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)

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

Run a single exercise:

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:

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!