C++ Programming

Introduction

This class is designed to meet the needs of beginning C++ programmers. The design is based on the introductory C++ programming classes that I have taught at the college level. The first 5 units of this course emphasize the basic syntax and structure of C++ programs. The students are taken from simple 5-10 line programs to programs requiring 50-100 lines of code to execute. In addition to the basic syntax, good design skills and testing skills are stressed.

The course can be futher customized, to include programming with MFC and DirectX. For more advanced students, these topics can serve as a way to grow their programming skills to a more advanced plane.

Materials

C++ compiler, an IDE based tool

Text

"C++ Primer," Lippman et al, Addison-Wesley

Optional:
"Beginning Visual C++ 6," Ivor Horton, Worx Press.
"Beginning DirectX 9," Wendy Jones, Premier Press.

Topics

Unit 1 – Introduction and a little history

• Introduction to this course
• Quick history of computing
• Development of programming languages
• Development of C and C++

Unit 2 – Program structure

• Outline of a simple program
• Converting text to a program
• Project structure

Unit 3 – Basic Syntax

• Declaring/Using simple variables
• Making decisions
• Loops
• Declaring/Using Arrays
• Functions
• Structures and Pointers

Unit 4 – Abstract Data Types (ADT) and Objects

• ADT -- what they are and how to build them
• Objects -- what they are and how to build them

Unit 5 – Fun with Objects

• Operator overloading
• Polymorphism
• Inheritance
• Templates

Unit 6 – Basics of Microsoft Foundation Class

• Why MFC?
• Simple interface programming
• Single Document Interface (SDI)
  
• Multi-Document Interface (MDI)
  

Unit 7 – Basics of DirectX

• Why DirectX
• DirectX Graphics
• DirectInput
• DirectPlay
• DirectSound/DirectMusic
• DirectShow
• DirectSetup