C++ Advanced Concepts

Lecture Overview

• Continuation of Part 1
• Focus on advanced C++ topics: pointers, object-oriented programming (OOP), structures, classes, method overloading, overriding, and virtual methods.

Pointers

• Definition: Pointers store memory addresses of variables.
• Syntax: int* ptr = &var; // ptr stores the address of var
• Printing Pointers:
  • To print value: std::cout << *ptr;
  • To print address: std::cout << ptr;
• Memory Sizes:
  • int - 4 bytes
  • float - 4 bytes
  • double - 8 bytes
  • char - 1 byte
  • Pointers can also point to arrays, functions, etc.
• Array and Pointers:
  • Arrays are pointers to their first element.
  • Example: int arr[5] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}; int* ptr = arr;

Functions and Pointers

• Passing Pointers to functions to modify the original variable.
• Passing by reference vs. Passing by value:
  • void func(int& a) vs. void func(int a)

Structures

• Syntax:

  struct Car {
    int wheels;
    std::string brand;
    std::string color;
    int maxSpeed;
    void printProperties();
  };
  

• Creating an instance: Car myCar;
• Accessing members: myCar.wheels = 4;

Classes

• Similar to structs but with access specifiers:
  • private for private members (not accessible outside class)
  • public for public members
• Class Constructor and Destructor:
  • Constructor: MyClass() { /*...*/ }
  • Destructor: ~MyClass() { /*...*/ }

Inheritance

• Deriving Classes:
  • Example:

  class Car : public Vehicle {
    std::string model;
    // Additional members and methods
  };
  

Encapsulation

• Private and Public Members:
  • Use private for sensitive data.
  • Use getters and setters for accessing private members.

Method Overloading

• Overloading: Same function name, different parameters.
  • Example:

  void func();
  void func(int a);
  void func(int a, float b);
  

Method Overriding

• Overriding: Redefining a superclass method in a subclass.
  • Use virtual keyword.
  • Example:

  class Vehicle {
    virtual void getClassType() { std::cout << "Vehicle"; }
  };
  class Car : public Vehicle {
    void getClassType() override { std::cout << "Car"; }
  };
  

Virtual Methods

• Definition: Methods that can be overridden in derived classes.
• Syntax: virtual void myMethod();
• Usage: Polymorphism in OOP.

Conclusion

• Recap of advanced C++ topics discussed.
• Open for emails or comments for questions and suggestions.
• Happy New Year!