Lessons learnt from using C++ the object-oriented approach to software development

Abstract

This paper presents the lessons learned from using the C++ programming language and an object-oriented design methodology for the development of a prototype analysis tool for inheritance relationships in object-oriented C++ software systems.During the project two tools were developed; a data extraction tool, and an analysis tool. We noted that inheritance and dynamic binding, reuse and strong typedness are powerful features of C++. However, we also noted that; C++ is an evolving language which needs standardization, the learning curve is very long, C++ leaves the programmer to resolve most problems and C++ code is very difficult to navigate and understand. We hope that the lessons explained in this paper will not only enhance the understanding of the C++ language, but also be very useful to anyone who intends using the language with any other object-oriented designing approach.