Home > Articles

This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

C++ Core Guidelines Explained: Best Practices for Modern C++C++ Core Guidelines Explained: Best Practices for Modern C++

Learn More Buy

This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

C++ Core Guidelines Explained: Best Practices for Modern C++C++ Core Guidelines Explained: Best Practices for Modern C++

Learn More Buy

Related rules

An additional rule to lambdas is in Chapter 8, Expressions and Statements: “ES.28: Use lambdas for complex initialization, especially of const variables.”

I skipped the C++20 feature std::span in this chapter and provided basic information on std::span in Chapter 7, Resource Management.

Distilled: Important

  • A function should perform one operation, be short and simple, and have a carefully chosen name.

  • Make functions that could run at compile-time constexpr.

  • Make your functions pure if possible.

  • Distinguish between the in, in/out, and out parameters of a function. Use passing by value or by const reference for in, use passing by reference for in/out, and use passing by value for the out parameter.

  • Passing parameters to functions is a question of ownership semantics. Passing by value makes the function an independent owner of the resource. Passing by pointer or reference means the function only borrows the resource. A std::unique_ptr transfers the ownership to the function. std::shared_ptr makes the function a shared owner.

  • Use variadic templates instead of va_arg arguments when your function should accept an arbitrary number of arguments.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.