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

Chapter 4

Functions

Cippi uses functions to solve the challenge.

Software developers master complexity by dividing complex tasks into smaller units. After the small units are addressed, they put the smaller units together to master the complex task. A function is a typical unit and, therefore, the basic building block for a program. Functions are “the most critical part in most interfaces . . .” (C++ Core Guidelines about functions).

The C++ Core Guidelines have about forty rules for functions. They provide valuable information on the definition of functions, how you should pass the arguments (e.g., by copy or by reference), and what that ...