C++ For Embedded Developers (2023-03-20 - 2023-03-23)#
Goal#
Give an idea how an experienced C programmer can benefit from the C++ toolcase. The following aspects are covered, accompanied with many exercises.
C++ is an object oriented language. That term alone has many facets, and a solid understanding of each is given. Constructors, destructors, automatic pointer/base-class conversion, late binding (“abstract”?), and all that.
C++ also brings a rich toolset in form of its standard library. After a short conceptual introduction, containers and algorithms are something that is immediately useful for non-OO programmers.
C++ does not stop there; starting from its 2011 definition, the language has undergone a major revolution. An overview is given.
Work Environment#
Preferred: Ubuntu under Windows (WSL)#
I suggest you use the Windows Subsystem For Linux (WSL2) (Microsoft documentation here). This sets up a virtualized Ubuntu inside Windows, together with all interoperability wazoo.
When installed, open a Ubuntu terminal, and install the software that is required for this training.
$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt install git build-essential cmake libgtest-dev libgmock-dev
Unsupported Environments#
It is also possible to setup a Linux-like environment on native Windows, using the following emulation layers:
You may use these, but be warned that there might not exist enough trainer-side knowledge to help you out if anything goes wrong.
Skeleton Project Setup#
Follow the instructions in the course project README to setup the initial version of the course project.
Day 1#
Classes, Objects, Methods#
From Data Encapsulation
Exercises#
Miscellaneous#
One Definition Rule (ODR), and
static inlineclass members: static Member Variablesconstexprexplored. How is it used to populate therodatasection and save RAM?Sample code: rodata.cpp
Global objects from different compilation units are initialized in unspecified order. See here.
Day 2#
Heavy Weight OO 💪#
Resource Management Pitfalls#
Exploring object copy when resources have to be explicitly managed: Object Copy (And Resource Management): There Be Dragons
Day 3#
R-Value References/Moving, And Managed Pointers#
A Little Concurrency#
Only if there is time (and fun): have a look at Multithreading, C++ Memory Model
Exercise#
Based upon an object oriented encapsulation for OS primitives (timers and GPIOs, mainly),
Sensors
A sensor abstract base class - an interface
A number of concrete sensor implementations
A configured set of those, measuring live data
Live data is posted via another interface
Display(s)
Another interface in the system
Display measurement values
Concrete implementation: a software PWM using a timer and a GPIO (as opposed to hardware PWM
Untold So Far#
C++ Standard Library#
Pointer Arithmetic Recap: Pointers and Arrays
Basic Algorithms
Sorted Array Algorithms
Sequential Containers
Associative Containers