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Anh Le and Elise Deitrick

Code and run your first C++ program in minutes without installing anything!

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Code and run your first C++ program in minutes without installing anything!

This course is designed for learners with limited coding experience, providing a solid foundation of not just C++, but core Computer Science topics that can be transferred to other languages. The modules in this course cover vectors, pointers, strings, and files. Completion of C++ Basics: Selection and Iteration before taking this course is recommended.

To allow for a truly hands-on, self-paced learning experience, this course is video-free. Assignments contain short explanations with images and runnable code examples with suggested edits to explore code examples further, building a deeper understanding by doing. You'll benefit from instant feedback from a variety of assessment items along the way, gently progressing from quick understanding checks (multiple choice, fill in the blank, and un-scrambling code blocks) to small, approachable coding exercises that take minutes instead of hours.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Vectors
Welcome to Week 1 of the C++ Basic Structures: Vectors, Pointers, Strings, and Files course. These assignments cover using vectors to store multiple pieces of data in a single variable and iterating over vectors or using built-in methods and functions to manipulate vectors. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.
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Pointers
Welcome to Week 2 of the C++ Basic Structures: Vectors, Pointers, Strings, and Files course. These assignments cover creating, referencing, and dereferencing pointers. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.
Strings
Welcome to Week 3 of the C++ Basic Structures: Vectors, Pointers, Strings, and Files course. These assignments cover storing multiple characters or text in a string and using built-in methods and functions to manipulate strings. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.
Files
Welcome to Week 4 of the C++ Basic Structures: Vectors, Pointers, Strings, and Files course. These assignments cover importing and exporting large pieces of data from text and CSV files. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Builds a strong foundation for beginners on the subject of C++ in computer science
Develops core computer science topics that can be transferred to other programming languages
Suitable for learners with limited coding experience
Covers essential C++ structures, including vectors, pointers, strings, and files
Provides hands-on, self-paced learning experience with instant feedback

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Reviews summary

Well-received introduction to c++ structures

Learners say this course is a well-structured and beginner-friendly introduction to C++ data structures. It employs hands-on assignments that offer real-world application, making it a great choice for those who want to improve their C++ proficiency. Students praise the engaging teaching style and coding exercises, which provide ample opportunity for practice. While some report occasional technical issues, overall, the course is highly recommended for those looking to strengthen their understanding of C++ basics.
Concepts are introduced in a focused and easy-to-follow manner.
"very good course with an effective and focused way of teaching"
"e​xceptional"
"basic to advanced learning"
Suitable for learners with little to no prior C++ experience.
"Beginner-friendly course"
"a great introduction to C++"
"This is a beginner-friendly course"
Practice exercises reinforce learning and provide feedback.
"coding while reading"
"good exercies"
"really challenging and I definitely learned a lot from this course"
Engaging assignments ground learning in practical application.
"True hands on"
"Assignments are related to real worlds problems"
"practical approach makes it different from others"
Some learners experienced minor technical difficulties.
"some coding exercises are a little buggy"
"my only issue is how laggy the terminal is"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in C++ Basic Structures: Vectors, Pointers, Strings, and Files with these activities:
Watch video tutorials on C++ basics
Watch video tutorials on C++ basics to supplement your learning and gain a deeper understanding of the core concepts covered in this course.
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Show steps
  • Find a reputable online platform or resource that offers video tutorials on C++ basics
  • Choose a tutorial that covers the specific topics you need to learn or review
  • Watch the tutorial and take notes on key concepts and examples
  • Try out the examples and exercises provided in the tutorial
  • Repeat steps 2-4 for additional tutorials on other C++ basics topics
Create a cheat sheet or summary of C++ basics
Create a cheat sheet or summary of C++ basics to reinforce your learning and have a quick reference guide for important concepts.
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Show steps
  • Gather your notes, textbooks, and other learning materials
  • Identify the key concepts and topics that you need to include
  • Organize the information in a logical and concise way
  • Create your cheat sheet or summary using a tool like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or a note-taking app
  • Review and update your cheat sheet or summary as you progress through the course
Practice writing and debugging C++ code
Write and debug simple C++ programs to practice the basics of the language and reinforce your understanding of vectors, pointers, strings, and files.
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Show steps
  • Set up your C++ development environment
  • Write a simple C++ program to print "Hello, world!"
  • Add error handling to your program
  • Debug your program using a debugger
  • Practice writing and debugging more complex C++ programs
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Participate in online coding challenges or hackathons
Participate in online coding challenges or hackathons to test your skills, learn from others, and expand your knowledge of C++.
Browse courses on C++ Programming
Show steps
  • Find online coding challenges or hackathons that align with your skill level and interests
  • Register for the challenge or hackathon
  • Prepare for the challenge or hackathon by practicing and reviewing C++ basics
  • Participate in the challenge or hackathon and try to solve the problems or build the projects
  • Review your performance and learn from your mistakes
Build a simple C++ project
Build a simple C++ project to apply your knowledge of vectors, pointers, strings, and files and gain practical experience in C++ programming.
Show steps
  • Identify a simple project idea that you can complete within the given time frame
  • Design and plan your project, including the features and functionality you want to implement
  • Implement your project using C++ and the concepts covered in this course
  • Test and debug your project to ensure that it works correctly
  • Document your project, including a description of the project, the code, and any challenges you encountered
Contribute to open-source C++ projects
Contribute to open-source C++ projects to gain experience in real-world C++ development and collaborate with other developers.
Show steps
  • Find open-source C++ projects that align with your interests and skill level
  • Install the project's dependencies and set up your development environment
  • Review the project's documentation and codebase
  • Identify an area where you can contribute, such as fixing a bug or implementing a new feature
  • Make changes to the project's codebase and submit a pull request

Career center

Learners who complete C++ Basic Structures: Vectors, Pointers, Strings, and Files will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work closely with other engineers and stakeholders to translate business requirements into functional software solutions. The concepts covered in this course, such as vectors, pointers, strings, and files, are essential for Software Engineers to effectively manage and manipulate data within software applications. By taking this course, learners can gain a solid foundation in these core C++ concepts, enhancing their ability to develop efficient and robust software solutions.
Computer Programmer
Computer Programmers design, develop, and maintain computer software. This course will provide Computer Programmers with a solid foundation in C++ data structures and file handling, which are essential for managing and manipulating data within software applications. By gaining proficiency in these concepts, learners can enhance their ability to develop efficient and robust software solutions.
Data Engineer
Data Engineers design, build, and maintain data infrastructure to support data-driven decision-making. This course will provide Data Engineers with a solid foundation in C++ data structures and file handling, which are essential for managing and processing large datasets. By gaining proficiency in these concepts, learners can enhance their ability to design and implement efficient data pipelines and data storage solutions.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists translate vast amounts of raw data into actionable business insights. They spend most of their time collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. This course will help Data Scientists gain proficiency in managing large datasets and extracting relevant information using C++ vectors, pointers, strings, and files. The skills and knowledge gained in this course can serve as a valuable foundation for managing data-intensive projects and deriving meaningful insights for decision-making.
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine Learning Engineers design, develop, and maintain machine learning models to solve complex problems. This course will provide Machine Learning Engineers with a solid foundation in C++ data structures and file handling, which are essential for managing and manipulating large datasets used in machine learning. By gaining proficiency in these concepts, learners can enhance their ability to develop and implement efficient machine learning solutions.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make informed decisions. This course will provide Data Analysts with a solid foundation in C++ data structures and file handling, which are essential for managing and analyzing large datasets. By gaining proficiency in these concepts, learners can enhance their ability to extract meaningful insights from data, enabling them to provide valuable recommendations for business growth and improvement.
Systems Analyst
Systems Analysts design and implement computer systems to meet the needs of organizations. This course will provide Systems Analysts with a solid foundation in C++ data structures and file handling, which are essential for managing and manipulating data within complex systems. By gaining proficiency in these concepts, learners can enhance their ability to design and implement effective and efficient systems solutions.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts use financial data to evaluate investments and make recommendations to clients. This course will provide Financial Analysts with a solid foundation in C++ data structures and file handling, which are essential for managing and analyzing large financial datasets. By gaining proficiency in these concepts, learners can enhance their ability to develop and implement financial models, enabling them to make informed investment decisions.
Quantitative Analyst
Quantitative Analysts use mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data and make investment recommendations. This course will provide Quantitative Analysts with a solid foundation in C++ data structures and file handling, which are essential for managing and manipulating large financial datasets. By gaining proficiency in these concepts, learners can enhance their ability to develop and implement complex quantitative models, enabling them to make informed investment decisions.
Biostatistician
Biostatisticians use statistical methods to design and analyze studies in the health sciences. This course will provide Biostatisticians with a solid foundation in C++ data structures and file handling, which are essential for managing and analyzing large healthcare datasets. By gaining proficiency in these concepts, learners can enhance their ability to develop and implement statistical models, enabling them to derive meaningful insights from medical research.
Database Administrator
Database Administrators manage and maintain databases, ensuring that data is stored, organized, and accessed efficiently. This course will provide Database Administrators with a solid foundation in C++ data structures and file handling, which are essential for managing and manipulating large datasets. By gaining proficiency in these concepts, learners can enhance their ability to design and implement efficient database systems, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.
Web Developer
Web Developers design, develop, and maintain websites and web applications. They work with a variety of technologies, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and C++. This course will provide Web Developers with a solid foundation in C++ data structures and file handling, which are essential for building dynamic and interactive web applications. By mastering these concepts, learners can enhance their ability to manage complex data structures and improve the performance and functionality of their web applications.
IT Consultant
IT Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on the use of technology. This course will provide IT Consultants with a solid foundation in C++ data structures and file handling, which are essential for understanding and managing complex IT systems. By gaining proficiency in these concepts, learners can enhance their ability to provide valuable insights and recommendations to clients, enabling them to leverage technology effectively.
Market Researcher
Market Researchers collect, analyze, and interpret market data to help businesses understand their customers and make informed decisions. This course will provide Market Researchers with a solid foundation in C++ data structures and file handling, which are essential for managing and analyzing large market research datasets. By gaining proficiency in these concepts, learners can enhance their ability to extract valuable insights from customer data, enabling them to develop effective marketing strategies.
Actuary
Actuaries use mathematical and statistical techniques to assess risk and uncertainty in various fields, such as insurance, finance, and healthcare. This course will provide Actuaries with a solid foundation in C++ data structures and file handling, which are essential for managing and analyzing large datasets. By gaining proficiency in these concepts, learners can enhance their ability to develop and implement actuarial models, enabling them to assess and quantify risk effectively.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in C++ Basic Structures: Vectors, Pointers, Strings, and Files.
This comprehensive book offers in-depth coverage of the C++ programming language, providing a solid foundation for understanding the concepts covered in this course. It is particularly useful for learners with limited coding experience.
This comprehensive guide covers the powerful features of C++ templates, which are essential for writing generic and reusable code. It is particularly useful for learners who want to delve deeper into the advanced features of the language.
This comprehensive textbook covers a wide range of data structures and algorithms in C++. It is an excellent resource for learners who want to expand their knowledge and skills in these areas.
This authoritative book is written by the creator of C++ and provides a comprehensive overview of the language. It is an excellent reference for learners who want to gain a deep understanding of the language's history, design, and evolution.
This accessible book provides a solid foundation in object-oriented programming concepts and their implementation in C++. It is useful for learners who want to develop their skills in designing and programming complex systems.
This practical guide covers the fundamentals of concurrency in C++. It is useful for learners who want to develop their skills in writing multithreaded and parallel programs.
This comprehensive guide provides a set of best practices and guidelines for writing clean, maintainable, and efficient C++ code. It valuable resource for learners who want to improve the quality of their code.
This seminal work provides a comprehensive treatment of fundamental algorithms and data structures. It valuable resource for learners who want to deepen their understanding of these concepts.

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