition of a monthly magazine may be termed "the current edition", even though it could be 29 days old.

In your text, I feel that "right now" is not interchangeable with "currently". It is telling you that, at the precise moment you are reading it, you should remember this main point.

Right now the main point to remember is that...

It reads as an instruction, advising you to remember a particular point now. Your quote even says that other matters will be discussed later in the chapter, which is why I am certain that "right now" refers to your present position in the book and not some real-world climate. As a learning manual, it is speaking to you very directly and meant to be read in order so that you learn the subject in a linear fashion.

Consider this order:

Turn around right now.

You can't say "turn around currently" - that doesn't make any sense.

An example where they are interchangeable:

  • Currently, there are 4 major armed conflicts happening in the world.
  • Right now, there are 4 major armed conflicts happening in the world.

They are interchangeable in this context because the events they refer to are both ongoing (and so "current") and occurring "right now", at this moment in time.

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  • I beg to differ. I might be wrong, but if currently tends to be used for ongoing matters (as you said), it can be used instead, given that reading the book is an ongoing matter.
    – krobelusmeetsyndra
    Commented Sep 16, 2019 at 12:38
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    @krobelusmeetsyndra It reads like an order. "Right now, you should do this...". If somebody said "turn around right now!" you can't swap the term with "currently", can you? "Turn around currently" doesn't make any sense. They are not interchangeable.
    – Astralbee
    Commented Sep 16, 2019 at 12:39
  • I totally agree that "Turn around currently" doesn't make any sense, because that's an order. However, "The main point to remember..." is not an order, is it? I, personally, take it as an advice or sort of "how to".
    – krobelusmeetsyndra
    Commented Sep 16, 2019 at 13:12
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    I get what you're saying, I just see it differently. To me, it does make sense to use either one. Anyway, thanks for clarifying and +1 for a good, detailed answer.
    – krobelusmeetsyndra
    Commented Sep 16, 2019 at 13:21
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    @Astralbee Thank you! Your answer helps me a lot! How about think of "Right now" has a meaning of "time point" which "currently" don't have. "Turn around right now" means "Turn around" in a few seconds and "currently" does not have this meaning.
    – user100111
    Commented Sep 17, 2019 at 1:10
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They are pretty much synonyms. You could substitute Currently for Right now in that passage with little change of meaning. The difference is one of those subtleties of idiomatic English.

Currently is defined as "at the present time; now" and can mean a period of time upto and including the present. For example

Currently I am delivering potatoes.

You may not be actually delivering a potato as you speak, but you have been doing so very recently, this week for example. You are in the middle of the potato delivery process.

Right now emphasises that you are talking about the present moment

Right now I am delivering potatoes

I've got potatoes in my hand and I'm giving them to a customer.

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    It really depends on the context - if you'd been talking about the various jobs you've had over decades of past employment, Right now I'm delivering potatoes could reasonably be used / interpreted as meaning I've [only] been delivering potatoes for the past few hours / days / weeks / months (probably not years, but that couldn't always be ruled out). In other contexts it could mean you've only been doing those deliveries (and/or will continue doing so) for a matter of minutes / seconds. As ever, context is everything.
    – FumbleFingers
    Commented Sep 16, 2019 at 14:03

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