Free C Programming Samples And Resources For Developers

Introduction

Free programming samples and resources play a crucial role in the learning and development process for programmers. The C++ language, known for its performance and versatility, offers numerous free sample codes and libraries that can help both newcomers and experienced developers. This article explores the available free C++ programming samples, resources, and frameworks that developers can access at no cost. The information presented is based on verified sources that provide legitimate programming resources rather than consumer product samples.

C++ Tutorial Samples Repository

One valuable resource for C++ learners is the C++ Tutorial Samples repository available on GitHub. This collection, dating back to 2005, contains adopted sample codes from various sources specifically designed to instruct programming in C++. The repository aims to help newcomers quickly find appropriate patterns for solving programming problems and understand how certain language constructs or popular functions are generally used.

The repository has several notable characteristics:

• Each sample is contained in a separate folder, typically with a file named "Prog.cpp"
• The samples cover only standard/ISO C++ language features
• The repository is maintained as an educational resource rather than a complete or flawless collection
• Contributors are encouraged to improve the samples and share them with other C++ newcomers or teachers

For developers using different operating systems, the repository provides build instructions:

• On Linux/Unix and Cygwin systems, each directory contains a Makefile
• The build process can be initiated by navigating to the sample directory and running "make"
• The "make clean" command cleans up the directory
• The "make full" command first cleans and then rebuilds the sample

For Microsoft Visual Studio users, the process requires creating a project and copying the sample code into that project manually, as there are no pre-configured Visual Studio project files included in the repository.

C++ Builder Development Resources

Embarcadero offers C++ Builder, which provides different editions for various types of developers:

• The Community Edition is available for free download
• Professional, Architect, and Enterprise versions are available for professional developers with paid licenses

The Community Edition enables developers to create multi-device applications using the FireMonkey (FMX) framework, which allows applications to run across different platforms including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. To create a new application:

1. Select "File->New->Multi-Device Application – C++ Builder" from the menu
2. This creates a new C++ project for Windows that can be easily compiled for other operating systems
3. Save all unit files and project files to a designated folder

The framework offers two primary UI options:

• VCL (Visual Component Library) projects are Windows-only applications
• FireMonkey (FMX) projects are multi-platform applications that can run on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

For developers who don't require UI elements, console applications can be created without using either VCL or FMX frameworks. This flexibility allows developers to choose the appropriate approach based on their project requirements.

Comprehensive C++ Libraries Collection

The "awesome-cpp" GitHub repository provides a curated list of C++ libraries and frameworks that developers can utilize in their projects. This collection covers a wide range of categories and purposes:

Frameworks and Application Development Libraries

• CGraph: A cross-platform DAG framework based on C++ without any third-party dependencies (MIT license)
• Cinder: A community-developed, free and open-source library for professional-quality creative coding (BSD license)
• Kigs framework: A free and open-source C++ modular multi-purpose cross-platform RAD framework (MIT license)
• JUCE: An all-encompassing C++ class library for developing cross-platform software (Core-Module: ISC, Rest: GPL2/GPL3/Proprietary)

Specialized Libraries

• Dlib: A toolkit for making real-world machine learning and data analysis applications in C++ (Boost license)
• Folly: An open-source C++ library developed and used at Facebook (Apache2 license)
• FunctionalPlus: A functional programming library for C++ that enables writing concise and readable code (MIT license)
• ffead-cpp: A framework for enterprise application development (Apache2 license)

Template and Utility Libraries

• EASTL: Electronic Arts Standard Template Library (BSD license)
• ETL: Embedded Template Library (MIT license)
• Cxxomfort: A small, header-only library that backports various facilities from more recent C++ Standards to C++03 and later (MIT license)
• itlib: A collection of std-like single-header C++ libraries (MIT license)

Reflection and Metaprogramming Libraries

• TSMP: A C++20 library for static reflection (MIT license)
• visit_struct: A miniature library for struct-field reflection in C++ (Boost license)
• Refureku: A C++17 runtime reflection and code generation library (MIT license)

Regular Expression Libraries

• CppVerbalExpressions: C++ regular expressions made easy (MIT license)
• CTRE: A compile-time PCRE compatible regular expression matcher (MIT license)
• Hyperscan: A high-performance multiple regex matching library by Intel (BSD license)
• RE2: A software library for regular expressions via a finite-state machine (BSD-3-Clause license)

This comprehensive collection provides developers with numerous options for extending C++ functionality across various domains, from machine learning to application development.

Microsoft Visual C++ Samples

Microsoft provides a range of samples for Visual C++ development, particularly focusing on Windows applications. These samples demonstrate various aspects of C++ development on the Windows platform:

File and Storage Operations

• File and folder thumbnail sample: Demonstrates how to retrieve thumbnails for files and folders using Windows.Storage.FileProperties API
• File access sample: Shows how to create, read, write, copy, and delete files, retrieve file properties, and track files or folders using Windows.Storage and Windows.Storage.AccessCache API
• Removable storage sample: Demonstrates how to transfer files to and from removable storage devices such as cameras, media players, cellular phones, or USB thumb drives

Graphics and Visual Effects

• Direct3D HLSL fractal generator sample: Demonstrates the use of Direct3D HLSL and DirectCompute compute shaders to create fractal images
• XAML Direct2D lighting effects sample: Demonstrates lighting effects available in Direct2D Effects, with properties controlled by XAML interface controls
• Direct2D app printing sample: Shows how to add Direct2D printing support to a Windows Store app
• Direct2D animated text sample: Demonstrates animation techniques with Direct2D text rendering
• XAML SurfaceImageSource DirectX interop sample: Shows how to use a SurfaceImageSource to include DirectX content in a XAML app

User Interface and Input Handling

• Input manipulations and gestures sample: Demonstrates how to handle pointer input and process manipulations and gestures with GestureRecognizer APIs in a Windows Store app using C++ and DirectX
• XAML personality animations sample: Demonstrates how to use built-in personality animations in an application

Media and Audio

• Media engine native C++ video playback sample: Demonstrates video playback using the MediaEngine API in a native C++ app
• Media extensions sample: Covers media extension functionality
• Configure keys for media sample: Demonstrates how to configure hardware media keys on a keyboard and use them to control audio-video streams

System Integration

• Portable device API sample: Shows how to access the IPortableDevice COM API from a C++ app
• PlayTo receiver sample: Demonstrates how to create a software Play To receiver
• Lock screen personalization sample: Shows how to use the LockScreen API to set the current user's lock screen image
• Credential locker sample: Demonstrates how to use WinRT PasswordVault APIs and the credential locker to store web credentials
• Client push notifications sample: Shows how a client app can register and listen for push notifications from a web server
• Toast notifications sample: Demonstrates toast notification functionality
• Connecting with WebSockets sample: Shows how to use WebSockets in a connected Windows Store app

These samples provide practical examples of implementing various features in Windows applications using C++, offering developers ready-to-use code patterns and demonstrations of Windows-specific APIs.

Conclusion

The available resources for free C++ programming samples and libraries provide valuable tools for developers at all levels. From educational tutorial samples to comprehensive framework libraries and platform-specific examples, developers have access to numerous resources that can accelerate their learning and development process. The GitHub repositories maintained by the community, along with official resources from Microsoft and Embarcadero, offer legitimate free programming resources that respect licensing terms and provide educational value. These resources differ significantly from consumer product samples, instead focusing on providing code examples, libraries, and development tools that can be incorporated into software projects.

Sources

1. Cpp-Tutorial-Samples GitHub Repository
2. Embarcadero C++ Builder Blog
3. Awesome-CPP GitHub Repository
4. Microsoft Visual C++ Samples