Programming with C++

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• Understand the key concepts and vocabulary of object orientation
• Use fundamental and composite data types
• Define and use classes
• Write class member functions
• Use pointers and dynamic memory
• Use constructors and destructors
• Write code that is efficient and robust
• Build new classes from other classes using aggregation and association
• Build new classes from other classes using inheritance
• Use container classes, including template classes
• Use operator overloading
• Design and write code with polymorphic behaviour

Please note: Before attending this class delegates must have a Microsoft account (signing up one is free). The instructions on how to set up a Microsoft account can be found here.

Course Introduction

• Course Prerequisites
• Course Objectives
• Course Delivery
• Course Practicals
• Course Structure

C ++ Programs

• Key features of C++
• Identifiers and keywords
• Simple declarations, expressions and statements
• Basic I/O
• Layout
• Guidelines

Fundamental Data Types

• Built-in types
• Integer numbers
• Floating Point numbers
• Characters
• Booleans
• Assignment
• Compound Assignment
• Defining constants
• Type conversions

Composite Data Types

• Defining and using enumerations
• Built-in arrays and their limitations
• Using the vector class
• Built-in strings as character arrays
• Using the string class
• Defining and using structures

Control Flow

• Simple and compound statements
• Selection with if else and switch statements
• Conditional expressions
• Looping with while and for statements

Functions

• Overloading
• Default arguments
• Scope issues
• Pass by copy
• Pass by reference
• Inline functions
• Header files and source files
• Pitfalls and guidelines

Object Concepts

• Object behaviour
• Object state
• Object identity, Object-oriented programming
• Classes
• Encapsulation

Using Classes

• Associating functionality with data
• Class definitions
• Public and private
• Queries functions and modifier functions
• Struct vs class

Pointers

• Concepts and syntax
• Pointers to structured types
• Pointers for encapsulated objects
• Null pointers
• Pointers vs. references

Implementing Classes

• Defining member functions
• Object identity
• The this pointer
• Initialisation
• Constructors
• Default constructors
• Member Initialisation
• Inlining member functions

Operator Functions

• Operators as functions
• Global operators
• Member operators
• I/O stream operators

Object Relationships

• Associations and their implementation
• Compositions and their implementation
• Navigation
• Delegation
• Multiplicity

Dynamic Memory

• The need for dynamic memory
• Dynamic objects
• Using new and delete
• Dynamic arrays
• Using new[] and delete[]
• Destructors

More Pointers

• Pointers and arrays
• Pointer arithmetic
• Pointers as array iterators
• Pointers and const

Containers

• Container concepts and classification
• Template classes
• Standard containers
• Vector
• List
• Iterators
• Template functions
• Algorithms

Copying

• Copy construction
• Copy assignment
• Compiler generated copy behaviour
• Problems
• Solutions
• Reducing Copying
• Restricting Copying

Class Relationships

• Extension of existing classes using inheritance
• Polymorphic behaviour
• Type substitutability
• Abstract base classes

Inheritance

• Protected members
• Substitutability
• Scoping
• Base class initialisation
• Order of object construction and destruction

Polymorphism

• Virtual destructors
• Pure virtual functions
• Using polymorphism through pointers and references

The Way Ahead

• Support after this course
• Further C++ information sources
• Appendices including C++ 11 Language Enhancements