# Modern C++ Course (Basics → C++26)

A hands-on C++ course with **56 Google Test exercises** organized into **14 modules**, from your first functions to modern standard-library features.

## Requirements

- **CMake** 3.20+
- **C++ compiler** with C++23 support for later modules
  - Apple Clang 15+, GCC 13+, or MSVC 19.34+ recommended
- **CLion** (recommended) or any CMake-aware IDE
- Internet access on first configure (Google Test is fetched automatically)

## Quick Start (CLion)

1. Open this folder in CLion (`File → Open…`).
2. CLion detects `CMakeLists.txt` and configures automatically.
3. Pick an exercise target (e.g. `01_fundamentals_hello_world`) in the run configuration dropdown.
4. Implement the TODOs in the matching `src/*.cpp` file.
5. Run the test target until all assertions pass.

## Quick Start (Terminal)

```bash
cmake -S . -B build -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug
cmake --build build
ctest --test-dir build --output-on-failure
```

Run a single exercise:

```bash
cmake --build build --target 01_fundamentals_hello_world
./build/modules/01_fundamentals/01_fundamentals_hello_world
```

## Project Structure

```
cppc/
├── CMakeLists.txt              # Root project + Google Test
├── cmake/
│   ├── CourseExercise.cmake    # add_course_exercise() helper
│   └── CourseOptions.cmake     # Warnings and standards
└── modules/
    ├── 01_fundamentals/        # Types, operators, I/O
    ├── 02_control_flow/       # if, switch, loops
    ├── 03_functions/           # Functions and recursion
    ├── 04_arrays_and_strings/  # Arrays, string, vector
    ├── 05_pointers_and_references/
    ├── 06_oop_basics/          # Classes, inheritance
    ├── 07_stl_containers/
    ├── 08_stl_algorithms/
    ├── 09_cpp11/               # C++11 features
    ├── 10_cpp14/
    ├── 11_cpp17/
    ├── 12_cpp20/               # Concepts, ranges, <=>
    ├── 13_cpp23/               # expected, mdspan, format
    └── 14_cpp26/               # Frontier / C++26 direction
```

Each module contains:

- `README.md` — learning goals and exercise list
- `include/` — function and class declarations (your contract)
- `src/` — **your implementation** (start here)
- `test/` — Google Test files (do not edit unless extending)

## How to Study

1. Read the module `README.md`.
2. Open the exercise header to understand the required API.
3. Implement TODOs in the corresponding `src/` file.
4. Run that exercise’s test target in CLion or via CTest.
5. Move to the next exercise only when tests pass.

## Course Map

| Module | Topic | Exercises | C++ Standard |
|--------|-------|-----------|--------------|
| 01 | Fundamentals | 4 | C++17 |
| 02 | Control flow | 4 | C++17 |
| 03 | Functions | 4 | C++17 |
| 04 | Arrays & strings | 4 | C++17 |
| 05 | Pointers & references | 4 | C++17 |
| 06 | OOP basics | 4 | C++17 |
| 07 | STL containers | 4 | C++17 |
| 08 | STL algorithms | 4 | C++17 |
| 09 | C++11 | 4 | C++11 |
| 10 | C++14 | 4 | C++14 |
| 11 | C++17 | 4 | C++17 |
| 12 | C++20 | 4 | C++20 |
| 13 | C++23 | 4 | C++23 |
| 14 | C++26 frontier | 4 | C++23+ |

## CMake Options

| Option | Default | Description |
|--------|---------|-------------|
| `COURSE_BUILD_TESTS` | ON | Build Google Test exercise targets |
| `COURSE_WARNINGS_AS_ERRORS` | OFF | Treat warnings as errors |

Example:

```bash
cmake -S . -B build -DCOURSE_WARNINGS_AS_ERRORS=ON
```

## CLion Tips

- Use **Run | Run…** and filter by module prefix (e.g. `12_cpp20`).
- Enable **Google Test** integration in CLion to see individual tests in the tree view.
- Set breakpoints in your `src/` implementation while debugging failing tests.
- `compile_commands.json` is exported for clangd/clang-tidy if you use external tools.

## Notes on C++26

C++26 is still in active standardization. Module 14 focuses on techniques and library directions that remain relevant—deep `constexpr`, monadic `expected`, ranges pipelines, and `std::formatter`—using C++23 as the practical baseline.

Happy learning!