Best Practices and Coding Standards in C++: A Comprehensive Guide

Best Practices and Coding Standards in C++
Adhering to best practices and coding standards is crucial in C++ for creating
maintainable, efficient, and readable code. Below are some key guidelines and
practices to follow when writing C++ code.



1. General Coding Practices
1.1 Use Meaningful Names

 Variable, function, and class names should be descriptive and convey their
purpose.
o Bad: int a;
o Good: int totalScore;


1.2 Keep Functions Small

 Functions should do one thing and do it well. If a function does too much,
split it into smaller functions.

1.3 Avoid Global Variables

 Global variables can lead to issues in large applications due to
dependencies and hard-to-track side effects.
 Prefer passing data to functions through parameters or using object-
oriented approaches.

1.4 Use Constants

 Use const for values that should not be changed to ensure code integrity
and avoid accidental modifications.
o Good:


const int MAX_SIZE = 100;

, 2. Object-Oriented Practices
2.1 Encapsulation

 Keep data private within classes and expose it through public getter and
setter functions.

class Rectangle {
private:
int length;
public:
void setLength(int l) { length = l; }
int getLength() { return length; }
};

2.2 Prefer Composition Over Inheritance

 Use composition (using objects as members) rather than inheritance where
possible, as it leads to more flexible and maintainable code.

class Engine { /* Engine class implementation */ };
class Car {
Engine engine; // Composition
};

2.3 Use Smart Pointers

 Use std::unique_ptr and std::shared_ptr instead of raw pointers to manage
memory automatically and avoid memory leaks.

std::unique_ptr<MyClass> ptr = std::make_unique<MyClass>();