One hour  C++ Crash Course

Outline


A lot of Robotics applications are written in C++. Here is a refresher


1. Overview of Modern C++ Features (15 minutes)

  • C++11 to C++20 (and beyond): Highlight the most impactful features introduced in each standard, such as auto, lambda expressions, smart pointers, constexpr, range-based for loops, thread support library, and more.
  • Best Practices for Modern C++: Discuss how modern C++ practices have evolved, emphasizing readability, performance, and safer code.


2. Advanced Object-Oriented Programming and Design Patterns (10 minutes)

  • Advanced Use of Inheritance and Polymorphism: Best practices for designing class hierarchies, interface segregation, and when to use composition over inheritance.
  • Design Patterns in C++: Quick overview of commonly used patterns in C++ projects (Singleton, Factory, Observer, and Strategy patterns) and their modern implementations.


3. Modern Memory Management (10 minutes)

  • Smart Pointers: Unique_ptr, shared_ptr, weak_ptr, and best practices for resource management.
  • Move Semantics: Understanding std::move, rvalue references, and how to leverage them for optimizing resource management and container classes.


4. Concurrent and Parallel Programming (10 minutes)

  • Thread Management: Creating and managing threads, thread safety, mutexes, locks, and condition variables.
  • Parallel Algorithms: Introduction to the parallel algorithms in the Standard Template Library (STL) and how to use them to improve performance.


5. Modern C++ Idioms and Techniques (10 minutes)

  • Rule of Three/Five/Zero: Resource management idioms for modern C++.
  • Template Metaprogramming: A brief on compile-time computations and type manipulations.
  • constexpr and inline variables: Understanding their importance and usage.


6. Latest Trends and Tools (5 minutes)

  • Overview of the Latest C++ Standards (C++23 and upcoming): Quick overview of the latest features and what’s on the horizon for C++.
  • Tooling: Briefly introduce tools for code formatting (clang-format), static analysis (Cppcheck, Clang-Tidy), and modern IDEs that support C++ development.


Closing (Q&A Session) (5 minutes)

  • Open the floor for questions, allowing participants to discuss specific topics of interest or clarify doubts.



Aimed at the Beginner


1. Introduction to C++ and Setup (10 minutes)

  • Brief History and Significance of C++: Highlight C++'s role in software development.
  • Setting up the Environment: Quick guide on installing a C++ compiler and IDE or using an online compiler for practice.
  • Hello World Program: Write and explain a simple program to demonstrate basic syntax and compiling.

2. Variables, Data Types, and Operators (10 minutes)

  • Variables and Data Types: Introduction to basic data types (int, char, float, double) and how to declare variables.
  • Basic Operators: Arithmetic, assignment, and comparison operators to manipulate data.

3. Control Structures (10 minutes)

  • Conditional Statements: Use of if , else , and switch statements to make decisions in code.
  • Loops: Introduction to for , while , and do-while loops for repeating code blocks.

4. Functions (10 minutes)

  • Defining and Calling Functions: How to write reusable code blocks with functions.
  • Parameters and Return Types: Passing data to functions and returning a result.

5. Basic Object-Oriented Programming (10 minutes)

  • Classes and Objects: Concept of classes as blueprints and objects as instances.
  • Basic Class Members: Attributes and methods; how to define and access them.
  • Constructors: Special functions for initializing new objects.

6. Basic Input/Output and Practice Problem (10 minutes)

  • Cin and Cout for Input/Output: Demonstrating how to read from and write to the console.
  • Simple Practice Problem: Apply learned concepts in a small challenge, like calculating the area of a shape, to reinforce learning.

Closing Remarks and Resources for Further Learning (5 minutes)

  • Summary of key points covered.
  • Encourage practice and exploration.
  • Provide resources for further learning: recommended books, online tutorials, and practice websites.