C++ Programming:
A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction

What is this course about?

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the C++ language for programmers who do not have experience with the C language. It covers C++ syntax and object-oriented programming concepts in parallel. We begin with the basics:

• Functions
• Keyboard and screen I/O
• Variables
• Integer and floating point data types
• String and output file library classes

We progress through more advanced topics:

• Defining classes
• Constructors and destructors
• Inheritance
• Polymorphism
• Function and operator overloading
• Dynamic memory management
• Managed C++ dialects

By the end of the course, you have a firm foundation in C++ syntax and usage, and also in the object-oriented approach to programming.

What background do I need?

This course assumes that you are a programmer with one year of experience using a compiled, procedural language such as Pascal, FORTRAN, COBOL, PL/1 or Ada. Prior experience with C, C++ or Java is not assumed.

HTML or SQL experience alone is not adequate background.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is for professional programmers who are interested in programming with C++. This includes application and systems programmers, software engineers and their managers.

What is C++?

C++ is one of the most widely used object-oriented programming languages. Derived from C, C++ offers the power, efficiency and portability of C, combined with the greater reusability, reliability and maintainability of an object-oriented language. C++ is used for system and application software development on Microsoft Windows, UNIX, Linux, Macintosh, and other computers including embedded systems.

What C++ development environment is used in this course?

This course uses Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 running on Microsoft Windows XP Professional but does not rely on Microsoft- or Windows-specific language features. The course concentrates on standard features of C++ available in all modern C++ development environments.

Does this course teach managed C++?

A brief overview of Microsoft's managed C++ extensions is included in the course, but the focus is on ISO/ANSI standard C++.

My company uses XYZ C++ development environment, running on an ABC system. Does this course cover XYZ C++?

Although there may be some minor dialect differences in each vendor-specific version of C++, or its associated class libraries, C++ is an ISO/ANSI standard so the syntax and usage would be the same. This course provides the foundation you need for developing C++ applications, regardless of which development environment or operating system your organisation may be using.

How much time does the course spend on each topic?

How much time in this course is devoted to hands-on exercises?

Approximately 40 percent of course time is spent on hands-on exercises that provide extensive C++ programming experience. Exercises include:

• Writing, compiling and executing C++ programs
• Performing arithmetic computations and string operations
• Defining and calling top-level and class member functions
• Reading and writing formatted I/O
• Using for loops and if/else decisions
• Defining and using new classes
• Managing dynamic data
• Extending a class with inheritance
• Overloading functions and operators
• Instantiating templates

Does this course cover GUI development? Database programming? Device drivers?

This course is a general introduction to standard parts of the C++ language. The course covers some techniques that are applicable to specific situations, but doesn't concentrate on any specific area of application or system programming. This course helps specialised programmers recognise how C++ can help them achieve their programming goals.

What topics are not covered in depth in this course?

C++ is a very complicated language, compared to C, Pascal, COBOL or FORTRAN. Although the course does not have enough time to cover the following topics in-depth, it does touch on them briefly:

• Type conversion
• Bit manipulation operators
• Static data and functions
• Structures, unions and enumerations
• Inline functions
• Multiple inheritance

Most of the material not covered either parallels or extends material we do cover.

Once you have gained the basic knowledge this course provides, you should find it easier to extend your knowledge on your own. It will definitely be easier than if you had tried on your own to learn the entire language "from scratch."

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

• 397, C++ Best Practices and Design Patterns: Hands-On delves into advanced C++ topics such as application libraries and design patterns. It is the most advanced course in Learning Tree's C++ curriculum.
• 419, C# Programming: Hands-On  offers complete coverage of C#, including the core and more advanced parts of the language itself. You gain fundamental experience in how C# is used as part of the .NET Framework.
• 424, Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA): A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction  provides a foundation in the concepts, modeling, design and implementation of SOA..
• 1801, Modern Object-Oriented Software Design: Hands-On offers the skills to deliver software on time and within budget using iterative and Agile strategies

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