C++ Learning Map
C++ Learning Map
A structured learning path for mastering C++ from fundamentals to advanced topics. Follow this roadmap to build a solid foundation and progress systematically.
Table of Contents
- Learning Path Overview
- Phase 1: Fundamentals (Beginner)
- Phase 2: Object-Oriented Programming (Intermediate)
- Phase 3: Modern C++ Features (Intermediate-Advanced)
- Phase 4: Standard Library (Intermediate)
- Phase 5: Advanced Topics (Advanced)
- Phase 6: Systems Programming (Advanced)
- Phase 7: Embedded and Performance (Expert)
- Phase 8: Specialized Topics (Expert)
- Learning Resources by Topic
- Learning Tips
- Recommended Study Order
- Assessment Checklist
- Next Steps
Learning Path Overview
Beginner → Intermediate → Advanced → Expert
Phase 1: Fundamentals (Beginner)
1. Basic Syntax and Concepts
- Variables and Data Types
- Primitive types (int, float, double, char, bool)
- Type modifiers (const, static, volatile)
- Type conversion and casting
- Operators
- Arithmetic, relational, logical operators
- Bitwise operators
- Assignment operators
- Control Flow
- if/else statements
- switch statements
- Loops (for, while, do-while)
- Break and continue
Recommended Posts:
2. Functions
- Function declaration and definition
- Parameters and return values
- Function overloading
- Default arguments
- Inline functions
3. Arrays and Strings
- Array declaration and initialization
- Multi-dimensional arrays
- C-style strings
- String manipulation
4. Pointers and References
- Pointer basics
- Reference basics
- Pointer arithmetic
- Passing by value, pointer, and reference
Recommended Posts:
Phase 2: Object-Oriented Programming (Intermediate)
5. Classes and Objects
- Class definition
- Access specifiers (public, private, protected)
- Constructors and destructors
- Member functions
- Static members
6. Inheritance
- Base and derived classes
- Access control in inheritance
- Virtual functions
- Abstract classes
- Multiple inheritance
7. Polymorphism
- Function overriding
- Virtual functions
- Virtual destructors
- Pure virtual functions
- Runtime polymorphism
Recommended Posts:
- C++ Function Overriding Guide - Function overriding syntax, rules, override keyword, hiding vs overriding
- C++ Virtual Functions Guide - Virtual functions, vtable mechanism, runtime polymorphism, performance
- C++ Virtual Functions and VTable Guide - Deep dive into virtual tables, memory layout, vtable structure, implementation details
- C++ Virtual Destructors Guide - Why virtual destructors are needed, memory leak prevention, proper cleanup
- C++ Pure Virtual Functions Guide - Abstract classes, interfaces, implementation requirements
- C++ Runtime Polymorphism Guide - Runtime polymorphism, late binding, vtable mechanism, practical examples
8. Encapsulation and Abstraction
- Data hiding
- Getters and setters
- Friend functions and classes
- Operator overloading
Phase 3: Modern C++ Features (Intermediate-Advanced)
9. C++11 Features
- Auto keyword
- Range-based for loops
- Lambda expressions
- Smart pointers
- Rvalue references and move semantics
- nullptr
Recommended Posts:
10. C++14 Features
- Generic lambdas
- Return type deduction
- std::make_unique
- Variable templates
Recommended Posts:
11. C++17 Features
- Structured bindings
- if constexpr
- std::optional, std::variant
- std::string_view
- std::filesystem
Recommended Posts:
12. C++20 Features
- Concepts
- Ranges
- Coroutines
- Modules
- Three-way comparison
Recommended Posts:
Phase 4: Standard Library (Intermediate)
13. STL Containers
- Sequence containers (vector, list, deque)
- Associative containers (map, set, multimap, multiset)
- Unordered containers (unordered_map, unordered_set)
- Container adapters (stack, queue, priority_queue)
Recommended Posts:
- C++ Container Reserve and Resize Guide
- C++ Defining Data Structures Guide - Creating custom data structures, tree structures, traversal algorithms
14. STL Algorithms
- Non-modifying algorithms (find, count, search)
- Modifying algorithms (copy, transform, replace)
- Sorting and searching
- Numeric algorithms
Recommended Posts:
15. Iterators
- Iterator categories
- Iterator operations
- Custom iterators
- Range-based algorithms
16. Smart Pointers
- std::unique_ptr
- std::shared_ptr
- std::weak_ptr
- When to use each
Recommended Posts:
Phase 5: Advanced Topics (Advanced)
17. Templates
- Function templates
- Class templates
- Template specialization
- Variadic templates
- Template metaprogramming
Recommended Posts:
18. Memory Management
- Stack vs heap
- new/delete vs malloc/free
- Memory leaks and debugging
- RAII principle
- Custom allocators
19. Exception Handling
- try-catch blocks
- Exception types
- Exception specifications
- RAII and exceptions
- Best practices
20. Advanced Language Features
- constexpr and consteval
- alignas and alignof
- volatile keyword
- Type traits
- SFINAE
Recommended Posts:
Phase 6: Systems Programming (Advanced)
21. Multithreading and Concurrency
- std::thread
- Mutexes and locks
- Condition variables
- Atomic operations
- Thread pools
- Resource sharing patterns
Multi-Threading Learning Paths:
- C++ Multi-Threading Learning Paths - Complete learning paths from beginner to advanced
- C++ Multi-Threading Technologies Index - Technology overview and selection guide
- C++ Multi-Threading Design Patterns Index - Design patterns overview
Basics and Fundamentals:
- C++ Multithreading Basics - Thread, future, mutex, condition_variable, atomic basics
- C++ Concurrency Complete Guide - How concurrency works, models, scenarios, examples
- C++ STL Concurrency Support Guide - Thread-safe primitives, atomic operations, synchronization
Synchronization Primitives:
- C++ Mutex Guide with Scenarios - Mutex types, usage, scenarios, examples
- C++ Mutex Patterns and Cases - Common mutex patterns and use cases
- C++ Condition Variable Guide - Wait/notify patterns, thread coordination
- C++ Barrier and Latch Guide - C++20 barriers and latches for thread coordination
Async Function Templates:
- C++ std::async Guide - Async task execution, launch policies, futures
- C++ std::packaged_task Guide - Task wrapper with futures, thread pool integration
- C++ std::promise and std::future Guide - Thread communication, exception propagation
- C++ std::shared_future Guide - Multi-consumer patterns, broadcasting results
Atomic Operations and Lock-Free:
- C++ Atomic Operations Guide - Atomic types, operations, memory ordering
- C++ Lock-Free Design Guide - Lock-free algorithms, CAS operations, memory ordering
Thread Pools and Task Execution:
- C++ Thread Pool Guide - Worker threads, task queues, thread reuse
Producer-Consumer Patterns:
- C++ Producer-Consumer Patterns Guide - SPSC, MPSC, SPMC, MPMC patterns
- C++ Producer-Consumer Pattern Examples - Step-by-step examples and implementations
Reader-Writer Patterns:
- C++ Reader-Writer Pattern Guide - Shared mutex, read-write locks, scenarios
Advanced Patterns:
- C++ Gate + Thread Pool + Callback Queue - Controlled async execution, gate control
- C++ Gated Callback Dispatcher - Event-driven callback management
- C++ Thread Resource Sharing: Bus vs Queue - Resource sharing strategies
- C++ Background File Loader Pattern - Batch file loading with line-by-line consumption
Real-World Patterns:
- C++ Common Multi-Threading Patterns: Real-World Engineering Guide - 12 common patterns overview
- C++ Producer-Consumer Pattern (Real-World)
- C++ Thread Pool Pattern (Real-World)
- C++ Future/Promise Pattern (Real-World)
- C++ Map-Reduce Pattern (Real-World)
- C++ Read-Write Lock Pattern (Real-World)
- C++ Work Stealing Pattern (Real-World)
- C++ Pipeline Pattern (Real-World)
- C++ Reactor Pattern (Real-World)
- C++ Active Object Pattern (Real-World)
- C++ Bounded Buffer Pattern (Real-World)
- C++ Actor Model Pattern (Real-World)
- C++ Fork-Join Pattern (Real-World)
Practical Patterns:
- C++ Multi-Threading Practical Patterns - Task queues, logging, performance monitoring, lambda patterns
22. Networking
- Socket programming
- TCP/IP basics
- UDP programming
- Asynchronous I/O
- Network protocols
Recommended Posts:
23. File I/O
- File streams
- Binary I/O
- Random access
- Memory-mapped files
24. System Calls and Low-Level Programming
- System calls
- Process management
- Signal handling
- Inter-process communication
Phase 7: Embedded and Performance (Expert)
25. Embedded Systems
- Bare-metal programming
- Interrupts and ISRs
- DMA and zero-copy
- Power management
- Real-time constraints
Recommended Posts:
- Embedded System Design Showcase
- Power Management for Embedded Systems
- DMA Zero-Copy Architecture
- RTOS Scheduling and ISR Design
26. Performance Optimization
- Profiling and benchmarking
- Cache optimization
- CPU optimization
- String processing optimization
- Algorithm optimization
Recommended Posts:
27. Advanced C++ Patterns
- RAII
- PIMPL idiom
- CRTP (Curiously Recurring Template Pattern)
- Type erasure
- Expression templates
Phase 8: Specialized Topics (Expert)
28. Database Integration
- SQL basics
- Database APIs
- ORM concepts
Recommended Posts:
29. Protocol Implementation
- BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy)
- MQTT
- Custom binary protocols
Recommended Posts:
30. Interview Preparation
- Coding interview preparation
- System design
- Common patterns and algorithms
Recommended Posts:
Learning Resources by Topic
Core Language
- C++11 New Features
- C++14 New Features
- C++17 New Features
- C++20 New Features
- C++23 New Features
- C++26 New Features
Memory and Pointers
Functional Programming
Object-Oriented Programming and Polymorphism
- Function Overriding Guide
- Virtual Functions Guide
- Virtual Functions and VTable Guide
- Virtual Destructors Guide
- Pure Virtual Functions Guide
- Runtime Polymorphism Guide
Concurrency
- Multi-Threading Learning Paths
- Multi-Threading Technologies Index
- Multi-Threading Design Patterns Index
- Multithreading Basics
- Concurrency Complete Guide
- STL Concurrency Support Guide
- Mutex Guide with Scenarios
- Mutex Patterns
- Condition Variable Guide
- Barrier and Latch Guide
- std::async Guide
- std::packaged_task Guide
- std::promise and std::future Guide
- std::shared_future Guide
- Atomic Operations Guide
- Lock-Free Design Guide
- Thread Pool Guide
- Producer-Consumer Patterns Guide
- Reader-Writer Pattern Guide
- Common Multi-Threading Patterns: Real-World
- Multi-Threading Practical Patterns
- Thread Resource Sharing
Embedded Systems
Networking
Learning Tips
- Practice Regularly: Write code daily, even if it’s just small exercises
- Build Projects: Apply what you learn in real projects
- Read Code: Study open-source C++ projects
- Understand Why: Don’t just memorize syntax - understand the reasoning
- Use Modern C++: Prefer C++11/14/17/20 features over C-style code
- Debug Actively: Learn to use debuggers effectively
- Review Fundamentals: Regularly revisit basics as you learn advanced topics
Recommended Study Order
Week 1-2: Fundamentals
- Basic syntax, control flow, functions
- Arrays and strings
- Pointers and references basics
Week 3-4: OOP Basics
- Classes and objects
- Constructors and destructors
- Basic inheritance
Week 5-6: STL Basics
- Vector, list, map, set
- Basic algorithms
- Iterators
Week 7-8: Modern C++ (C++11)
- Auto, lambdas, smart pointers
- Range-based for
- Move semantics basics
Week 9-10: Advanced OOP
- Polymorphism
- Virtual functions
- Abstract classes
Week 11-12: Templates
- Function templates
- Class templates
- Template specialization
Week 13-14: Concurrency
- Threads
- Mutexes
- Atomic operations
Week 15+: Specialization
- Choose based on interest:
- Embedded systems
- Systems programming
- Performance optimization
- Networking
Assessment Checklist
Track your progress:
- Can write basic programs with control flow
- Understand pointers and references
- Can create classes and use inheritance
- Comfortable with STL containers
- Can use modern C++ features (C++11+)
- Understand templates
- Can write multithreaded code
- Understand memory management
- Can optimize code for performance
- Ready for specialized topics
Next Steps
- Start with Phase 1 if you’re a beginner
- Assess your current level and jump to the appropriate phase
- Follow the recommended posts for each topic
- Practice with coding exercises
- Build projects to reinforce learning
- Join C++ communities for help and discussion
Happy learning! 🚀