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Intro to C++

Become a software engineer with C++. Starting from the basics, we guide you step by step along the way

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C++SDL

Start From Fundamentals

No previous programming experience is needed - we start from the basics.

We start from first principles, and build our knowledge step-by-step to create complete applications.

Understand Every Line of Code

No copying-and-pasting code in this course.

We explain every line of code we're using, so you understand exactly what is happening.

Use Professional Best Practices

Everything we create is organised and implemented using modern, professional practices.

This means the techniques we learn are usable in large, professional projects.

Focus on Transferrable Skills

We don't just explain what we're doing, but also why.

This builds transferrable skills, so you can take what you've learnt and apply them to your own projects.

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Free, unlimited access!

This course includes:

66 Lessons
Over 200 Quiz Questions
Capstone Project
Regularly Updated
Help and FAQ

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Chapter 1
C++ Fundamentals

Getting our machines set up for C++ development, and introducing the fundamental building blocks of programming - variables, functions, conditionals and loops.

Chapter 2
Functions and Loops

Discover how we can package our code into reusable functions that we can easily call. Then, learn how we can use loops to have our functions run repeatedly.

Creating and Calling C++ Functions

An introduction to functions - reusable blocks of code that we can use to break our application into smaller pieces.

The C++ Call Stack and Debugging Functions

An introduction to how our function calls create a call stack, and how we can navigate it in a debugger.

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Conditional Logic in C++

Use booleans and if statements to make our functions and programs more dynamic, choosing different execution paths

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Switch Statements

Learn an alternative way to write conditionals, which is often used when we want to take different paths based on a specific value

Function Return Values in C++

Unlock the ability to have our functions communicate with each other via their return values

Implicit Conversions in C++

Going into more depth on what is happening when a variable is used as a different type

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C++ Function Arguments

Making our C++ functions more useful and dynamic by providing them with variables to use in their execution

C++ Global and Local Scope

Learn more about how and when we can access variables, by understanding the importance of the scope in which they exist.

Forward Declarations in C++

Understand what function prototypes are, and learn how we can use them to let us order our code any way we want.

Creating Loops in C++

Learn how we can use loops to iterate over a block of code, executing it as many times as needed.

The Modulus (%) Operator in C++

Learn how we can use the modulus operator to get the "remainder" of integer division, and some common use cases.

Creating FizzBuzz in C++

An introduction to Challenges, and the first one - creating a C++ version of the FizzBuzz game.

Chapter 3
Classes

Classes are the fundamental feature of object oriented programming. In this chapter, we will see how we can set them up, and how we can use them to create the custom objects our game will need.

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What is a Class in C++

In this lesson, we will introduce classes - the fundamental feature of object oriented programming

Creating C++ Classes

Learn how we can create classes in C++, with variables and functions. Then, create objects from our classes

Restricting Access to C++ Classes

Make our classes easier to use and less prone to bugs: an introduction to encapsulation

Refactoring C++ Classes

See how we can use refactoring to keep our code clean, simple and easy to update

Class Constructors

Learn about a special type of function we can add to our classes, which we can use to control how our objects get created.

Chapter 4
Inheritance

See how we can use inheritance to organise our classes into a hierarchy, unlocking a massive range of possibilities for building more complex software

C++ Inheritance - Why its Useful

An introduction to the problem inheritance is designed to help us solve, and how we can use it to manage future complexity.

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Implementing C++ Inheritance

Learn how we can implement inheritance in C++, allowing our classes to share functionality

C++ Protected Class Members

Learn about protected members within classes, and how they differ from public and private members.

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Static Overloading in C++

See how we can create different versions of functions by using different parameter types

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Static Casting in C++ with `static_cast`

Take control of our data types, and convert between them explicitly using static casting.

C++ Scope when using Inheritance

Learn how the scoping rules apply when dealing with inheritance, and how we can bypass them with the Scope Resolution operator

Chapter 5
References and Pointers

An introduction to references and pointers, fundamental data types that let us control how our variables are stored and transferred

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C++ References - Why We Need Them

A deeper look at what is happening when we pass arguments to functions, and an introduction to the problem that references are designed to solve.

Creating References in C++

Learn how to create references, how to pass them to functions, and some of their limitations.

C++ Member Initialiser Lists

Discover a better way to initialise our objects from a constructor, which also allows us to fully use references within our classes.

C++ Pointers

An introduction to pointers - a more powerful type of reference, that carries some additional capabilities.

C++ Operator Precedence and the Arrow Operator

Learn more about pointers, and how we can use the arrow operator to make our code more readable

References and Pointers to Local C++ Variables

Explanation of automatic storage duration, and why it is important to consider when returning pointers and references from functions

Chapter 6
Polymorphism

An introduction to polymorphism - the key tool that let us build more complex programs whilst keeping our code simple.

C++ Polymorphism

A friendly introduction to polymorphism covering what it is, and why it is useful

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C++ Virtual Functions and Overrides

Using virtual functions to implement a simple example of polymorphism

C++ Static Casting with Pointers (`std::static_cast`)

Learn how we can "downcast" our pointers to let us access functions in derived object types.

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C++ Dynamic Casting (`std::dynamic_cast`)

An introduction to dynamic casting of pointers in C++ with examples using std::dynamic_cast

Chapter 7
The Preprocessor and the Linker

Go deeper on what is happening when we build our software. Learn how we can use the preprocessor to automatically modify our source code before it is compiled, and how the linker connects our program together.