Advanced Programming in C++ Flashcards
Why do we use C/C++?
- Complete, non-simplified
- Efficient
- Can handle high-performance tasks like simulations, real-time processing, and visualization
- Language of choice for embedded systems
- Can be made safe with proper education
What are the main steps in the C++ compilation process?
- Preprocessing
- Compilation (converting source code to object code)
- Linking (combining object code with libraries to create an executable)
What is the purpose of the preprocessing stage in C++ compilation?
Preprocessing handles directives like #include and #define, preparing the code for compilation
What does the term “data type” refer to in C++?
A data type specifies the kind of data a variable can hold, such as int, char, or float.
What are the main categories of primitive data types in C++?
- Integer Numbers (int)
- Character (char)
- Booleans (bool)
- Floating Point (float)
- Void (void)
How do you declare and initialize a variable in C++?
Use the syntax scope type identifier = value;
(e.g., global int x = 5;)
What is a scope in C++?
A scope defines the region of code where a variable is accessible. Variables in a local scope (like inside a function) are not accessible outside of it.
What are the 3 different types of scope?
- Global: Variable is declared outside all functions and is accessible throughout the program, but not from other files
- Local: Variable is only accessible within the function or block where it is declared, only exists during an invocation and ceases to exist at the end of it
- Local Statics: Variable is declared during first invocation and doesn’t cease to exist at the end of it
What is the difference between stack and heap memory?
Stack memory is used for local variables and function calls, while heap memory is for dynamic allocation, managed manually
What are the roles of new and delete in C++?
- new allocates memory on the heap
- delete deallocates memory to avoid memory leaks
What is malloc and how is it used in C++?
- Function in C++ to allocate a block of memory on the heap
- Returns a pointer to the beginning of the block
- Unlike new, malloc does not call constructors and requires explicit casting of the returned pointer to the desired data type
- Memory allocated with malloc should be deallocated using free()
What are the 3 elements of a flowchart?
- Activity (rectangular block, e.g. instructions, subprograms, …)
- Decision (diamond, condition (e.g. Boolean expression) is specified)
- Terminal activity (rounded rectangle)
What is the structured program theorem?
Flow graphs can compute any computable function by composing the following 3 control structures:
- Sequential execution (execute one subprogram and after that another one)
- Conditional branch, selection (execute one of two subprograms according to the value of a Boolean expression)
- Loop (repeat execution of a subprogram as long as a Boolean expression evaluates to true each time before executing the subprogram)
What is a block scope in C++?
- Block scope refers to variables declared within a block of code, enclosed by {}
- These variables are only accessible within that block
How does a switch statement work in C++?
- A switch statement evaluates an expression and executes the corresponding case block
- If no cases match, the default block (if provided) is executed
What is the purpose of the break statement in a switch case?
break exits the switch statement to prevent “fall-through” to the next case (execution continues until break is encountered)
What is a function in C++?
- A function is a block of code designed to perform a specific task
- It can accept inputs (parameters) and return a result
How can the parameters given to a function be changed?
If given as a reference (e.g. int& a), the variable can be changed in the function and persists after, not just as local variable
What is a const reference?
- The variable data is not copied and given to the function and it is not editable
- Safe and easy
- E.g. void func(const a& data)
- Faster than function call by value
What is a function prototype in C++ and why is it used?
- A function prototype declares a function’s return type, name, and parameters before its definition
- It is used to inform the compiler about the function’s existence
How do you define a function in C++?
A function is defined with a return type, name, parameter list, and body:
return_type function_name(parameters) { body }
What is recursion in C++?
Recursion occurs when a function calls itself to solve a smaller instance of the same problem, often used in algorithms like factorial calculation
What is a for loop and when would you use it?
- A for loop is used for iterating a fixed number of times
- It consists of initialization, condition, and increment/decrement expressions
How does a while loop differ from a do-while loop in C++?
- while loop checks the condition before executing the loop body
- do-while loop checks the condition after, ensuring the body executes at least once
What is a pointer in C++?
- A pointer is a variable that stores the memory address of another variable
- It is declared using the * operator
How do you access the value pointed to by a pointer?
Use the dereference operator * to access the value at the memory address stored by the pointer
What is a reference in C++?
- A reference is an alias for another variable, declared using the & operator
- It must be initialized when declared
What is the difference between ++x and x++ in C++?
- ++x is pre-increment (increments before the value is used)
- x++ is post-increment (increments after the value is used)
What are the logical operators in C++?
Logical operators include:
- && (AND)
- || (OR)
- ! (NOT)
used to combine or negate boolean expressions
What is the sizeof operator used for in C++?
The sizeof operator returns the size, in bytes, of a data type or object
What is a conditional (ternary) operator in C++?
- The conditional operator (?:) is a shorthand for an if-else statement
- It evaluates an expression and returns one of two values depending on the result
How do you handle errors in C++ using exceptions?
Use try to wrap the code that might throw an exception, catch to handle exceptions, and throw to generate an exception
What is an array in C++?
An array is a collection of elements of the same type, stored in contiguous memory locations, and accessed by index
How do you declare an array in C++?
- Use the syntax type array_name[size];
- E.g., int numbers[10];
What is function overloading in C++?
- If two functions have the same name, but different parameter types
- Call is only clear sometimes, but if different types are used, type conversion might be needed
What is the main function in C++?
- Start of the execution of the program
- Returns 0 (success), error if return otherwise
What is a structure in C++?
- Binds together multiple variables in a record
- struct type_name {variables;} object_name1, object_name2;
What is the primary idea behind object orientation?
- Organize software as an abstraction of real-world entities
- Objects encapsulate data and methods, and classes provide a blueprint to create multiple objects with similar structure and behavior
What is the difference between a class and an object?
- A class is a blueprint or a description of a type of object, defining its properties and behaviors
- An object is an instance of a class, possessing unique identity and the attributes and behaviors defined by its class, several objects can have the same class
How are classes represented in UML?
In UML, a class is represented as a rectangle with three compartments:
- The top contains the class name
- The middle lists attributes
- The bottom lists methods
