Today We'll Talk Generally About C++ Development (Plus A Few Platform Specifics)

C++ Program Structure (and tools)
Today well talk generally about C++ development (plus a few platform specifics)
Well develop, submit, and grade code in Windows Its also helpful to become familiar with Linux
E.g., on shell.cec.wustl.edu
For example, running code through two different compilers can catch a lot more easy to make errors
CSE 332: C++ program structure and development environment
Writing a C++ Program

Visual Studio Eclipse emacs
editor
Makefile (ASCII text) 1 source file = 1 compilation unit
C++ source files (ASCII text) .cpp Programmer (you) C++ header files (ASCII text) .h readme (ASCII text)
Also: .C .cxx .cc Also: .H .hxx .hpp
What Goes Into a C++ Program?

Declarations: data types, function signatures, classes
Allows the compiler to check for type safety, correct syntax Usually kept in header (.h) files Included as needed by other files (to keep compiler happy)
class Simple { public: Simple (int i); void print_i (); private: int i_; }; typedef unsigned int UINT32; int usage (char * program_name); struct Point2D { double x_; double y_; };
Definitions: static variable initialization, function implementation

The part that turns into an executable program Usually kept in source (.cpp) files
void Simple::print_i () { cout << i_ is << i_ << endl; }
Directives: tell compiler (or precompiler) to do something

More on this later
A Very Simple C++ Program

#include <iostream> // precompiler directive
using namespace std; // compiler directive
// definition of function named main int main (int, char *[]) { cout << hello, world! << endl; return 0; }
What is #include <iostream> ? #include tells the precompiler to include a file Usually, we include header files
Contain declarations of structs, classes, functions
Sometimes we include template definitions

Varies from compiler to compiler Advanced topic well cover later in the semester
<iostream> is the C++ label for a standard header file for input and output streams
What is using namespace std; ?

The using directive tells the compiler to include code from libraries that have separate namespaces
Similar idea to packages in other languages
C++ provides a namespace for its standard library

Called the standard namespace (written as std) cout, cin, and cerr standard iostreams, and much more
Namespaces reduce collisions between symbols

Rely on the :: scoping operator to match symbols to them If another library with namespace mylib defined cout we could say std::cout vs. mylib::cout
Can also apply using more selectively:

E.g., just using std::cout
What is int main (int, char*[]) { ... } ?

Defines the main function of any C++ program Who calls main?
The runtime environment, specifically a function often called something like crt0 or crtexe
What about the stuff in parentheses?

A list of types of the input arguments to function main With the function name, makes up its signature Since this version of main ignores any inputs, we leave off names of the input variables, and only give their types
What about the stuff in braces?

Its the body of function main, its definition
Whats cout << hello, world! << endl; ?

Uses the standard output iostream, named cout
For standard input, use cin For standard error, use cerr
<< is an operator for inserting into the stream

A member operator of the ostream class Returns a reference to stream on which its called Can be applied repeatedly to references left-to-right
hello, world! is a C-style string

A 14-postion character array terminated by \0
endl is an iostream manipulator

Ends the line, by inserting end-of-line character(s) Also flushes the stream
What about return 0; ? The main function should return an integer

By convention it should return 0 for success And a non-zero value to indicate failure
The program should not exit any other way

Letting an exception propagate uncaught Dividing by zero Dereferencing a null pointer Accessing memory not owned by the program
Indexing an array out of range can do this Dereferencing a stray pointer can do this
A Slightly Bigger C++ Program

#include <iostream> using namespace std; int main (int argc, char * argv[]) { for (int i = 0; i < argc; ++i) { cout << argv[i] << endl; } return 0; }
int argc, char * argv[] A way to affect the programs behavior

Carry parameters with which program was called Passed as parameters to main from crt0 Passed by value (well discuss what that means)
argc
An integer with the number of parameters (>=1)
argv
An array of pointers to C-style character strings Its array-length is the value stored in argc The name of the program is kept in argv[0]
for (int i = 0; i < argc; ++i)

Standard C++ for loop syntax
Initialization statement done once at start of loop Test expression done before running each time Expression to increment after running each time
int i = 0
Declares integer i (scope is the loop itself) Initializes i to hold value 0 (not an assignment!)
i < argc
Tests whether or not were still inside the array! Reading/writing memory we dont own can crash the program (if were really lucky!)
++i
increments the array position (why prefix?)
{cout << argv[i] << endl;} Body of the for loop I strongly prefer to use braces with for, if, while, etc., even w/ single-statement body
Avoids maintenance errors when adding/modifying code Ensures semantics/indentation say same thing
argv[i]
An example of array indexing Specifies ith position from start of argv
Lifecycle of a C++ Program

xterm window
console/terminal/window Makefile
An
IDE
WebCAT E-mail Eclipse Visual Studio
debugger
make
make utility
turnin/checkin
Runtime/utility libraries (binary) .lib .a .dll .so
Programmer (you)
precompiler compiler
C++ source code
gcc, etc.
compiler
link
linker executable program
object code (binary, one per compilation unit) .o
Development Environment Studio

Well follow a similar format most days in the course
Around 30 minutes of lecture and discussion Then about 60 minutes of studio time Except for reviews before midterm/final, and midterm itself
In the studios, please work in groups of 2 or 3

Exercises are posted on the course web page Record your answers to the exercises, and post to the course message board (as a reply to my message there) when youre done Well migrate throughout the studio to answer questions
Use studio time to develop skills and understanding

A good chance to explore ideas you can use for the labs Exams will test understanding of the studio material Youre encouraged to try variations beyond the exercises

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C++ Program Structure (and tools)

CSE 332: C++ program structure and development environment

Writing a C++ Program

Makefile (ASCII text) 1 source file = 1 compilation unit

Also: .C .cxx .cc Also: .H .hxx .hpp

CSE 332: C++ program structure and development environment

What Goes Into a C++ Program?

Definitions: static variable initialization, function implementation

Directives: tell compiler (or precompiler) to do something

CSE 332: C++ program structure and development environment

A Very Simple C++ Program

using namespace std; // compiler directive

CSE 332: C++ program structure and development environment

Sometimes we include template definitions

What is using namespace std; ?

C++ provides a namespace for its standard library

Namespaces reduce collisions between symbols

Can also apply using more selectively:

What is int main (int, char*[]) { ... } ?

What about the stuff in parentheses?

What about the stuff in braces?

Whats cout << hello, world! << endl; ?

<< is an operator for inserting into the stream

hello, world! is a C-style string

endl is an iostream manipulator

CSE 332: C++ program structure and development environment

What about return 0; ? The main function should return an integer

The program should not exit any other way

A Slightly Bigger C++ Program

CSE 332: C++ program structure and development environment

int argc, char * argv[] A way to affect the programs behavior

for (int i = 0; i < argc; ++i)

Lifecycle of a C++ Program

Runtime/utility libraries (binary) .lib .a .dll .so

C++ source code

object code (binary, one per compilation unit) .o

CSE 332: C++ program structure and development environment

Development Environment Studio

In the studios, please work in groups of 2 or 3

Use studio time to develop skills and understanding

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