C++ Learning Journey

A comprehensive collection of C++ examples, exercises, and projects documenting my journey through C++ Primer 5th Edition and beyond.

📚 Overview

This repository represents my systematic approach to learning C++ through hands-on practice. Each chapter and concept is thoroughly explored with practical examples, ensuring deep understanding of both fundamental and advanced C++ concepts.

🎯 Learning Path

Phase 1: C++ Primer 5th Edition (Current)

• Status: In Progress
• Focus: Core language features, STL, modern C++ practices
• Approach: Chapter-by-chapter with practical examples

Future Phases (Planned)

• Phase 2: Effective C++ Series (Scott Meyers)
• Phase 3: Professional C++ (Advanced topics)
• Phase 4: Design Patterns in C++

📁 Project Structure

cppPrimer/
├── chapters/                    # C++ Primer 5th Edition examples
│   ├── 5/                      # Basic language features
│   ├── 6/                      # Functions and debugging
│   ├── 7/                      # Classes and objects
│   ├── 7.3/                    # Advanced class features
│   ├── 8-streams/              # I/O streams
│   ├── 9-containers-and-strings/ # STL containers
│   └── _10-generic-algorithms/ # Generic algorithms
├── projects/                    # Real-world applications
├── subjects/                    # Specialized topics
├── tests/                       # Testing examples
└── cool_finds/                  # Interesting discoveries

🚀 Key Features

Modern C++ Focus

• C++11/14/17/20 features throughout
• Lambda expressions and functional programming
• Smart pointers and RAII principles
• Range-based for loops and auto keyword
• Spaceship operator (<=>) examples

Comprehensive Coverage

• STL Containers: vectors, lists, maps, sets, queues, stacks
• Generic Algorithms: sort, find, transform, accumulate
• Function Objects: lambdas, bind, function pointers
• I/O Operations: file streams, string streams, iterators
• Class Design: constructors, operators, inheritance

Practical Applications

• Library management system
• Phone number validation
• Balanced brackets checker
• Real-time console applications
• Data processing pipelines

🛠️ Development Environment

• Editor: Neovim with custom C++ setup
• Compiler: Modern C++ compiler with full C++20 support
• Build System: Make/CMake integration
• Language Server: clangd for IntelliSense
• Debugging: GDB/LLDB integration

📖 Chapter Highlights

Chapter 5: Basic Language Features

• Exception handling with try-catch blocks
• String processing and validation
• Control flow and decision making

Chapter 6: Functions

• Function overloading and default arguments
• Debug macros and preprocessor directives
• Recursive function implementations
• Reference parameters and return types

Chapter 7: Classes

• Class design principles
• Constructors and destructors
• Operator overloading
• Friend functions and classes
• Sales data management system

Chapter 8: I/O Streams

• File input/output operations
• String stream processing
• Data validation and formatting
• Error handling in streams

Chapter 9: Containers and Strings

• STL container operations
• String manipulation and processing
• Iterator safety and best practices
• Container adapters (stack, queue)

Chapter 10: Generic Algorithms

• Lambda expressions and closures
• Algorithm customization
• Iterator adapters (back_inserter, etc.)
• Function objects and bind
• Partitioning and sorting algorithms

🎮 Interactive Projects

Real-time Applications

• Console Ticker: Real-time character animation
• Grid Visualizer: Dynamic grid manipulation
• Library Search: Interactive book management

Data Processing

• Phone Number Validator: Input validation and formatting
• Balanced Brackets: Algorithm implementation
• Word Finder: Text processing utilities

System Design

• Transaction Processing: Sales data management
• Person Management: Object-oriented design
• Debug System: Comprehensive logging framework

🔧 Technical Skills Demonstrated

Modern C++ Features

// Lambda expressions
auto lambda = [](const std::string &val) {
    std::cout << "Value: " << val << std::endl;
};

// Range-based for loops
for (const auto &str : my_strings) {
    // Process each string
}

// Spaceship operator (C++20)
auto operator<=>(const Point &other) const {
    if (auto cmp = x <=> other.x; cmp != 0) {
        return cmp;
    }
    return y <=> other.y;
}

STL Mastery

// Generic algorithms with lambdas
std::transform(numbers.begin(), numbers.end(),
               std::back_inserter(squared_nums),
               [](int num) { return num * num; });

// Container operations
std::erase_if(my_strings, [](int num) { return num % 2; });

Class Design

class Sales_data {
public:
    // Modern constructors
    Sales_data() = default;
    Sales_data(const Sales_data &) = default;
    
    // Operator overloading
    Sales_data &operator+=(const Sales_data &rhs);
    
    // Friend functions
    friend std::ostream &operator<<(std::ostream &os, const Sales_data &item);
};

📈 Learning Outcomes

Programming Skills

• ✅ Modern C++ syntax and features
• ✅ STL containers and algorithms
• ✅ Object-oriented design principles
• ✅ Memory management and RAII
• ✅ Template programming basics
• ✅ Exception handling and error management

Development Skills

• ✅ Neovim/Vim proficiency
• ✅ Command-line development
• ✅ Build system understanding
• ✅ Debugging and testing
• ✅ Code organization and documentation

Problem-Solving Skills

• ✅ Algorithm implementation
• ✅ Data structure usage
• ✅ System design thinking
• ✅ Performance considerations
• ✅ Code optimization

🎯 Career Benefits

This systematic approach to learning C++ provides:

1. Comprehensive Knowledge: Deep understanding of C++ fundamentals and advanced features
2. Practical Experience: Real-world project implementations
3. Modern Practices: Current C++ best practices and idioms
4. Tool Proficiency: Advanced development environment skills
5. Portfolio Material: Extensive code examples for interviews

🚀 Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Modern C++ compiler (GCC 10+, Clang 10+, MSVC 2019+)
• Neovim or compatible editor
• Make or CMake build system

Building Examples

# Navigate to any example directory
cd chapters/5/

# Compile with modern C++ standard
g++ -std=c++20 -Wall -Wextra main.cpp -o main

# Run the example
./main

Development Setup

# Clone the repository
git clone <repository-url>
cd cppPrimer

# Explore chapters
ls chapters/

# Build and run examples
make -C chapters/5/

📝 Notes

• Ongoing Project: This is a living document of my C++ learning journey
• Systematic Approach: Each concept is thoroughly explored with practical examples
• Modern Focus: Emphasis on C++11/14/17/20 features over legacy code
• Real Applications: Examples progress from simple to complex real-world scenarios

🤝 Contributing

This is a personal learning project, but suggestions and feedback are welcome! Feel free to:

• Report issues or bugs in examples
• Suggest improvements to code organization
• Share additional learning resources
• Discuss C++ best practices

📚 Resources

• Primary Text: C++ Primer 5th Edition (Stanley Lippman)
• Reference: C++ Standard Library Reference
• Tools: Neovim, clangd, GDB
• Community: C++ forums and Stack Overflow

---

"The best way to learn a programming language is to write code in it."

This repository demonstrates that principle through systematic, hands-on learning of C++ with modern practices and real-world applications.