Who Should Attend

This course is designed for developers with existing C++ experience who want to deepen their knowledge, including:

• Software Engineers working with C++
• Embedded and Systems Developers
• Developers working with performance-critical applications
• Technical Leads and Senior Engineers

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• understand and apply key C++17 language features
• use the Standard Template Library (STL) effectively
• write more efficient and maintainable C++ code
• select appropriate containers and algorithms for different scenarios
• improve performance using modern C++ techniques
• refactor and modernise existing C++ codebases

Course Content

Modern C++ and C++17 Overview

Participants begin by understanding how C++ has evolved and why modern practices are important.

Topics typically include:

• evolution of C++ and the role of C++17
• benefits of adopting modern C++ approaches
• common challenges in legacy codebases
• principles of writing clean, maintainable code

Key C++17 Language Features

Participants explore the most impactful features introduced in C++17.

Topics typically include:

• structured bindings
• if constexpr and compile-time logic
• std::optional, std::variant, and std::any
• filesystem library
• improvements to type deduction and initialisation
• other features that improve code clarity and safety

Mastering the Standard Template Library (STL)

This section focuses on using the STL effectively in real-world applications.

Topics typically include:

• overview of STL components: containers, algorithms, iterators
• choosing the right container for performance and use case
• using standard algorithms to simplify code
• understanding iterator patterns
• writing more expressive and efficient code using STL

Writing Efficient and Maintainable Code

Participants learn how to combine C++17 features and STL usage to improve code quality.

Topics typically include:

• reducing complexity through better abstractions
• writing expressive and readable code
• avoiding common mistakes with STL usage
• improving maintainability in larger codebases

Performance and Optimisation

This section focuses on achieving high performance while maintaining clarity.

Topics typically include:

• understanding performance characteristics of STL containers
• avoiding unnecessary copies and overhead
• efficient memory usage
• balancing performance with readability

Modern C++ Design Approaches

Participants explore how modern C++ supports better software design.

Topics typically include:

• applying modern design principles in C++
• structuring code for scalability and reuse
• improving modularity
• aligning design with modern language capabilities

Refactoring and Modernisation

Participants learn how to introduce modern C++ into existing systems.

Topics typically include:

• identifying opportunities for improvement
• refactoring legacy code using C++17 features
• replacing custom implementations with STL solutions
• improving consistency and maintainability

Practical Application and Exercises

The course includes hands-on exercises to reinforce learning.

Participants will:

• apply C++17 features in realistic scenarios
• use STL components to solve problems efficiently
• refactor and improve existing code examples
• explore different approaches and trade-offs

Delivery Approach

This is a hands-on, developer-focused programme designed to deliver immediate value.

It includes:

• instructor-led technical sessions
• guided coding exercises
• real-world examples and use cases
• discussion of best practices and trade-offs

Duration

3 Days (adjust if needed)

Delivery Options

This course can be delivered as:

• a public scheduled course
• a private team programme
• virtual delivery
• on-site classroom training

Outcomes

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

• use C++17 features and STL effectively in real-world development
• write cleaner, more efficient, and maintainable code
• improve performance using modern techniques
• modernise existing codebases
• apply best practices to complex C++ systems

Additional Notes

This programme is particularly valuable for teams working on performance-critical or long-lived systems, where efficient and maintainable code is essential.

Participants are encouraged to bring examples from their own codebases where possible, allowing the learning to be directly applied to their work.