C and C based languages - Defining and using classes in C++

C and C based languages module C232

Defining and using classes in C++

Exercises, examples and other material relating to training module C232. This topic is presented on public courses Learning to program in C and C++, C++ for C Programmers, C and C++ Programming, Learning to program in C and C++, C and C++ Programming

Background

How to set up your own classes of objects in C++, and how to use those objects and also objects that are available to you from elsewhwere. We also introduce access levels in this module.

Articles and tips on this subject		updated
4565	Allocation of memory for objects in C++ - Stack v Heap In C++, memory is allocated to variables on a stack or on a heap. Allocated on the stack, the variable persists until the end of the block in which it's defined. Allocated on the heap, the memory containing the object persists until the end of your program, or until you delete the object. Stack memory ...	2015-10-31
4372	Template / design pattern for C++ constructor and accessors Would you believe I'm giving a C++ course on Monday, 29th December? If a customer wants a weekend or holiday time course, yes, we can arrange it! From this afternoon - a first example in C++ - [here]. I've defined the API to a class, the class itself and the first (test) program all in the one file ...	2014-12-30
4129	Simple OO demonstration in C++, comparison to Python From last week's quick introduction to C++ (a private course - half a day added on to the end of a C Programming course - an example of how C++ implements objects for a newcomer to C++ who's seen some Python. Firstly, in C++ you must predefine the API - the interface between the user and the class. ...	2013-07-15
3978	Teaching OO - how to avoid lots of window switching early on One of the major benefits of Object Oriented programming is the clear and sharp dividing lines it provides between the different sections of logic - where code dealing with one type of data is specified, written, stored and tested in different files to the code dealing with other types of data (or code ...	2013-01-19
3810	Reading files, and using factories to create vectors of objects from the data in C++ On our C++ courses, we concentrate on objects and object design. But we also take a wider look at topics such as references and templates that go to making the complete language, with sections covering changes to things like file handling from the underlying C language. I've just added a new example ...	2012-08-11
3721	Naming blocks of code, structures and Object Orientation - efficient coding in manageable chunks Soon after you start to program, you'll learn that you want to re-use code. And that re-use will sometimes come in the form of loops, and at other times in the form of named blocks of code which you'll call up from multiple places in your program, or indeed from multiple programmers. • A good ...	2012-05-12 (longer)
3716	Learning C++ - a design pattern for your first class From today's C++ Course - a new, clear example of a design pattern for a simple class, its headers, and a test harness - [here]. When using an Object Oriented language, design patterns are really useful. Essentially, they're a known and standard way of combining the features of the language in a convenstional ...	2012-05-05
3250	C++ - how we teach the language and the concepts behind the language When I'm teaching an object oriented language such as C++, I like to write code and demonstrate from scratch to my class, getting them to 'feed' me with application data and information so that I can show them how programs are really developed using the OO approach - both in general, and in the specific ...	2011-04-17
2577	Complete teaching example - C++, inheritance, polymorphism On yesterday's C++ course, I provided a final example which illustrated polymorphism, and showed how even the simple example was best written, split, ito no less that seven source files. 1. The main C++ source code - for my example, a simple demo test harness See http://www.wellho.net/resources/ex.php4?item=c051/further.cpp 2. ...	2010-10-30
2579	Creating, setting up and using objects in C++ Early on this week's C++ programming course (including the C fundamentals), I wrote a new and short example that defined and used a class of objects of type "Hotel". Really, this initial example was very much shorter than any real program you would write and it used a very limited number of the facilities, ...	2010-01-16
2578	Where are your objects stored in C++? If you declare a variable to be of an object type in C++ (and potentially do so with parameters), you're going to be assigning memory for the variables that it includes on the stack - i.e. within memory that will be lost when you exit the closure (block of code - function - method) in which you are defining ...	2010-01-16
1925	Introduction to Object Oriented Programming "Object Oriented Programming" is a whole new philosophy for programmers who have been writing short scripts for years, and it can be quite frightening to learn with all these new buzzwords like "overriding", "encapsulation" and "polymorphism" creeping in. It's a beautiful concept and a lovely approach, ...	2008-12-10 (longer)

Examples from our training material

a2.cpp	Array of objects of different types
a3.cpp	Inherited methods - test program
afuncs.cpp	Class use with accessory functions
allin1.cpp	Class definition and use all in one file
book.cpp	Class implementation code - book
book.inc	Class interface - book
dayfour.cpp	Creating objects on the stack or heap
demo1.cpp	Base class and subclass method definition
demo1.h	Base class and subclass header definition
demo2.cpp	Further base and subclass definition
demo2.h	Further base and subclass header definition
demomake	makefile for module c232
g_main.cpp	Fundamental use of classes example - C++
hcd.cpp	Class description with accessor functions
hellosurvey.cpp	Template for your first OO classes
hmain.cpp	First class in C++
hotel.cpp	Class member code
hotel.inc	Class descriptor
makefile	Compile / Load instructions for examples in this module
melksham.cpp	Class use with accessor functions
mylib.cpp	Main application calling constructors and destructors
objects_bothways.cpp	stack v heap - object persistance
table.cpp	code - the internals of the Table class
table.h	Definition of API of a class
tabletest.cpp	A test harness for the Table class
template.cpp	Design Pattern for class definition and test
transport.cpp	Hello c++ world - define and use an object / Compare to Python

Background information

Some modules are available for download as a sample of our material or under an Open Training Notes License for free download from [here].

Topics covered in this module

Defining classes through struct and class.
Member functions.
Constructors and Destructors.
Private, Protected and Public.
Exercise.

Complete learning

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