COMP6771 Week 1.1

Course Outline

C++ is a more complex language than C
C++ code is much simpler than C code
C++ is a powerful, low level language, that allows you to write code that is fast, concise, and easy to understand
There is nothing between C++ and the hardware
- Unlike Java, Python, Javascript - which contain an abstraction layer
C++ has zero over-head abstractions - abstractions are a big part
- STL library has abstract containers, algorithms, and iterators
C++ has a principle of don't pay for what you don't use
- You can use OOP, but you're not obliged to pay the extra runtime cost for polymorphism
- Things automatically get freed up, but you don't pay for garbage collection
In this course we will focus on C++17

Operating systems
- Despite myths, C++ is as fast as C, but far more concise and easier to write correct code
Low latency software (eg. high frequency trading)
- C++ can have direct control over the hardware
Games
Just about anything you can think of

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 *)

In 2019 we will also emphasise preparing students for writing C++ in industry.
We will be teaching:
- A test framework this year (Catch2)
- A build system (bazel)
- Developer tooling (how to use a debugger)

Lecturer in charge:
- Hayden Smith
Lecturers:
- Hayden Smith
- Matthew Stark
- (Guest) Christopher Di Bella
Tutors:
- Adam Tizzone, Gaganjot Singh, Gary Bai, Ivor Metcalf, Hayden Smith, Matthew Phillips, Nathaniel Shead, Nicholas Malecki, Nicholas Mulianto, Simon Haddad

Your question-answer hierarchy

Questions that are non-personal will only be answered on the forum.

Books
- Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ (Bjarne Stroustrup, 2nd Edition - May 25, 2014) ( updated for C++11/C++14 ) An introduction to programming using C++ by the creator of the language. A good read, that assumes no previous programming experience, but is not only for beginners.
- Here is a list, but use with caution: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/388242/the-definitive-c-book-guide-and-list
Websites:
- We recommend: cppreference.com
- Do not use: cplusplus.com
  - It frequently is first in search results.
  - Frequently inaccurate and outdated

The course repository is at https://github.com/cs6771/comp6771
- Contains the lecture and tutorial code
- Will get updated as the course progresses

Please see course outline for full course schedule
Teaching provided includes:
- 3 hours of physically delivered lectures (recorded)
- 1 optional hour of online delivered lectures (catch up, guest lecturing)
- 1 hour of tutorial with your tutor

Final marks may be scaled
Final exam:
- Hurdle exam
- Done on CSE lab machines - prac and theory components
Assignments:
- Will have an emphasis on testing
- Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Immediate 0 for assignment.
- Version control knowledge is assumed and recommended
- Late penalties are 2% every hour off the maximum mark after due date

In your first tutorial your class will choose a class rep to represent your class to simplify feedback processes.

Top 10 performing students, pending an interview with Hayden, will be referred to a personal contact at Zoox for employment opportunities.