C++ Documentation

This guide introduces C++ programming theory, focusing on concepts and best practices for developers using the Codeunia Learn platform.

Overview

C++ is a powerful, high-performance programming language that extends C with object-oriented features, generics, and modern abstractions. It provides low-level control with high-level constructs, making it suitable for system programming, game development, and performance-critical applications.

C++ Fundamentals

Variables and Data Types

Variables are declared with types, and C++ is statically typed. Fundamental types include:

• int: Integer types (short, int, long, long long).
• float/double: Floating-point types.
• char: Character types.
• bool: Boolean type.
• void: Absence of type.

Pointers and references allow memory manipulation. User-defined types include structs, classes, and enums.

Strings

C++ provides std::string from the Standard Library for string handling, supporting concatenation, comparison, and manipulation.

Arrays and Vectors

Arrays are fixed-size collections. std::vector provides dynamic arrays with automatic memory management.

Pointers and Memory Management

Pointers store memory addresses. Manual memory management with new and delete is powerful but error-prone. Smart pointers (unique_ptr, shared_ptr) provide safer alternatives.

Control Flow

Conditional Statements

if, else if, and else control branching. The switch statement handles multiple cases.

Loops

for, range-based for, while, and do-while loops support iteration. Loop control uses break and continue.

Functions

Functions can be overloaded and templated. They support default arguments and references for efficiency.

Classes and Object-Oriented Programming

C++ supports encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. Classes define objects with data members and member functions. Virtual functions enable runtime polymorphism.

Templates and Generic Programming

Templates allow generic code that works with any type, enabling reusable algorithms and data structures.

Error Handling

Exception handling uses try, catch, and throw. RAII (Resource Acquisition Is Initialization) ensures resource cleanup.

File Operations

The <fstream> library provides classes for file input/output. Streams handle reading and writing data.

Standard Template Library (STL)

The STL includes containers (vector, list, map), algorithms (sort, find), and iterators for efficient programming.

Concurrency

C++11 introduced threads and synchronization primitives like mutexes and condition variables.

Best Practices

Use RAII, avoid raw pointers, and prefer STL containers. Follow the Rule of Three/Five for resource management.

Testing

Frameworks like Google Test support unit testing in C++.

Performance Optimization

Profile code, optimize algorithms, and use appropriate data structures. Compiler optimizations and inline functions improve performance.

Deployment

C++ code is compiled to executables or libraries. Cross-platform development requires consideration of compilers and platforms.

Resources and References

• C++ Reference
• C++ Core Guidelines
• Effective Modern C++

Troubleshooting

Common issues include memory leaks, undefined behavior, and compilation errors. Use debuggers like GDB and sanitizers.

Development Setup

Install a compiler (GCC, Clang, MSVC), set up an IDE (Visual Studio, CLion), and use build systems like CMake. Version control and continuous integration are essential.