C++ is an interesting programming language that has been around for almost three decades now. It is used to develop complex desktop applications, web applications, networking applications, device drivers, kernel modules, embedded applications, and GUI applications using third-party widget frameworks; literally speaking, C++ can be used in any domain.
Ever since I started programming in 1993, I have cherished the good old technical discussions that I had with many of my colleagues and industry experts that I met from time to time. Of all the technical discussions, one topic gets repeated time and again, which is, "Do you think C++ is a relevant programming language today? Should I continue working on C++ or should I move on to other modern programming languages, such as Java, C#, Scala, or Angular/Node.js?"
I have always felt that one should be open to learning other technologies, but that doesn’t mean having to give up on C++. However, the good news is that with the new C++17 features in place, C++ has been reborn and it is going to stay and rock for many more decades, which is my motivation to write this book.
People have always felt that Java will take over C++, but it has continued to stay. The same discussion started again when C# came into the industry and today again when Angular/Node.js and Scala seem to be more attractive for rapid programming. However, C++ has its own, place and no programming language has been able to take over the place of C++ so far.
There are already many C++ books that help you understand the language, but there are very few books that address developing GUI applications in C++, TDD with C++, and BDD with C++.
C++ has come a long way and has now been adopted in several contexts. Its key strengths are its software infrastructure and resource-constrained applications. The C++ 17 release will change the way developers write code, and this book will help you master your developing skills with C++.
With real-world, practical examples explaining each concept, the book will begin by introducing you to the latest features of C++ 17. It will encourage clean code practices in C++, and demonstrate GUI app development options in C++. You will gain insights into how to avoid memory leaks using smart pointers. Next, you will learn how multithreaded programming can help you achieve concurrency in your applications.
Moving on, you’ll also get an in-depth understanding of the C++ Standard Template Library. We'll explain the concepts of implementing TDD and BDD in your C++ programs, along with template-based generic programming, to equip you with the expertise to build powerful applications. Finally, we’ll round the book off with debugging techniques and best practices. By the time you reach the end of the book, you will have an in-depth understanding of the language and its various facets.
