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C++ Basics

Selection and Iteration

Anh Le and Elise Deitrick

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

This course is designed for learners with no 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 printing, operators, iteration (i.e., loops), and selection (i.e., conditionals).

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

Basic Skills - Writing your first program!

Welcome to Week 1 of the C++ Basics: Selection and Iteration course. These assignments cover the concepts of printing, variables, and comments. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.

Operators

Welcome to Week 2 of the C++ Basics: Selection and Iteration course. These assignments cover the concepts of arithmetic operators (+, -, *, /, and %) and boolean operators (and, or, not) to manipulate data stored in variables. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.

Conditionals

Welcome to Week 3 of the C++ Basics: Selection and Iteration course. These assignments cover the concepts of making decisions using conditionals so your script can produce different output based on data. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.

Loops

Welcome to Week 4 of the C++ Basics: Selection and Iteration course. These assignments covers the different types of loops to repeat sections of your program without copying-and-pasting the same lines over-and-over again. 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 who want to master C++ programming

Provides a hands-on, self-paced learning experience through runnable code examples with suggested edits

Covers the core concepts of C++ programming, including printing, operators, iteration, and selection

Avoids the use of videos, which can be a distraction for some learners

Provides instant feedback through a variety of assessment items, such as multiple choice, fill in the blank, and coding exercises

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Reviews summary

C++ hands-on: selection & iteration

Learners say this course is largely positive and rate it engaging and well-paced. Students like that this course uses a hands-on approach and interactive assignments to teach the basics of C++ selection and iteration. It is designed primarily for beginners and provides plenty of opportunity to practice the concepts learned. Some students note that the difficulty of the exams can sometimes be greater than the learning materials would suggest, making it important to pay close attention to the details and requirements.

Emphasizes hands-on practice with exercises rather than videos.

"I learned a lot the course is designed in a way so that without any video content a beginner can learn easily."

"Thank you so much."

"interactive and easy to understand."

"It has an in-depth knowledge of everything being taught."

"Ever topic covered has a clear explanation and sample code, with lots of exercises for you to develop confidence with your skills."

Geared toward those new to C++.

"Great course for beginners!"

"I really love how the course is setup for hands-on practice rather than to follow some specific videos."

"An excellent course for a beginner to start C++ with!"

Students report mixed experiences with the Codio platform used for exercises.

"integration with Codio doesn't work"

"Codio platform is rigid"

"will penalise you for even the tiniest mistake (and non mistake)."

Some learners encountered frustrations with some of the exercise challenges.

"The exercise is too punishing."

"Not allowing to improve before submit."

"Without video, this course is just like Code Academy."

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for C++ Basics: Selection and Iteration. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete C++ Basics: Selection and Iteration will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Developer

Game Developers are responsible for designing and developing video games. They work with a variety of technologies, including C++, Java, and Unreal Engine, to create games that are both fun and engaging. This course can help build a foundation in C++, which is a widely used language for developing video games. By learning the basics of C++, learners can gain a better understanding of how video games are developed and how to write efficient and effective code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for developing and maintaining computer software. They work with a variety of programming languages, frameworks, and tools to build software that meets the needs of users. This course can help build a foundation in C++ programming, which is a widely used language for developing software in a variety of industries. By learning the basics of C++, learners can gain a better understanding of how software is developed and how to write efficient and effective code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Embedded Software Engineer

Embedded Software Engineers are responsible for designing and developing software for embedded systems. They work with a variety of hardware and software components to create systems that are both reliable and efficient. This course can help build a foundation in C++, which is a widely used language for developing embedded software. By learning the basics of C++, learners can gain a better understanding of how embedded systems are developed and how to write efficient and effective code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Software Engineer

Web Developer

Web Developers are responsible for designing and developing websites and web applications. They work with a variety of technologies, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP, to create websites that are both functional and visually appealing. This course can help build a foundation in C++, which can be used to develop web applications. By learning the basics of C++, learners can gain a better understanding of how web applications are developed and how to write efficient and effective code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts are responsible for designing and developing software systems that meet the needs of organizations. They work with a variety of stakeholders to gather requirements, design solutions, and implement systems. This course can help build a foundation in C++, which is a widely used language for developing software systems. By learning the basics of C++, learners can gain a better understanding of how software systems are developed and how to write efficient and effective code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers are responsible for designing and developing complex systems, such as computer networks, telecommunications systems, and defense systems. They work with a variety of stakeholders to gather requirements, design solutions, and implement systems. This course can help build a foundation in C++, which is a widely used language for developing complex systems. By learning the basics of C++, learners can gain a better understanding of how complex systems are developed and how to write efficient and effective code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Mobile App Developer

Mobile App Developers are responsible for designing and developing mobile applications. They work with a variety of technologies, including C++, Java, and Swift, to create apps that are both functional and visually appealing. This course can help build a foundation in C++, which can be used to develop mobile applications. By learning the basics of C++, learners can gain a better understanding of how mobile apps are developed and how to write efficient and effective code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile App Developer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help organizations make informed decisions. They work with a variety of tools and techniques to extract insights from data. This course can help build a foundation in C++, which is a powerful language for data analysis. By learning the basics of C++, learners can gain a better understanding of how data is processed and analyzed, and how to write efficient and effective code for data-intensive tasks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help organizations make informed decisions. They work with a variety of tools and techniques to extract insights from data. This course can help build a foundation in C++, which is a powerful language for data analysis. By learning the basics of C++, learners can gain a better understanding of how data is processed and analyzed, and how to write efficient and effective code for data-intensive tasks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining databases. They work with a variety of database systems, including MySQL, Oracle, and SQL Server, to ensure that data is stored, processed, and retrieved efficiently. This course can help build a foundation in C++, which can be used to develop database applications. By learning the basics of C++, learners can gain a better understanding of how databases are managed and how to write efficient and effective code for database-intensive tasks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Data Engineer

Data Engineers are responsible for designing and building data pipelines that collect, process, and store data. They work with a variety of data sources and technologies to create data pipelines that are both efficient and reliable. This course can help build a foundation in C++, which is a powerful language for data processing. By learning the basics of C++, learners can gain a better understanding of how data pipelines are built and how to write efficient and effective code for data-intensive tasks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts are responsible for testing and evaluating software to ensure that it meets quality standards. They work with a variety of software development tools to identify and fix bugs. This course can help build a foundation in C++, which is a widely used language for developing software. By learning the basics of C++, learners can gain a better understanding of how software is developed and how to test and evaluate it for quality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for creating documentation for software and other technical products. They work with a variety of stakeholders to gather information and write documentation that is both clear and concise. This course can help build a foundation in C++, which is a widely used language for developing software. By learning the basics of C++, learners can gain a better understanding of how software is developed and how to write technical documentation that is both accurate and easy to understand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists are responsible for conducting research in the field of computer science. They work with a variety of theories and techniques to develop new algorithms and technologies. This course can help build a foundation in C++, which is a widely used language for developing software. By learning the basics of C++, learners can gain a better understanding of how computers work and how to develop new technologies.

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Actuary

Actuaries are responsible for assessing and managing risk for insurance companies and other financial institutions. They work with a variety of statistical and financial models to evaluate risk and determine insurance premiums. This course may help build a foundation in C++, which can be used to develop actuarial models. By learning the basics of C++, learners can gain a better understanding of how actuarial models are developed and how to write efficient and effective code for actuarial tasks.

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Reading list

We've selected 12 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++ Basics: Selection and Iteration.

C++ Primer

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This comprehensive book provides a deep dive into the intricacies of C++ programming, including detailed explanations of its core concepts and advanced features. It valuable reference for those seeking a thorough understanding of the language.

C++ Primer

Paperback

The Art of Computer Programming

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While not specifically about C++, this classic work on computer science provides a deep dive into fundamental algorithms and data structures. Understanding these concepts can enhance one's understanding of C++'s underlying principles and improve coding practices.

C++ Basics

Selection and Iteration

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

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Reviews summary

C++ hands-on: selection & iteration

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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