Course Coverage and Prerequisite

Course content

In this comprehensive course, you will gradually learn modern C++, from the basics to advanced topics. Improve performance and syntax in your C++ applications by exploring chapters on data structures, algorithms, memory management, concurrency, and more.

See the breakdown of the chapters below:

• A Brief Introduction to C++ introduces some important properties of C++, such as zero-cost abstractions, value semantics, const correctness, explicit ownership, and error handling. It also discusses the drawbacks of C++.

• Essential C++ Techniques outlines automatic type deduction using auto, lambda functions, move semantics, and error handling.

• Analyzing and Measuring Performance will teach you how to analyze algorithmic complexity using big $O$ notation. The chapter also discusses how to profile your code to find hotspots and how to set up performance tests using Google Benchmark.

• Data Structures takes you through the importance of structuring data so that it can be accessed quickly. Containers from the standard library, such as std::vector, std::list, std::unordered_map, and std::priority_queue, are introduced. Finally, this chapter demonstrates how to use parallel arrays.

• Algorithms introduces the most important algorithms from the standard library. You will also learn how to use iterators and ranges, and how to implement your own generic algorithms.

• Ranges and Views will teach you how to compose algorithms using the Ranges library introduced in C++20. You will learn why views from the Ranges library are useful and some benefits of lazy evaluation.

• Memory Management focuses on safe and efficient memory management. This includes memory ownership, RAII, smart pointers, stack memory, dynamic memory, and custom memory allocators.

• Compile-Time Programming explains metaprogramming techniques using constexpr, consteval, and type traits. You will also learn how to use C++20 concepts and the new Concepts library. Finally, it provides practical examples of metaprogramming use cases, such as reflection.

• Essential Utilities will guide you through the Utilities library and how to benefit from types such as std::optional, std::any, and std::variant using compile-time programming techniques.

• Proxy Objects and Lazy Evaluation explores how proxy objects can be used to perform under-the-hood optimizations while preserving clean syntax. Additionally, some creative uses of operator-overloading are demonstrated.

• Concurrency covers the fundamentals of concurrent programming, including parallel execution, shared memory, data races, and deadlocks. It also includes an introduction to the C++ Thread support library, the Atomic library, and the C++ memory model.

• Coroutines and Lazy Generators contains a general introduction to the coroutine abstraction. You will learn how ordinary functions and coroutines are executed on the CPU using the stack and the heap. C++20 stackless coroutines are introduced and you will discover how to solve problems using generators.

• Asynchronous Programming with Coroutines introduces concurrent programming using stackless coroutines from C++20 and touches on the subject of asynchronous network programming using Boost.Asio.

• Parallel Algorithms starts by showing the complexity of writing parallel algorithms and how to measure their performance. It then demonstrates how to utilize standard library algorithms in a parallel context using execution policies.

Course prerequisites

The following prerequisites are recommended to ensure that the learners effectively understand and apply the concepts and techniques presented in the course:

1. Basic knowledge and experience in C++ programming and computer architecture.
2. Familiarity with programming concepts such as variables, data types, functions, loops, and conditionals.
3. Understanding of object-oriented programming (OOP) principles and concepts such as encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.
4. Familiarity with exception handling mechanisms in C++ and the ability to use them to handle runtime errors and exceptional situations.
5. Knowledge of data structures and algorithms commonly used in programming.
6. Basic understanding of memory management concepts such as stack and heap memory.

Get the most out of this course

To maximize your learning in this course, we suggest you practice the techniques and strategies on your projects. By applying what you learn in this course to real-world scenarios, you can better retain the information and develop your skills. You can also experiment with different techniques and strategies to see what works best for your particular use case. As you work on your own projects, you may encounter new challenges and opportunities to apply what you have learned, which can further deepen your understanding of modern C++ development.