Functions allow you to segment your code into logical routines, which makes your code more readable, and gives the flexibility of being able to reuse code. C++ provides a wealth of options to define functions, including variable argument lists, templates, function pointers, and lambda expressions. However, there is one main issue with global functions: the data is separate from the function. This means that the function has to access the data via global data items, or data has to be passed to a function via a parameter every time the function is called. In both cases, the data exists outside the function and could be used by other functions unrelated to the data. The next chapter will give a solution to this: classes. A class allows you to encapsulate data in a custom type, and you can define functions on that type so that only these functions will be able to access the...
Beginning C++ Programming
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Beginning C++ Programming
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Overview of this book
C++ has come a long way and is now adopted in several contexts. Its key strengths are its software infrastructure and resource-constrained applications, including desktop applications, servers, and performance-critical applications, not to forget its importance in game programming. Despite its strengths in these areas, beginners usually tend to shy away from learning the language because of its steep learning curve.
The main mission of this book is to make you familiar and comfortable with C++. You will finish the book not only being able to write your own code, but more importantly, you will be able to read other projects. It is only by being able to read others' code that you will progress from a beginner to an advanced programmer. This book is the first step in that progression.
The first task is to familiarize you with the structure of C++ projects so you will know how to start reading a project. Next, you will be able to identify the main structures in the language, functions, and classes, and feel confident being able to identify the execution flow through the code. You will then become aware of the facilities of the standard library and be able to determine whether you need to write a routine yourself, or use an existing routine in the standard library.
Throughout the book, there is a big emphasis on memory and pointers. You will understand memory usage, allocation, and access, and be able to write code that does not leak memory. Finally, you will learn about C++ classes and get an introduction to object orientation and polymorphism.
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Table of Contents (11 chapters)
Preface
Free Chapter
Starting with C++
Understanding Language Features
Exploring C++ Types
Working with Memory, Arrays, and Pointers
Using Functions
Introduction to Object-Orientated Programming
Using the Standard Library Containers
Using Strings
Diagnostics and Debugging
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