real life c/c++ project examples please

I am from an electrical engineering type backround and I have been wanting to add a programming language to my resume. The long term goal is to get into a computer science field. I asked a friend of mine when it was safe to put one on and he said when I can solve problems with it.

My question now is what kind of "problems" are typical for the C or C++ programmer? Any book I read for either langauge, or any langauge for that matter, will say that it can be used for anything from A to Z. So far the examples in the book C++ without Fear has a thing for determining prime numbers and such.

What kind of real life problems or projects should a c/cpp programmer be expected to handle?


Thank You. Trying to find direction in a huge field.

You want examples...

Well, how about Linux, Windows, BSD and OSX.... Yep... all written in C and C++.

My list?

Multi-user Inventory programs used by parts suppliers
BarCode inventory updater for tablet PC
HTPC remote control via lan for home theatre use
Unicode playlist converter for music servers
Music collection martialling for music server
Playlist on the fly for music server
Large File system integrity checker
Office PA system via lan using PC speakers

All written in C.

If you want to go back to my Pascal days...

Multi-User Inventory
PC Cash Register
PC to Cash register programming interface
PC diagnostics
Real Estate previewing program
Grading/attendance for public schools

and more.


If it's out there... somebody had to write it!

Originally Posted by Snaggletooth

Any book I read for either langauge, or any langauge for that matter, will say that it can be used for anything from A to Z.

Yes, because in theory it's true -- they are "Turing complete":

from: Turing completeness - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In practice, Turing completeness means that the rules followed in sequence on arbitrary data can produce the result of any calculation. In procedural languages this can be satisfied by having, at a minimum, conditional branching (e.g., an "if" and "goto" statement) and the ability to change arbitrary memory locations (e.g., variables). To show that something is Turing complete, it is enough to show that it can be used to simulate the most primitive computer, since even the simplest computer can be used to simulate the most complicated one. All general purpose programming languages and modern machine instruction sets are Turing complete, notwithstanding finite-memory limitations.

So doing "anything from A to Z" is a matter of how well you can conceptualize your task in relation to the hardware involved, and what software tools are available to you on that hardware to help facilitate the task. Different languages fill different niches in this regard, but again, in theory (and sans constraints on time and memory), all turing complete languages should allow you to do anything the hardware is capable of.

My question now is what kind of "problems" are typical for the C or C++ programmer?

C is used a lot in system, embedded, and streamlined application (eg. databases, interpreters, servers) programming. C++ is also used in system and application programming, probably more toward the "high level" and/or "end user" end of the application spectrum (eg. integrated frameworks, GUIs, video games).

I think as an electrical engineer you'd want to have significant grounding in C but C++ may also be very useful to you professionally. $0.02

Thanks.
I've been looking to make a career change and I have been interested in programming for a long time. So I've been trying to gauge my level of knowledge and what I would actually be getting into. There is only so much I can gleam from job postings and the couple of people I know in the field.

Maybe it makes more sense to start with what you have in mind by a "computer science field". Do you want to be a computer science academic?

Originally Posted by Snaggletooth

I've been looking to make a career change and I have been interested in programming for a long time.

So, instead of talking about it... just DO it.

There's lots of free compilers out there and even more free e-books and tutorials.

The only thing stopping you is you.

Originally Posted by MK27

Different languages fill different niches in this regard, but again, in theory (and sans constraints on time and memory), all turing complete languages should allow you to do anything the hardware is capable of.

Eh -- okay this is not really true, as "performing any possible calculation" does not equate to "doing anything the hardware is capable of". I got a little excited. But most modern general purpose languages will anyway in most settings.

I wouldn't get too stressed at where you start, just, as tater says, start. You can refine your decision more later.