C plus plus version

Original document (and comments) by Taldor in black, comments by Numsgil in Red.

I propose we discuss the C++ design and coding standards in here. A wiki is much handier then a forum or PM's for it.--Taldor

Language switch

You wonder why we're switching? Because VB is for simple, gui based programs. Darwinbots is nor a simple program, nor gui based. In contrary C++ is a powerfull language, but it has a higher development cost.

Visual Basic controvercy

C++ design

General concepts

• Class based approach. In some cases, procedural in others. It's a value decision I'll make as I port the code.
• Portable code. Where possible. Preferably in house or free library wrappers for non portable functions, such as multithreading and OS timers.

Structure

See the present VB code

• Main
  • User Interface (Fox Toolkit)
    • Simulation sub window (3D - OpenGL)
  • Darwin (the simulation engine)
    • Veg
    • Tie
    • Robot
      • Sense

To be used everywhere:

• Vector_4 (using uBLAS) Present vector class is from this article. I'll use whichever is fastest, feel free to perfrom benchamrks
• Matrix_4 (also using uBLAS) See above
• Random (using 'srand()' and 'rand()') See the chapter on random numbers
• Object (the base class) Depends on the class

C++ coding standards

1. C++ C++ libraries where such libraries do what I want them to do, C libraries otherwise. Another value decision. All C librairies are included in C++. Mixing C and C++ isn't the easiest task, however OO C++ and procedural C++ can be mixed easily. I agree, but I've been having some trouble with various C++ libraries that immediatly goes away when I switch to the C versions. Might just be my compiler MSVC++ 6.0
2. Four spaced tabs - Aye.
3. External librairies when possible (ie. Boost) Internal libraries where possible, to decrease the number of code dependancies, except where external libraries perform the job faster/more comoprehensively than internal libraries can.
4. Use the 80 character line If you insist... Yup, I do. ;-)
5. Fox Toolkit
6. OpenGL

See also

1. RoundTable
2. C/C++ Reference
3. C++ FAQ Lite