What is C++?

• Lightweight-abstraction programming language
• Lets you use the right abstractions at the right time

C++ Design Pillars

• Don't leave room for a language between C++ and assembly.
• Abstractions should have as little cost as possible.

C++ is not C

• C++ is backwards compatible with C, so it's easy to think that you can build your C++ understanding directly on top of your C understanding
• However, while valid C code is often valid C++, good C is is almost never good C++ code. Over the years C++ continues to diverge from C
• For example, when we teach you best practice, we will not be using:
  • malloc
  • free
  • C-style arrays
  • C-style strings
• And will be sometimes discouraging use of:
  • raw pointers (char *, int *)

Learning Resources

Will help you in a pinch (e.g. before exams and interviews)

Also covers newer stuff the Swan book doesn't

Comprehensive intro to C++ (>100 pages of exercises!)

+

Learning Resources

Good for looking up APIs and recalling language rules

DO NOT USE CPLUSPLUS.COM

abseil.io

Good for looking up APIs and getting tips on how to use C++

code.visualstudio.com

Documentation on how to use the course editor

Schedule & Structure

• See course outline for full course schedule
• Weekly teaching provided includes:
  • 4 hours of lectures
  • 1 hour of tutorial
  • 7+ hours of recommended practice and associated work

We may provide additional material and webinars to assist in your learning. While these will be recommended, they will not be required.

Assessment

Assignment due dates are subject to change (never earlier), so always see the assignment specification for more information

Assessment

• Final exam may be scaled
• Final exam:
  • Hurdle exam
• Assignments:
  • have an emphasis on testing
  • rely on version control (assumed knowledge)
  • have a late penalty outlined in the specification
• Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
  • Immediate zero for assignment.

Gitlab

This course is taught on gitlab.

For every tutorial (9) and every assignment (3) we will automatically deploy new repositories and subsequent changes to those repositories in your gitlab account.

E.G. For me personally: https://gitlab.cse.unsw.edu.au/z3418003/20t2-cs6771-tut01

Gitlab

If you are not familiar with git, or haven't used vlab in course before, we encourage you to check out the git instructions provided in the first tutorial.

If you're really out of your depth, you can always post on the forum. Your tutor will demonstrate a bit more of this in week 1.