Modern C++ Programming

Course objectives

Delegates will learn:

• new C++ features such as nullptr, auto and decltype deduction mechanisms, range-based for loop, strongly typed enums (scoped enums), and uniform initialization syntax
• implementation of move semantics for classes and the perfect forwarding mechanism
• lambda expressions and their practical application
• mechanisms of secure memory management with smart pointers
• new features in templates: variadic templates and fold expressions
• new components in the Standard Library, such as std::tuple, std::optional and std::variant
• how to call functions and create data structures at the compilation stage

Course syllabus

Core language features

• New basic types in C++11/17
• Raw strings
• nullptr keyword
• Type deduction in modern C++
  • auto
  • decltype
• Functions and trailing return type
• Scoped enumerations
• if and switch with initializers
• Range-based-for loops
• Uniform initialization syntax
• Initializers list
• Static inline class members
• New attributes: [[nodiscard]], [[maybe_unsued]], etc.

New features in C++ classes

• Special member functions • Default initialization of non-static members • Delegating and inheriting of constructors • Overriding virtual methods – override • Blocking inheritance and overriding using final • Explicit conversion functions

Move semantics

• l-value vs. r-value
• r-value references – T&&
• Implementing "move semantics" for types
• Using std::move()
• Perfect forwarding and universal references
• Copy Elision and Return Value Optimisation (RVO)
• noexcept keyword

Lambda expressions

• Callables
• Lambda expressions and closures
  • Capturing variables – closures
• Lambdas in STL algorithms
• Passing lambdas in variables - auto vs. std::function
  • Queues
  • Callbacks

Memory management in modern C++

• RAII idiom (Resource Aquisition Is Initialization)
• Smart pointers
  • std::unique_ptr
  • std::shared_ptr
  • std::weak_ptr
• Custom dealocators

Constant expressions in C++

• constexpr expressions
• constexpr functions
• Using constant expressions for generating data structures at compile time
  • constexpr if

Templates

• Type Traits library
• Variadic templates
• Fold expressions
• Class Template Argument Deduction - CTAD

Standard Template Library

• std::byte
• std::array - convenient wrapper for native arrays
• Hash containers
• std::function
• Tuples – std::tuple
  • Structured bindings in C++17
  • Use cases
• std::string_view
• std::optional
• Dynamic objects - std::any
• std::variant and visitation mechanism

Prerequisites

Attendance of our Programming in C++ course or equivalent experience with C++

Course duration

5 days, 8 class hours each