C++ Programming for C Programmers

All HOTT courses are available face-to-face, remote-live, on-demand or on-site at your facility. 

This hands on C++ training course presents a thorough introduction to object-oriented programming in C++ for experienced C programmers. The central concepts of C++ syntax and style are taught in the context of using object-oriented methods to achieve reusability, adaptability and reliability. Emphasis is placed on the features of C++ that support abstract data types, inheritance, and polymorphism. Students will learn to apply the process of data abstraction and class design. Practical aspects of C++ programming including efficiency, performance, testing, and reliability considerations are stressed throughout. Comprehensive hands on exercises are integrated throughout to reinforce learning and develop real competency.

Students will learn:

• Writing procedural programs using C++
• Using private, public and protected keywords to control access to class members
• Defining a class in C++Writing constructors and destructors
• Writing classes with const and static class members
• Overloading operators
• Implementing polymorphic methods in programs
• Writing programs using file I/O and string streams
• Using manipulators and stream flags to format output
• Using the keyword template to write generic functions and classes
• Writing programs that use generic classes and functions
• Writing programs that use algorithms and containers of the Standard Library
• Using algorithms and containers of the Standard Library to manipulate string data
• Using try() blocks to trap exceptions
• Using catch() blocks to handle exceptions
• Defining exceptions and using throw to trigger them

Course Prerequisites: Prior programming experience with C.

Course Overview

Moving from C to C++

• New Compiler Directives
• Stream Console I/O
• Explicit Operators
• Standard Libraries
• Data Control Capabilities

Handling Data

• New Declaration Features
• Initialization and Assignment
• Enumerated Types
• The bool Type
• Constant Storage
• Pointers to Constant Storage
• Constant Pointers
• References
• Constant Reference Arguments
• Volatile Data
• Global Data

Functions

• Function Prototypes and Type Checking
• Default Function Data Types
• Function Overloading
• Problems with Function Overloading
• Name Resolution
• Promotions and Conversions
• Call by Value
• Reference Declarations
• Call-by-Reference and Reference Types
• References in Function Return
• Constant Argument Types
• Conversion of Parameters Using Default Initializers
• Providing Default Arguments
• Inline Functions

Creating and Using Objects

• Creating Automatic Objects
• Creating Dynamic Objects
• Calling Object Methods
• Constructors
• Initializing Member consts
• Initializer List Syntax
• Allocating Resources in Constructor
• Destructors
• Block and Function Scope
• File and Global Scope
• Class Scope
• Scope Resolution Operator ::
• Using Objects as Arguments
• Objects as Function Return Values
• Constant Methods
• Containment Relationships

Dynamic Memory Management

• Advantages of Dynamic Memory Allocation
• Static, Automatic, and Heap Memory
• Free Store Allocation with new and delete
• Handling Memory Allocation Errors

Controlling Object Creation

• Object Copying and Copy Constructor
• Automatic Copy Constructor
• Conversion Constructor

Inheritance

• Inheritance and Reuse
• Composition vs. Inheritance
• Inheritance: Centralized Code
• Inheritance: Maintenance and Revision
  - Public, Private and Protected Members
  - Redefining Behavior in Derived Classes
  - Designing Extensible Software Systems
• Syntax for Public Inheritance
• Use of Common Pointers
• Constructors and Initialization
• Inherited Copy Constructors
• Destructors and Inheritance
• Public, Protected, Private Inheritance

Streaming I/O

• Streams and the iostream Library
• Built-in Stream Objects
• Stream Manipulators
• Stream Methods
• Input/Output Operators
• Character Input
• String Streams
• Formatted I/O
• File Stream I/O
• Overloading Stream Operators
• Persistent Objects

Introduction to Object Concepts

• The Object Programming Paradigm
• Object-Orientated Programming Definitions
• Information Hiding and Encapsulation
• Separating Interface and Implementation
• Classes and Instances of Objects
• Overloaded Objects and Polymorphism

Templates

• Purpose of Template Classes
• Constants in Templates
• Templates and Inheritance
• Container Classes
• Use of Libraries

Strings in C++

• Character Strings
• The String Class
• Operators on Strings
• Member Functions of the String Class

Exceptions

• Types of Exceptions
• Trapping and Handling Exceptions
• Triggering Exceptions
• Handling Memory Allocation Errors

C++ Program Structure

• Organizing C++ Source Files
• Integrating C and C++ Projects
• Using C in C++

Reliability Considerations in C++

• Projects
• Function Prototypes
• Strong Type Checking
• Constant Types
• C++ Access Control Techniques

Polymorphism in C++

• Definition of Polymorphism
• Calling Overridden Methods
• Upcasting
• Accessing Overridden Methods
• Virtual Methods and Dynamic Binding
• Virtual Destructors
• Abstract Base Classes and Pure Virtual Methods

Multiple Inheritance

• Derivation from Multiple Base Classes
• Base Class Ambiguities
• Virtual Inheritance
  - Virtual Base Classes
  - Virtual Base Class Information

Declaring and Defining Classes

• Components of a Class
• Class Structure
• Class Declaration Syntax
• Member Data
• Built-in Operations
• Constructors and Initialization
• Initialization vs. Assignment
• Class Type Members
• Member Functions and Member Accessibility
• Inline Member Functions
• Friend Functions
• Static Members
• Modifying Access with a Friend Class

Operator Overloading

• Advantages and Pitfalls of Overloading
• Member Operator Syntax and Examples
• Class Assignment Operators
• Class Equality Operators
• Non-Member Operator Overloading
• Member and Non-Member Operator Functions
• Operator Precedence
• The this Pointer
• Overloading the Assignment Operator
• Overloading Caveats

The Standard Template Library

• STL Containers
• Parameters Used in Container Classes
• The Vector Class
• STL Algorithms
• Use of Libraries