42_cursus_cpp_modules

Summary

• Introduction
• Organization of the Modules
• Content of the Modules
• Learning Objectives

Introduction

The CPP Modules are a series of progressive educational projects designed to teach the fundamentals of object-oriented programming in C++. These modules help students deepen their programming knowledge and explore specific concepts of the language, such as polymorphism, memory management, exceptions, and more.

Organization of the Modules

The modules follow an increasing level of complexity, with each project focusing on a particular aspect of the language or a problem to solve. They cover both the basics and advanced concepts required to become proficient in object-oriented programming.

Content of the Modules

1. Module 00: Basics of C++
   Introduction to C++, focusing on fundamental differences from C. Topics include:

   • Classes and objects.
   • Constructors and destructors.
   • Basics like static and dynamic memory.

2. Module 01: Pointers and References
   Deep dive into memory handling and object manipulation:

   • Pointers, references, and memory allocation.
   • Using destructors to prevent memory leaks.
   • Introduction to the assignment operator.

3. Module 02: Ad-hoc Polymorphism and Canonical Form
   Exploration of key abstraction concepts in C++:

   • Operator overloading.
   • Canonical forms of classes.
   • Implicit and explicit conversions.

4. Module 03: Inheritance
   Understanding the principle of inheritance:

   • Base and derived classes.
   • Managing virtual destructors.
   • Dynamic polymorphism and interfaces.

5. Module 04: Abstract Classes and Interfaces
   Designing systems modeled with abstract classes:

   • Using pure virtual methods.
   • Advanced dynamic polymorphism.
   • Handling complex objects via interfaces.

6. Module 05: Exceptions and Error Management
   Introduction to error management mechanisms in C++:

   • Using try, catch, and throw blocks.
   • Creating custom exception classes.
   • Handling errors in modular programs.

7. Module 06: Casts and Explicit Conversions
   Advanced handling of casting in C++:

   • static_cast, dynamic_cast, reinterpret_cast, and const_cast.
   • Safe management of type conversions.
   • Optimizing performance in complex environments.

8. Module 07: Templates
   Exploring templates for generic programming:

   • Class and function templates.
   • Benefits and limitations of templates.
   • Applications in structures like containers.

9. Module 08: Containers and Algorithms
   In-depth study of the STL (Standard Template Library):

   • Using containers like vector, map, set.
   • Implementing standard algorithms.
   • Optimizing operations on data structures.

Learning Objectives

• Understand and master object-oriented programming.
• Acquire skills in modularity and abstraction.
• Develop a methodology to solve complex problems in C++.
• Get introduced to advanced concepts like design patterns, memory management, and optimization.

The CPP Modules are an excellent starting point to master C++ and prepare for more ambitious projects, such as graphics engines, simulators, or real-time applications.