1 These are some rules for effective C++ programming. These are taken from
2 Scott Meyers, and are presented in their short form. These are not all the
3 rules Meyers presents, only the most important of them. LyX does not yet
4 follow these rules, but they should be the goal.
6 - Use const and inline instead of #define
8 - Use the same form in corresponding calls to new and delete,
9 i.e. write delete[] obj; if new obj[n]; was used to create
10 the object and write delete obj; if you wrote new obj;
11 Notice strings should be std::string's instead of char *'s.
13 - Define a default constructor, copy constructor and an assignment
14 operator for all classes with dynamically allocated memory that
15 do not inherit noncopyable
17 - make destructors virtual in base classes.
19 - assign to all data members in operator=.
21 - strive for class interfaces that are complete and minimal
23 - differentiate among member functions, global functions and friend
26 - avoid data members in the public interface.
28 - use const whenever possible
30 - pass and return objects by reference instead of by value
32 - choose carefully between function overloading and
35 - never return a reference to a local object or a dereferenced
36 pointer initialized by new within the function.
38 - use enums for integral constants.
40 - minimize compilation dependencies between files.
42 - pay attention to compiler warnings
44 - differentiate between inheritance of interface and
45 inheritance of implementation.
47 - differentiate between inheritance and templates
49 - know what functions C++ silently writes and calls.
51 - ensure that global objects are initialized before they are used.
55 S. Meyers. Effective C++, 50 Specific Ways to Improve Your Programs and
56 Design. Addison-Wesley, 1992
58 ==================================
60 And one of mine: (Lgb)
62 - When swiching on enums, refrain from using "default:" if possible.