Frequently Asked Questions

What is this course about? This course covers the professional use of C++ as it applies to design patterns, use of the ANSI/ISO Standard Library, and use of a modern professional toolset, including an object database. Specific advanced language features also covered in the course are: RTTI, templates and exceptions. You also learn the three key components in becoming a skilled C++ programmer: C++ knowledge: especially the new ANSI/ISO C++ features and how and when to use them Design skills: including how to create object-oriented (OO) designs and convert them into C++ solutions, including standard design patterns and coding idioms Library and tool knowledge: effective use of off-the-shelf libraries and tools, both standard and proprietary productivity gains and enhanced reliability Who will benefit from this course? This course benefits software developers who have recently completed an introductory C++ course. It also benefits more experienced, self-taught programmers through its coverage of OO software design, modern tools and libraries. What background do I need? You should have a basic knowledge of C++ programming. You should understand the following concepts as implemented in C++: Classes and objects Inheritance Polymorphism or virtual functions Function overloading Studies show that it takes about six months to become a competent C++ programmer. You need to have experience equivalent to one or more of the following: Course 327, C++ Programming: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, plus an additional 1 to 2 months' C++ programming experience Six months' full-time C++ programming experience What complier, tools and libraries does the course use? This course employs the following compiler, tools and libraries: Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Together Control Center (UML CASE tool) How much time is spent on each topic? Content Hours Object-oriented concepts 1.5 UML 1.0 Development tools 1.0 C++ idioms 1.0 Templates 1.5 Run-time type identification 1.0 Exception handling 1.5 Standard Template Library (STL) 6.0 Standard I/O library (iostream) and strings 1.5 Design patterns 6.0 Serialisation 0.5 Object databases 0.5 Times, including the workshops, are estimates; exact times may vary according to the needs of each class. What are the hands-on exercises like? Participants bring a poorly structured application up to professional standards using design patterns, standard and third party libraries, as well as advanced coding techniques. Approximately 50 percent of the course time is spent on the hands-on exercises. You are provided with two sets of instructions for each exercise in your application-building process. This enables both inexperienced and experienced participants to succeed at their own level. Additional exercises are also provided for highly experienced students. How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses? This course is an ideal follow-on from any of the following: 424, Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA): A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction  216, UML 2: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction  323, Object-Oriented Analysis and Design Using UML: Hands-On  If you are interested in learning more about object-oriented (OO) applications, Course 318, Building Java Enterprise Applications with Design Patterns: Hands-On, helps Java and C++ developers build OO applications that are easy to maintain and understand yet adaptable to changing requirements.