Class Definition Guidelines

Classes

Be Careful with Compiler Created Functions

Be careful about what the compiler will automatically create if you don't. If you don't need/want a compiler created function, declare it private and don't implement it.

Alway Put Inlines at Bottom

Put the inline function definitions down at the end of the .H file. Declare all classes and free functions at the top, then define all inlines.

Functions

Be Careful about Inlines

Use only when necessary. Inlined functions can make the executable large, slowing down the overall speed of the program potentially more than the benefits of the overall inlining.

Use Const

Use it as much as possible.

Avoid Pointers

Use references as much as possible. It's much harder to corrupt memory with a reference. No need to worry about NULL references. Gives the compiler more info.

Never Delete NULL

Never check if a pointer is NULL before deleting. It is not an error to delete NULL.