C++ Design and Best Practices

C++ is an exquisitely rich language, packed with fascinating language features and extensive library capabilities. Learning the syntax and STL nuances is a task in itself. This course goes beyond the syntax and library to focus on C++ design principles and best practices. The course describes how to design C++ systems so that they are modular, maintainable, extensible, and pluggable. We take a detailed look at the SOLID principles and see how to apply them using modern C++ techniques. We also lift the lid on many design patterns, implementation patterns and C++ idioms and see how they remain relevant in C++ today.

What you will learn:

• Understanding the SOLID principles and how to apply them
• How to design for modularity, maintainability, extensibility, and pluggability
• How to design object relationships and class relationships effectively
• How to make use of static typing via templates and concepts
• How to apply design patterns using modern C++ techniques
• C++ coding best practices

Prerequisites:

Solid programming experience in C++

Course outline:

Getting Started:

• The Importance of Software Design; The Art of Software Design; OO Modelling

Designing for Change:

• The Single Responsibility Principle (SRP); SRP Example; The DRY Principle

Segregating Interfaces:

• Interfaces in C++; The Interface Segregation Principle (ISP); Applying the ISP to Template Types

Designing for Extensibility:

• The Open-Closed Principle (OCP); The OCP and Inheritance; The OCP and Template Specialization

Designing Object Relationships:

• Setting the Scene; Association; Composition; Using Smart Pointers Appropriately

Managing Resources with RAII:

• Overview of RAII; Real-World RAII Examples; Managing Dynamic Objects with RAII

Designing for Consistency [The Principle of Least Surprise]:

• The Liskov Substitution Principle (LSP); The LSP and Expectation Management; Covariance and Contravariance; The LSP and Static Typing

Designing for Pluggability:

• Defining a Pluggable Hierarchy; Managing Dependencies; Organizing Projects and Libraries

Introduction to Design Patterns:

• Essential Concepts; Design Pattern Classification; Anti-Patterns; Design Heuristics

Creational Design Patterns:

• Factory Method Pattern; Abstract Factory Pattern; Prototype Pattern; Builder Pattern

Structural Design Patterns:

• Composite Pattern; Decorator Pattern; Static Polymorphism via Templates; Object Adapter / Class Adapter Patterns; Bridge Pattern

Behavioural Design Patterns:

• State Pattern; Command Pattern; Strategy Pattern; Visitor Pattern; Implementing the Visitor Pattern via std::variant

 

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