Introduction to C++ and Object-Oriented Programming

Key Learning Areas

• Learn the basic structural elements of a C++ program
• Learn a disciplined approach to program design
• Learn to compose types and implement encapsulation
• Learn the role of copy constructors
• Learn techniques for handling memory allocation errors
• Learn how to model your problem domain
• Learn the features of virtual functions and dynamic binding
• And much more…

Course Outline

Language Primer & OO Concepts

• Examine the basic syntax and language constructs of a C++ program.
• Learn how the object model provides the framework for abstraction, encapsulation and instantiation.

Classes in C++

• Use member data to represent data encapsulated in a
• Use member functions to implement class' operations and provide access to its data.
• Use the 'this' pointer to refer to the invoking object.
• Implement an abstract data type using C++ classes.
• Organize code for C++ classes into code files and header files.
• Write simple test programs to exercise each member function of a class.

Functions in C++

• Use function prototypes in your code.
• Take advantage of C++ support for strong type checking.
• Make use of automatic conversion of parameters in function calls when there is a prototype.
• Use inline functions.
• Use default arguments.
• Learn the benefits of overloading.
• Learn the standard C/C++ call by value mechanism for passing parameters in functions calls.

Constructors and Destructors

• Learn the use and benefit of constructors.
• Use multiple constructors in a class, including the default constructor.
• Learn the use and benefit of destructors.
• Simplify a class by using default arguments in a constructor.

Memory Management

• Learn the use of static, automatic (stack) and heap memory.
• Use new and delete to manage memory.
• Provide constructors and destructors to support dynamic objects.
• Discuss techniques for handling memory allocation errors.
• Hide details of memory management in a class.

Argument Passing

• Use reference declarations to alias variables.
• Use references in argument passing.
• Learn the role of copy constructors.
• Use constant types in your programs.

Operator Overloading

• Use overloaded operators in your code.
• Learn the semantics of assignment.
• Distinguish between initialization and assignment.
• Overload the assignment operator.
• Implement type conversions by overloading cast operators and by constructors.

Access Control

• Use C++ scoping facilities.
• Use constants through enumeration types and through the const keyword.
• Define "static members" and use them in your code.
• Control access to member data and functions through public, private, and protected access specifiers.
• Define "friend" function and explain how a friend function differs from a member function.

Inheritance

• Use inheritance to model your problem domain and achieve greater code reuse.
• Use C++ class derivation to implement inheritance.
• Use public, protected and private to control access to class members.
• Use an initialization list for proper base class initialization and embedded member initialization.
• Determine order of invocation of constructors and destructors.
• Distinguish between use of inheritance and composition.

Polymorphism and Virtual Functions

• Learn the features of virtual functions and dynamic binding.
• Learn pointer conversion in C++ inheritance and use pointers in connection with virtual functions.
• Use polymorphism in C++ to write better structured, more maintainable code.
• Provide virtual destructors for classes using virtual functions.
• Specify abstract classes using pure virtual functions.

Who Benefits

To gain the most benefit from this course, students should have  some experience programming in C.

Prerequisites

Experience programming in a modern object-oriented language such as Java or C# is also sufficient.