Do you want to learn C++, but don't know where to begin? This series takes you through from the very beginning, assuming you have some programming knowledge but know no C++ at all, and show you how to build a real-world, useful application, demonstrating UI and logic design principles, the basics of C++, and useful classes and methods, ie a great overview of the areas you need to know about in order to confidently write well-designed modern C++.
If you are
- a hobbyist who’s done some programming but never used C++ (or Delphi) before,
- a student,
- or a professional who wants to learn something new,
this five-part series is for you.
1. Introduction and Installation
Introduction to the series and what it will cover, followed by installing C++Builder to get you ready to make an app.
2. Building and Debugging
Making your first app, and running it. Then an overview of how to solve problems – how to debug, and how to use the debugging tools in C++Builder.
3. Design, Architecture, and UIs
How do you build an app well? How do you design an app so it makes sense, will have few bugs, and the code clear and understandable? Good design and architecture principles are discussed and then applied in practice, in code. The calculator app is starting to take shape. Then, the UI is built and there's a quick discussion of the UI layer and what you can achieve with it.
4. Real Code and Useful C++: Ownership, smart pointers, styles, and optional values
Let's dig into some great C++! Fundamentals about scope and RAII – and what that is – followed by smart pointers and a really neat class from the Boost library, boost::optional (a kind of nullable type.) The UI and calculator are connected and typing numbers starts making numbers appear onscreen. In addition, there's more about what you can achieve with the UI layer and styling.
5. Finishing the calculator: operators, and putting it all together
C++-style object orientation with operand classes, and the calculator is complete!
Source code is available on github.
We have a similar series for Delphi! Check out Pawel's five-part series on learning Delphi, written in parallel with this C++ one.
