C++ and Programming Basics for Non-Programmers

Course Objectives

This “skills-centric” course is about 50% hands-on lab and 50% lecture, designed to train attendees in basic coding with C++, coupling the most current, effective techniques with the soundest industry practices. Working in a hands-on learning environment, guided by our expert team, attendees will learn:

• Learn about basic computer architecture (memory, CPU, IO)
• Gain basic knowledge of the C++ programming language, features and functions in today’s development initiatives
• Gain hands-on practice using C++ basic syntax and functions to build basic software applications
• Learn about Object Oriented development and best practices
• Learn and apply core development functions such as dynamic memory, inheritance, value type / reference types, exceptions and more
• Get a light introduction to the C++ Standard Library
• Gain skills required to exit the course with a foundation in basic programming skills and C++ knowledge to carry forward to additional study and practice.

Course Prerequisites

This basic course is intended for anyone who is new to software development and wants, or needs, to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of coding and basics of C++ and object-oriented programming concepts.

Attendees might include:

• Technically-minded attendees who want or who want to begin the process of becoming an OO application developer
• Technical team members from non-development roles, re-skilling to move into software and application development roles within an organization
• Recent college graduates looking to apply their college experience to programming skills in a professional environment, or perhaps needing to learn the best practices and standards for programming within their new organization
• Technical managers tasked with overseeing programming teams, or development projects, where basic coding knowledge and exposure will be useful in project oversight or communications needs

Pre-Requisites

Before attending this course, students must have:

• Ability to use computers to start programs, open and save files, navigate application menus and interfaces
• Ability to understand logical concepts such as comparisons
• Understand number theory
• Ability to create, understand, and follow structured directions or step-by-step procedures
• Ability to understand and apply abstract concepts to concrete examples

Course Agenda

Please note that this list of topics is based on our standard course offering, evolved from typical industry uses and trends. We’ll work with you to tune this course and level of coverage to target the skills you need most.

Introduction to programming

• Basic computer architecture (memory, CPU, IO)
• Programming languages

Overview of  C++

C++ General Language Features

• Basic syntax
• Data types
• Program flow
• If/else
• Loops
• Intro Functions

Data Structures

• Structures
• Classes

Introduction to Object-Oriented Features

• Overview of O-O concepts
• Constructors/Destructors
• Static (class members)
• Constants
• Object Relationships
• Abstract Types

Dynamic Memory

• Object Lifecycle
• new
• delete

Inheritance

• Overview
• Base Classes
• Derived Classes
• Overriding members
• Abstract members and classes

Value Types vs Reference Types

Exceptions

• Throwing
• Catching
• Defining custom exceptions

Intro C++ Std Library

• I/O classes
• Collections
• Utility