codeply-cli 0.5.5 → 0.6.0

package/skills/cpp-coding-standards/SKILL.md

@@ -1,724 +1,724 @@
----
-name: cpp-coding-standards
-description: C++ coding standards based on the C++ Core Guidelines (isocpp.github.io). Use when writing, reviewing, or refactoring C++ code to enforce modern, safe, and idiomatic practices.
-metadata:
-  origin: ECC
----
-
-# C++ Coding Standards (C++ Core Guidelines)
-
-Comprehensive coding standards for modern C++ (C++17/20/23) derived from the [C++ Core Guidelines](https://isocpp.github.io/CppCoreGuidelines/CppCoreGuidelines). Enforces type safety, resource safety, immutability, and clarity.
-
-## When to Use
-
-- Writing new C++ code (classes, functions, templates)
-- Reviewing or refactoring existing C++ code
-- Making architectural decisions in C++ projects
-- Enforcing consistent style across a C++ codebase
-- Choosing between language features (e.g., `enum` vs `enum class`, raw pointer vs smart pointer)
-
-### When NOT to Use
-
-- Non-C++ projects
-- Legacy C codebases that cannot adopt modern C++ features
-- Embedded/bare-metal contexts where specific guidelines conflict with hardware constraints (adapt selectively)
-
-## Cross-Cutting Principles
-
-These themes recur across the entire guidelines and form the foundation:
-
-1. **RAII everywhere** (P.8, R.1, E.6, CP.20): Bind resource lifetime to object lifetime
-2. **Immutability by default** (P.10, Con.1-5, ES.25): Start with `const`/`constexpr`; mutability is the exception
-3. **Type safety** (P.4, I.4, ES.46-49, Enum.3): Use the type system to prevent errors at compile time
-4. **Express intent** (P.3, F.1, NL.1-2, T.10): Names, types, and concepts should communicate purpose
-5. **Minimize complexity** (F.2-3, ES.5, Per.4-5): Simple code is correct code
-6. **Value semantics over pointer semantics** (C.10, R.3-5, F.20, CP.31): Prefer returning by value and scoped objects
-
-## Philosophy & Interfaces (P.*, I.*)
-
-### Key Rules
-
-| Rule | Summary |
-|------|---------|
-| **P.1** | Express ideas directly in code |
-| **P.3** | Express intent |
-| **P.4** | Ideally, a program should be statically type safe |
-| **P.5** | Prefer compile-time checking to run-time checking |
-| **P.8** | Don't leak any resources |
-| **P.10** | Prefer immutable data to mutable data |
-| **I.1** | Make interfaces explicit |
-| **I.2** | Avoid non-const global variables |
-| **I.4** | Make interfaces precisely and strongly typed |
-| **I.11** | Never transfer ownership by a raw pointer or reference |
-| **I.23** | Keep the number of function arguments low |
-
-### DO
-
-```cpp
-// P.10 + I.4: Immutable, strongly typed interface
-struct Temperature {
-    double kelvin;
-};
-
-Temperature boil(const Temperature& water);
-```
-
-### DON'T
-
-```cpp
-// Weak interface: unclear ownership, unclear units
-double boil(double* temp);
-
-// Non-const global variable
-int g_counter = 0;  // I.2 violation
-```
-
-## Functions (F.*)
-
-### Key Rules
-
-| Rule | Summary |
-|------|---------|
-| **F.1** | Package meaningful operations as carefully named functions |
-| **F.2** | A function should perform a single logical operation |
-| **F.3** | Keep functions short and simple |
-| **F.4** | If a function might be evaluated at compile time, declare it `constexpr` |
-| **F.6** | If your function must not throw, declare it `noexcept` |
-| **F.8** | Prefer pure functions |
-| **F.16** | For "in" parameters, pass cheaply-copied types by value and others by `const&` |
-| **F.20** | For "out" values, prefer return values to output parameters |
-| **F.21** | To return multiple "out" values, prefer returning a struct |
-| **F.43** | Never return a pointer or reference to a local object |
-
-### Parameter Passing
-
-```cpp
-// F.16: Cheap types by value, others by const&
-void print(int x);                           // cheap: by value
-void analyze(const std::string& data);       // expensive: by const&
-void transform(std::string s);               // sink: by value (will move)
-
-// F.20 + F.21: Return values, not output parameters
-struct ParseResult {
-    std::string token;
-    int position;
-};
-
-ParseResult parse(std::string_view input);   // GOOD: return struct
-
-// BAD: output parameters
-void parse(std::string_view input,
-           std::string& token, int& pos);    // avoid this
-```
-
-### Pure Functions and constexpr
-
-```cpp
-// F.4 + F.8: Pure, constexpr where possible
-constexpr int factorial(int n) noexcept {
-    return (n <= 1) ? 1 : n * factorial(n - 1);
-}
-
-static_assert(factorial(5) == 120);
-```
-
-### Anti-Patterns
-
-- Returning `T&&` from functions (F.45)
-- Using `va_arg` / C-style variadics (F.55)
-- Capturing by reference in lambdas passed to other threads (F.53)
-- Returning `const T` which inhibits move semantics (F.49)
-
-## Classes & Class Hierarchies (C.*)
-
-### Key Rules
-
-| Rule | Summary |
-|------|---------|
-| **C.2** | Use `class` if invariant exists; `struct` if data members vary independently |
-| **C.9** | Minimize exposure of members |
-| **C.20** | If you can avoid defining default operations, do (Rule of Zero) |
-| **C.21** | If you define or `=delete` any copy/move/destructor, handle them all (Rule of Five) |
-| **C.35** | Base class destructor: public virtual or protected non-virtual |
-| **C.41** | A constructor should create a fully initialized object |
-| **C.46** | Declare single-argument constructors `explicit` |
-| **C.67** | A polymorphic class should suppress public copy/move |
-| **C.128** | Virtual functions: specify exactly one of `virtual`, `override`, or `final` |
-
-### Rule of Zero
-
-```cpp
-// C.20: Let the compiler generate special members
-struct Employee {
-    std::string name;
-    std::string department;
-    int id;
-    // No destructor, copy/move constructors, or assignment operators needed
-};
-```
-
-### Rule of Five
-
-```cpp
-// C.21: If you must manage a resource, define all five
-class Buffer {
-public:
-    explicit Buffer(std::size_t size)
-        : data_(std::make_unique<char[]>(size)), size_(size) {}
-
-    ~Buffer() = default;
-
-    Buffer(const Buffer& other)
-        : data_(std::make_unique<char[]>(other.size_)), size_(other.size_) {
-        std::copy_n(other.data_.get(), size_, data_.get());
-    }
-
-    Buffer& operator=(const Buffer& other) {
-        if (this != &other) {
-            auto new_data = std::make_unique<char[]>(other.size_);
-            std::copy_n(other.data_.get(), other.size_, new_data.get());
-            data_ = std::move(new_data);
-            size_ = other.size_;
-        }
-        return *this;
-    }
-
-    Buffer(Buffer&&) noexcept = default;
-    Buffer& operator=(Buffer&&) noexcept = default;
-
-private:
-    std::unique_ptr<char[]> data_;
-    std::size_t size_;
-};
-```
-
-### Class Hierarchy
-
-```cpp
-// C.35 + C.128: Virtual destructor, use override
-class Shape {
-public:
-    virtual ~Shape() = default;
-    virtual double area() const = 0;  // C.121: pure interface
-};
-
-class Circle : public Shape {
-public:
-    explicit Circle(double r) : radius_(r) {}
-    double area() const override { return 3.14159 * radius_ * radius_; }
-
-private:
-    double radius_;
-};
-```
-
-### Anti-Patterns
-
-- Calling virtual functions in constructors/destructors (C.82)
-- Using `memset`/`memcpy` on non-trivial types (C.90)
-- Providing different default arguments for virtual function and overrider (C.140)
-- Making data members `const` or references, which suppresses move/copy (C.12)
-
-## Resource Management (R.*)
-
-### Key Rules
-
-| Rule | Summary |
-|------|---------|
-| **R.1** | Manage resources automatically using RAII |
-| **R.3** | A raw pointer (`T*`) is non-owning |
-| **R.5** | Prefer scoped objects; don't heap-allocate unnecessarily |
-| **R.10** | Avoid `malloc()`/`free()` |
-| **R.11** | Avoid calling `new` and `delete` explicitly |
-| **R.20** | Use `unique_ptr` or `shared_ptr` to represent ownership |
-| **R.21** | Prefer `unique_ptr` over `shared_ptr` unless sharing ownership |
-| **R.22** | Use `make_shared()` to make `shared_ptr`s |
-
-### Smart Pointer Usage
-
-```cpp
-// R.11 + R.20 + R.21: RAII with smart pointers
-auto widget = std::make_unique<Widget>("config");  // unique ownership
-auto cache  = std::make_shared<Cache>(1024);        // shared ownership
-
-// R.3: Raw pointer = non-owning observer
-void render(const Widget* w) {  // does NOT own w
-    if (w) w->draw();
-}
-
-render(widget.get());
-```
-
-### RAII Pattern
-
-```cpp
-// R.1: Resource acquisition is initialization
-class FileHandle {
-public:
-    explicit FileHandle(const std::string& path)
-        : handle_(std::fopen(path.c_str(), "r")) {
-        if (!handle_) throw std::runtime_error("Failed to open: " + path);
-    }
-
-    ~FileHandle() {
-        if (handle_) std::fclose(handle_);
-    }
-
-    FileHandle(const FileHandle&) = delete;
-    FileHandle& operator=(const FileHandle&) = delete;
-    FileHandle(FileHandle&& other) noexcept
-        : handle_(std::exchange(other.handle_, nullptr)) {}
-    FileHandle& operator=(FileHandle&& other) noexcept {
-        if (this != &other) {
-            if (handle_) std::fclose(handle_);
-            handle_ = std::exchange(other.handle_, nullptr);
-        }
-        return *this;
-    }
-
-private:
-    std::FILE* handle_;
-};
-```
-
-### Anti-Patterns
-
-- Naked `new`/`delete` (R.11)
-- `malloc()`/`free()` in C++ code (R.10)
-- Multiple resource allocations in a single expression (R.13 -- exception safety hazard)
-- `shared_ptr` where `unique_ptr` suffices (R.21)
-
-## Expressions & Statements (ES.*)
-
-### Key Rules
-
-| Rule | Summary |
-|------|---------|
-| **ES.5** | Keep scopes small |
-| **ES.20** | Always initialize an object |
-| **ES.23** | Prefer `{}` initializer syntax |
-| **ES.25** | Declare objects `const` or `constexpr` unless modification is intended |
-| **ES.28** | Use lambdas for complex initialization of `const` variables |
-| **ES.45** | Avoid magic constants; use symbolic constants |
-| **ES.46** | Avoid narrowing/lossy arithmetic conversions |
-| **ES.47** | Use `nullptr` rather than `0` or `NULL` |
-| **ES.48** | Avoid casts |
-| **ES.50** | Don't cast away `const` |
-
-### Initialization
-
-```cpp
-// ES.20 + ES.23 + ES.25: Always initialize, prefer {}, default to const
-const int max_retries{3};
-const std::string name{"widget"};
-const std::vector<int> primes{2, 3, 5, 7, 11};
-
-// ES.28: Lambda for complex const initialization
-const auto config = [&] {
-    Config c;
-    c.timeout = std::chrono::seconds{30};
-    c.retries = max_retries;
-    c.verbose = debug_mode;
-    return c;
-}();
-```
-
-### Anti-Patterns
-
-- Uninitialized variables (ES.20)
-- Using `0` or `NULL` as pointer (ES.47 -- use `nullptr`)
-- C-style casts (ES.48 -- use `static_cast`, `const_cast`, etc.)
-- Casting away `const` (ES.50)
-- Magic numbers without named constants (ES.45)
-- Mixing signed and unsigned arithmetic (ES.100)
-- Reusing names in nested scopes (ES.12)
-
-## Error Handling (E.*)
-
-### Key Rules
-
-| Rule | Summary |
-|------|---------|
-| **E.1** | Develop an error-handling strategy early in a design |
-| **E.2** | Throw an exception to signal that a function can't perform its assigned task |
-| **E.6** | Use RAII to prevent leaks |
-| **E.12** | Use `noexcept` when throwing is impossible or unacceptable |
-| **E.14** | Use purpose-designed user-defined types as exceptions |
-| **E.15** | Throw by value, catch by reference |
-| **E.16** | Destructors, deallocation, and swap must never fail |
-| **E.17** | Don't try to catch every exception in every function |
-
-### Exception Hierarchy
-
-```cpp
-// E.14 + E.15: Custom exception types, throw by value, catch by reference
-class AppError : public std::runtime_error {
-public:
-    using std::runtime_error::runtime_error;
-};
-
-class NetworkError : public AppError {
-public:
-    NetworkError(const std::string& msg, int code)
-        : AppError(msg), status_code(code) {}
-    int status_code;
-};
-
-void fetch_data(const std::string& url) {
-    // E.2: Throw to signal failure
-    throw NetworkError("connection refused", 503);
-}
-
-void run() {
-    try {
-        fetch_data("https://api.example.com");
-    } catch (const NetworkError& e) {
-        log_error(e.what(), e.status_code);
-    } catch (const AppError& e) {
-        log_error(e.what());
-    }
-    // E.17: Don't catch everything here -- let unexpected errors propagate
-}
-```
-
-### Anti-Patterns
-
-- Throwing built-in types like `int` or string literals (E.14)
-- Catching by value (slicing risk) (E.15)
-- Empty catch blocks that silently swallow errors
-- Using exceptions for flow control (E.3)
-- Error handling based on global state like `errno` (E.28)
-
-## Constants & Immutability (Con.*)
-
-### All Rules
-
-| Rule | Summary |
-|------|---------|
-| **Con.1** | By default, make objects immutable |
-| **Con.2** | By default, make member functions `const` |
-| **Con.3** | By default, pass pointers and references to `const` |
-| **Con.4** | Use `const` for values that don't change after construction |
-| **Con.5** | Use `constexpr` for values computable at compile time |
-
-```cpp
-// Con.1 through Con.5: Immutability by default
-class Sensor {
-public:
-    explicit Sensor(std::string id) : id_(std::move(id)) {}
-
-    // Con.2: const member functions by default
-    const std::string& id() const { return id_; }
-    double last_reading() const { return reading_; }
-
-    // Only non-const when mutation is required
-    void record(double value) { reading_ = value; }
-
-private:
-    const std::string id_;  // Con.4: never changes after construction
-    double reading_{0.0};
-};
-
-// Con.3: Pass by const reference
-void display(const Sensor& s) {
-    std::cout << s.id() << ": " << s.last_reading() << '\n';
-}
-
-// Con.5: Compile-time constants
-constexpr double PI = 3.14159265358979;
-constexpr int MAX_SENSORS = 256;
-```
-
-## Concurrency & Parallelism (CP.*)
-
-### Key Rules
-
-| Rule | Summary |
-|------|---------|
-| **CP.2** | Avoid data races |
-| **CP.3** | Minimize explicit sharing of writable data |
-| **CP.4** | Think in terms of tasks, rather than threads |
-| **CP.8** | Don't use `volatile` for synchronization |
-| **CP.20** | Use RAII, never plain `lock()`/`unlock()` |
-| **CP.21** | Use `std::scoped_lock` to acquire multiple mutexes |
-| **CP.22** | Never call unknown code while holding a lock |
-| **CP.42** | Don't wait without a condition |
-| **CP.44** | Remember to name your `lock_guard`s and `unique_lock`s |
-| **CP.100** | Don't use lock-free programming unless you absolutely have to |
-
-### Safe Locking
-
-```cpp
-// CP.20 + CP.44: RAII locks, always named
-class ThreadSafeQueue {
-public:
-    void push(int value) {
-        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);  // CP.44: named!
-        queue_.push(value);
-        cv_.notify_one();
-    }
-
-    int pop() {
-        std::unique_lock<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
-        // CP.42: Always wait with a condition
-        cv_.wait(lock, [this] { return !queue_.empty(); });
-        const int value = queue_.front();
-        queue_.pop();
-        return value;
-    }
-
-private:
-    std::mutex mutex_;             // CP.50: mutex with its data
-    std::condition_variable cv_;
-    std::queue<int> queue_;
-};
-```
-
-### Multiple Mutexes
-
-```cpp
-// CP.21: std::scoped_lock for multiple mutexes (deadlock-free)
-void transfer(Account& from, Account& to, double amount) {
-    std::scoped_lock lock(from.mutex_, to.mutex_);
-    from.balance_ -= amount;
-    to.balance_ += amount;
-}
-```
-
-### Anti-Patterns
-
-- `volatile` for synchronization (CP.8 -- it's for hardware I/O only)
-- Detaching threads (CP.26 -- lifetime management becomes nearly impossible)
-- Unnamed lock guards: `std::lock_guard<std::mutex>(m);` destroys immediately (CP.44)
-- Holding locks while calling callbacks (CP.22 -- deadlock risk)
-- Lock-free programming without deep expertise (CP.100)
-
-## Templates & Generic Programming (T.*)
-
-### Key Rules
-
-| Rule | Summary |
-|------|---------|
-| **T.1** | Use templates to raise the level of abstraction |
-| **T.2** | Use templates to express algorithms for many argument types |
-| **T.10** | Specify concepts for all template arguments |
-| **T.11** | Use standard concepts whenever possible |
-| **T.13** | Prefer shorthand notation for simple concepts |
-| **T.43** | Prefer `using` over `typedef` |
-| **T.120** | Use template metaprogramming only when you really need to |
-| **T.144** | Don't specialize function templates (overload instead) |
-
-### Concepts (C++20)
-
-```cpp
-#include <concepts>
-
-// T.10 + T.11: Constrain templates with standard concepts
-template<std::integral T>
-T gcd(T a, T b) {
-    while (b != 0) {
-        a = std::exchange(b, a % b);
-    }
-    return a;
-}
-
-// T.13: Shorthand concept syntax
-void sort(std::ranges::random_access_range auto& range) {
-    std::ranges::sort(range);
-}
-
-// Custom concept for domain-specific constraints
-template<typename T>
-concept Serializable = requires(const T& t) {
-    { t.serialize() } -> std::convertible_to<std::string>;
-};
-
-template<Serializable T>
-void save(const T& obj, const std::string& path);
-```
-
-### Anti-Patterns
-
-- Unconstrained templates in visible namespaces (T.47)
-- Specializing function templates instead of overloading (T.144)
-- Template metaprogramming where `constexpr` suffices (T.120)
-- `typedef` instead of `using` (T.43)
-
-## Standard Library (SL.*)
-
-### Key Rules
-
-| Rule | Summary |
-|------|---------|
-| **SL.1** | Use libraries wherever possible |
-| **SL.2** | Prefer the standard library to other libraries |
-| **SL.con.1** | Prefer `std::array` or `std::vector` over C arrays |
-| **SL.con.2** | Prefer `std::vector` by default |
-| **SL.str.1** | Use `std::string` to own character sequences |
-| **SL.str.2** | Use `std::string_view` to refer to character sequences |
-| **SL.io.50** | Avoid `endl` (use `'\n'` -- `endl` forces a flush) |
-
-```cpp
-// SL.con.1 + SL.con.2: Prefer vector/array over C arrays
-const std::array<int, 4> fixed_data{1, 2, 3, 4};
-std::vector<std::string> dynamic_data;
-
-// SL.str.1 + SL.str.2: string owns, string_view observes
-std::string build_greeting(std::string_view name) {
-    return "Hello, " + std::string(name) + "!";
-}
-
-// SL.io.50: Use '\n' not endl
-std::cout << "result: " << value << '\n';
-```
-
-## Enumerations (Enum.*)
-
-### Key Rules
-
-| Rule | Summary |
-|------|---------|
-| **Enum.1** | Prefer enumerations over macros |
-| **Enum.3** | Prefer `enum class` over plain `enum` |
-| **Enum.5** | Don't use ALL_CAPS for enumerators |
-| **Enum.6** | Avoid unnamed enumerations |
-
-```cpp
-// Enum.3 + Enum.5: Scoped enum, no ALL_CAPS
-enum class Color { red, green, blue };
-enum class LogLevel { debug, info, warning, error };
-
-// BAD: plain enum leaks names, ALL_CAPS clashes with macros
-enum { RED, GREEN, BLUE };           // Enum.3 + Enum.5 + Enum.6 violation
-#define MAX_SIZE 100                  // Enum.1 violation -- use constexpr
-```
-
-## Source Files & Naming (SF.*, NL.*)
-
-### Key Rules
-
-| Rule | Summary |
-|------|---------|
-| **SF.1** | Use `.cpp` for code files and `.h` for interface files |
-| **SF.7** | Don't write `using namespace` at global scope in a header |
-| **SF.8** | Use `#include` guards for all `.h` files |
-| **SF.11** | Header files should be self-contained |
-| **NL.5** | Avoid encoding type information in names (no Hungarian notation) |
-| **NL.8** | Use a consistent naming style |
-| **NL.9** | Use ALL_CAPS for macro names only |
-| **NL.10** | Prefer `underscore_style` names |
-
-### Header Guard
-
-```cpp
-// SF.8: Include guard (or #pragma once)
-#ifndef PROJECT_MODULE_WIDGET_H
-#define PROJECT_MODULE_WIDGET_H
-
-// SF.11: Self-contained -- include everything this header needs
-#include <string>
-#include <vector>
-
-namespace project::module {
-
-class Widget {
-public:
-    explicit Widget(std::string name);
-    const std::string& name() const;
-
-private:
-    std::string name_;
-};
-
-}  // namespace project::module
-
-#endif  // PROJECT_MODULE_WIDGET_H
-```
-
-### Naming Conventions
-
-```cpp
-// NL.8 + NL.10: Consistent underscore_style
-namespace my_project {
-
-constexpr int max_buffer_size = 4096;  // NL.9: not ALL_CAPS (it's not a macro)
-
-class tcp_connection {                 // underscore_style class
-public:
-    void send_message(std::string_view msg);
-    bool is_connected() const;
-
-private:
-    std::string host_;                 // trailing underscore for members
-    int port_;
-};
-
-}  // namespace my_project
-```
-
-### Anti-Patterns
-
-- `using namespace std;` in a header at global scope (SF.7)
-- Headers that depend on inclusion order (SF.10, SF.11)
-- Hungarian notation like `strName`, `iCount` (NL.5)
-- ALL_CAPS for anything other than macros (NL.9)
-
-## Performance (Per.*)
-
-### Key Rules
-
-| Rule | Summary |
-|------|---------|
-| **Per.1** | Don't optimize without reason |
-| **Per.2** | Don't optimize prematurely |
-| **Per.6** | Don't make claims about performance without measurements |
-| **Per.7** | Design to enable optimization |
-| **Per.10** | Rely on the static type system |
-| **Per.11** | Move computation from run time to compile time |
-| **Per.19** | Access memory predictably |
-
-### Guidelines
-
-```cpp
-// Per.11: Compile-time computation where possible
-constexpr auto lookup_table = [] {
-    std::array<int, 256> table{};
-    for (int i = 0; i < 256; ++i) {
-        table[i] = i * i;
-    }
-    return table;
-}();
-
-// Per.19: Prefer contiguous data for cache-friendliness
-std::vector<Point> points;           // GOOD: contiguous
-std::vector<std::unique_ptr<Point>> indirect_points; // BAD: pointer chasing
-```
-
-### Anti-Patterns
-
-- Optimizing without profiling data (Per.1, Per.6)
-- Choosing "clever" low-level code over clear abstractions (Per.4, Per.5)
-- Ignoring data layout and cache behavior (Per.19)
-
-## Quick Reference Checklist
-
-Before marking C++ work complete:
-
-- [ ] No raw `new`/`delete` -- use smart pointers or RAII (R.11)
-- [ ] Objects initialized at declaration (ES.20)
-- [ ] Variables are `const`/`constexpr` by default (Con.1, ES.25)
-- [ ] Member functions are `const` where possible (Con.2)
-- [ ] `enum class` instead of plain `enum` (Enum.3)
-- [ ] `nullptr` instead of `0`/`NULL` (ES.47)
-- [ ] No narrowing conversions (ES.46)
-- [ ] No C-style casts (ES.48)
-- [ ] Single-argument constructors are `explicit` (C.46)
-- [ ] Rule of Zero or Rule of Five applied (C.20, C.21)
-- [ ] Base class destructors are public virtual or protected non-virtual (C.35)
-- [ ] Templates are constrained with concepts (T.10)
-- [ ] No `using namespace` in headers at global scope (SF.7)
-- [ ] Headers have include guards and are self-contained (SF.8, SF.11)
-- [ ] Locks use RAII (`scoped_lock`/`lock_guard`) (CP.20)
-- [ ] Exceptions are custom types, thrown by value, caught by reference (E.14, E.15)
-- [ ] `'\n'` instead of `std::endl` (SL.io.50)
-- [ ] No magic numbers (ES.45)
+---
+name: cpp-coding-standards
+description: C++ coding standards based on the C++ Core Guidelines (isocpp.github.io). Use when writing, reviewing, or refactoring C++ code to enforce modern, safe, and idiomatic practices.
+metadata:
+  origin: ECC
+---
+
+# C++ Coding Standards (C++ Core Guidelines)
+
+Comprehensive coding standards for modern C++ (C++17/20/23) derived from the [C++ Core Guidelines](https://isocpp.github.io/CppCoreGuidelines/CppCoreGuidelines). Enforces type safety, resource safety, immutability, and clarity.
+
+## When to Use
+
+- Writing new C++ code (classes, functions, templates)
+- Reviewing or refactoring existing C++ code
+- Making architectural decisions in C++ projects
+- Enforcing consistent style across a C++ codebase
+- Choosing between language features (e.g., `enum` vs `enum class`, raw pointer vs smart pointer)
+
+### When NOT to Use
+
+- Non-C++ projects
+- Legacy C codebases that cannot adopt modern C++ features
+- Embedded/bare-metal contexts where specific guidelines conflict with hardware constraints (adapt selectively)
+
+## Cross-Cutting Principles
+
+These themes recur across the entire guidelines and form the foundation:
+
+1. **RAII everywhere** (P.8, R.1, E.6, CP.20): Bind resource lifetime to object lifetime
+2. **Immutability by default** (P.10, Con.1-5, ES.25): Start with `const`/`constexpr`; mutability is the exception
+3. **Type safety** (P.4, I.4, ES.46-49, Enum.3): Use the type system to prevent errors at compile time
+4. **Express intent** (P.3, F.1, NL.1-2, T.10): Names, types, and concepts should communicate purpose
+5. **Minimize complexity** (F.2-3, ES.5, Per.4-5): Simple code is correct code
+6. **Value semantics over pointer semantics** (C.10, R.3-5, F.20, CP.31): Prefer returning by value and scoped objects
+
+## Philosophy & Interfaces (P.*, I.*)
+
+### Key Rules
+
+| Rule | Summary |
+|------|---------|
+| **P.1** | Express ideas directly in code |
+| **P.3** | Express intent |
+| **P.4** | Ideally, a program should be statically type safe |
+| **P.5** | Prefer compile-time checking to run-time checking |
+| **P.8** | Don't leak any resources |
+| **P.10** | Prefer immutable data to mutable data |
+| **I.1** | Make interfaces explicit |
+| **I.2** | Avoid non-const global variables |
+| **I.4** | Make interfaces precisely and strongly typed |
+| **I.11** | Never transfer ownership by a raw pointer or reference |
+| **I.23** | Keep the number of function arguments low |
+
+### DO
+
+```cpp
+// P.10 + I.4: Immutable, strongly typed interface
+struct Temperature {
+    double kelvin;
+};
+
+Temperature boil(const Temperature& water);
+```
+
+### DON'T
+
+```cpp
+// Weak interface: unclear ownership, unclear units
+double boil(double* temp);
+
+// Non-const global variable
+int g_counter = 0;  // I.2 violation
+```
+
+## Functions (F.*)
+
+### Key Rules
+
+| Rule | Summary |
+|------|---------|
+| **F.1** | Package meaningful operations as carefully named functions |
+| **F.2** | A function should perform a single logical operation |
+| **F.3** | Keep functions short and simple |
+| **F.4** | If a function might be evaluated at compile time, declare it `constexpr` |
+| **F.6** | If your function must not throw, declare it `noexcept` |
+| **F.8** | Prefer pure functions |
+| **F.16** | For "in" parameters, pass cheaply-copied types by value and others by `const&` |
+| **F.20** | For "out" values, prefer return values to output parameters |
+| **F.21** | To return multiple "out" values, prefer returning a struct |
+| **F.43** | Never return a pointer or reference to a local object |
+
+### Parameter Passing
+
+```cpp
+// F.16: Cheap types by value, others by const&
+void print(int x);                           // cheap: by value
+void analyze(const std::string& data);       // expensive: by const&
+void transform(std::string s);               // sink: by value (will move)
+
+// F.20 + F.21: Return values, not output parameters
+struct ParseResult {
+    std::string token;
+    int position;
+};
+
+ParseResult parse(std::string_view input);   // GOOD: return struct
+
+// BAD: output parameters
+void parse(std::string_view input,
+           std::string& token, int& pos);    // avoid this
+```
+
+### Pure Functions and constexpr
+
+```cpp
+// F.4 + F.8: Pure, constexpr where possible
+constexpr int factorial(int n) noexcept {
+    return (n <= 1) ? 1 : n * factorial(n - 1);
+}
+
+static_assert(factorial(5) == 120);
+```
+
+### Anti-Patterns
+
+- Returning `T&&` from functions (F.45)
+- Using `va_arg` / C-style variadics (F.55)
+- Capturing by reference in lambdas passed to other threads (F.53)
+- Returning `const T` which inhibits move semantics (F.49)
+
+## Classes & Class Hierarchies (C.*)
+
+### Key Rules
+
+| Rule | Summary |
+|------|---------|
+| **C.2** | Use `class` if invariant exists; `struct` if data members vary independently |
+| **C.9** | Minimize exposure of members |
+| **C.20** | If you can avoid defining default operations, do (Rule of Zero) |
+| **C.21** | If you define or `=delete` any copy/move/destructor, handle them all (Rule of Five) |
+| **C.35** | Base class destructor: public virtual or protected non-virtual |
+| **C.41** | A constructor should create a fully initialized object |
+| **C.46** | Declare single-argument constructors `explicit` |
+| **C.67** | A polymorphic class should suppress public copy/move |
+| **C.128** | Virtual functions: specify exactly one of `virtual`, `override`, or `final` |
+
+### Rule of Zero
+
+```cpp
+// C.20: Let the compiler generate special members
+struct Employee {
+    std::string name;
+    std::string department;
+    int id;
+    // No destructor, copy/move constructors, or assignment operators needed
+};
+```
+
+### Rule of Five
+
+```cpp
+// C.21: If you must manage a resource, define all five
+class Buffer {
+public:
+    explicit Buffer(std::size_t size)
+        : data_(std::make_unique<char[]>(size)), size_(size) {}
+
+    ~Buffer() = default;
+
+    Buffer(const Buffer& other)
+        : data_(std::make_unique<char[]>(other.size_)), size_(other.size_) {
+        std::copy_n(other.data_.get(), size_, data_.get());
+    }
+
+    Buffer& operator=(const Buffer& other) {
+        if (this != &other) {
+            auto new_data = std::make_unique<char[]>(other.size_);
+            std::copy_n(other.data_.get(), other.size_, new_data.get());
+            data_ = std::move(new_data);
+            size_ = other.size_;
+        }
+        return *this;
+    }
+
+    Buffer(Buffer&&) noexcept = default;
+    Buffer& operator=(Buffer&&) noexcept = default;
+
+private:
+    std::unique_ptr<char[]> data_;
+    std::size_t size_;
+};
+```
+
+### Class Hierarchy
+
+```cpp
+// C.35 + C.128: Virtual destructor, use override
+class Shape {
+public:
+    virtual ~Shape() = default;
+    virtual double area() const = 0;  // C.121: pure interface
+};
+
+class Circle : public Shape {
+public:
+    explicit Circle(double r) : radius_(r) {}
+    double area() const override { return 3.14159 * radius_ * radius_; }
+
+private:
+    double radius_;
+};
+```
+
+### Anti-Patterns
+
+- Calling virtual functions in constructors/destructors (C.82)
+- Using `memset`/`memcpy` on non-trivial types (C.90)
+- Providing different default arguments for virtual function and overrider (C.140)
+- Making data members `const` or references, which suppresses move/copy (C.12)
+
+## Resource Management (R.*)
+
+### Key Rules
+
+| Rule | Summary |
+|------|---------|
+| **R.1** | Manage resources automatically using RAII |
+| **R.3** | A raw pointer (`T*`) is non-owning |
+| **R.5** | Prefer scoped objects; don't heap-allocate unnecessarily |
+| **R.10** | Avoid `malloc()`/`free()` |
+| **R.11** | Avoid calling `new` and `delete` explicitly |
+| **R.20** | Use `unique_ptr` or `shared_ptr` to represent ownership |
+| **R.21** | Prefer `unique_ptr` over `shared_ptr` unless sharing ownership |
+| **R.22** | Use `make_shared()` to make `shared_ptr`s |
+
+### Smart Pointer Usage
+
+```cpp
+// R.11 + R.20 + R.21: RAII with smart pointers
+auto widget = std::make_unique<Widget>("config");  // unique ownership
+auto cache  = std::make_shared<Cache>(1024);        // shared ownership
+
+// R.3: Raw pointer = non-owning observer
+void render(const Widget* w) {  // does NOT own w
+    if (w) w->draw();
+}
+
+render(widget.get());
+```
+
+### RAII Pattern
+
+```cpp
+// R.1: Resource acquisition is initialization
+class FileHandle {
+public:
+    explicit FileHandle(const std::string& path)
+        : handle_(std::fopen(path.c_str(), "r")) {
+        if (!handle_) throw std::runtime_error("Failed to open: " + path);
+    }
+
+    ~FileHandle() {
+        if (handle_) std::fclose(handle_);
+    }
+
+    FileHandle(const FileHandle&) = delete;
+    FileHandle& operator=(const FileHandle&) = delete;
+    FileHandle(FileHandle&& other) noexcept
+        : handle_(std::exchange(other.handle_, nullptr)) {}
+    FileHandle& operator=(FileHandle&& other) noexcept {
+        if (this != &other) {
+            if (handle_) std::fclose(handle_);
+            handle_ = std::exchange(other.handle_, nullptr);
+        }
+        return *this;
+    }
+
+private:
+    std::FILE* handle_;
+};
+```
+
+### Anti-Patterns
+
+- Naked `new`/`delete` (R.11)
+- `malloc()`/`free()` in C++ code (R.10)
+- Multiple resource allocations in a single expression (R.13 -- exception safety hazard)
+- `shared_ptr` where `unique_ptr` suffices (R.21)
+
+## Expressions & Statements (ES.*)
+
+### Key Rules
+
+| Rule | Summary |
+|------|---------|
+| **ES.5** | Keep scopes small |
+| **ES.20** | Always initialize an object |
+| **ES.23** | Prefer `{}` initializer syntax |
+| **ES.25** | Declare objects `const` or `constexpr` unless modification is intended |
+| **ES.28** | Use lambdas for complex initialization of `const` variables |
+| **ES.45** | Avoid magic constants; use symbolic constants |
+| **ES.46** | Avoid narrowing/lossy arithmetic conversions |
+| **ES.47** | Use `nullptr` rather than `0` or `NULL` |
+| **ES.48** | Avoid casts |
+| **ES.50** | Don't cast away `const` |
+
+### Initialization
+
+```cpp
+// ES.20 + ES.23 + ES.25: Always initialize, prefer {}, default to const
+const int max_retries{3};
+const std::string name{"widget"};
+const std::vector<int> primes{2, 3, 5, 7, 11};
+
+// ES.28: Lambda for complex const initialization
+const auto config = [&] {
+    Config c;
+    c.timeout = std::chrono::seconds{30};
+    c.retries = max_retries;
+    c.verbose = debug_mode;
+    return c;
+}();
+```
+
+### Anti-Patterns
+
+- Uninitialized variables (ES.20)
+- Using `0` or `NULL` as pointer (ES.47 -- use `nullptr`)
+- C-style casts (ES.48 -- use `static_cast`, `const_cast`, etc.)
+- Casting away `const` (ES.50)
+- Magic numbers without named constants (ES.45)
+- Mixing signed and unsigned arithmetic (ES.100)
+- Reusing names in nested scopes (ES.12)
+
+## Error Handling (E.*)
+
+### Key Rules
+
+| Rule | Summary |
+|------|---------|
+| **E.1** | Develop an error-handling strategy early in a design |
+| **E.2** | Throw an exception to signal that a function can't perform its assigned task |
+| **E.6** | Use RAII to prevent leaks |
+| **E.12** | Use `noexcept` when throwing is impossible or unacceptable |
+| **E.14** | Use purpose-designed user-defined types as exceptions |
+| **E.15** | Throw by value, catch by reference |
+| **E.16** | Destructors, deallocation, and swap must never fail |
+| **E.17** | Don't try to catch every exception in every function |
+
+### Exception Hierarchy
+
+```cpp
+// E.14 + E.15: Custom exception types, throw by value, catch by reference
+class AppError : public std::runtime_error {
+public:
+    using std::runtime_error::runtime_error;
+};
+
+class NetworkError : public AppError {
+public:
+    NetworkError(const std::string& msg, int code)
+        : AppError(msg), status_code(code) {}
+    int status_code;
+};
+
+void fetch_data(const std::string& url) {
+    // E.2: Throw to signal failure
+    throw NetworkError("connection refused", 503);
+}
+
+void run() {
+    try {
+        fetch_data("https://api.example.com");
+    } catch (const NetworkError& e) {
+        log_error(e.what(), e.status_code);
+    } catch (const AppError& e) {
+        log_error(e.what());
+    }
+    // E.17: Don't catch everything here -- let unexpected errors propagate
+}
+```
+
+### Anti-Patterns
+
+- Throwing built-in types like `int` or string literals (E.14)
+- Catching by value (slicing risk) (E.15)
+- Empty catch blocks that silently swallow errors
+- Using exceptions for flow control (E.3)
+- Error handling based on global state like `errno` (E.28)
+
+## Constants & Immutability (Con.*)
+
+### All Rules
+
+| Rule | Summary |
+|------|---------|
+| **Con.1** | By default, make objects immutable |
+| **Con.2** | By default, make member functions `const` |
+| **Con.3** | By default, pass pointers and references to `const` |
+| **Con.4** | Use `const` for values that don't change after construction |
+| **Con.5** | Use `constexpr` for values computable at compile time |
+
+```cpp
+// Con.1 through Con.5: Immutability by default
+class Sensor {
+public:
+    explicit Sensor(std::string id) : id_(std::move(id)) {}
+
+    // Con.2: const member functions by default
+    const std::string& id() const { return id_; }
+    double last_reading() const { return reading_; }
+
+    // Only non-const when mutation is required
+    void record(double value) { reading_ = value; }
+
+private:
+    const std::string id_;  // Con.4: never changes after construction
+    double reading_{0.0};
+};
+
+// Con.3: Pass by const reference
+void display(const Sensor& s) {
+    std::cout << s.id() << ": " << s.last_reading() << '\n';
+}
+
+// Con.5: Compile-time constants
+constexpr double PI = 3.14159265358979;
+constexpr int MAX_SENSORS = 256;
+```
+
+## Concurrency & Parallelism (CP.*)
+
+### Key Rules
+
+| Rule | Summary |
+|------|---------|
+| **CP.2** | Avoid data races |
+| **CP.3** | Minimize explicit sharing of writable data |
+| **CP.4** | Think in terms of tasks, rather than threads |
+| **CP.8** | Don't use `volatile` for synchronization |
+| **CP.20** | Use RAII, never plain `lock()`/`unlock()` |
+| **CP.21** | Use `std::scoped_lock` to acquire multiple mutexes |
+| **CP.22** | Never call unknown code while holding a lock |
+| **CP.42** | Don't wait without a condition |
+| **CP.44** | Remember to name your `lock_guard`s and `unique_lock`s |
+| **CP.100** | Don't use lock-free programming unless you absolutely have to |
+
+### Safe Locking
+
+```cpp
+// CP.20 + CP.44: RAII locks, always named
+class ThreadSafeQueue {
+public:
+    void push(int value) {
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);  // CP.44: named!
+        queue_.push(value);
+        cv_.notify_one();
+    }
+
+    int pop() {
+        std::unique_lock<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
+        // CP.42: Always wait with a condition
+        cv_.wait(lock, [this] { return !queue_.empty(); });
+        const int value = queue_.front();
+        queue_.pop();
+        return value;
+    }
+
+private:
+    std::mutex mutex_;             // CP.50: mutex with its data
+    std::condition_variable cv_;
+    std::queue<int> queue_;
+};
+```
+
+### Multiple Mutexes
+
+```cpp
+// CP.21: std::scoped_lock for multiple mutexes (deadlock-free)
+void transfer(Account& from, Account& to, double amount) {
+    std::scoped_lock lock(from.mutex_, to.mutex_);
+    from.balance_ -= amount;
+    to.balance_ += amount;
+}
+```
+
+### Anti-Patterns
+
+- `volatile` for synchronization (CP.8 -- it's for hardware I/O only)
+- Detaching threads (CP.26 -- lifetime management becomes nearly impossible)
+- Unnamed lock guards: `std::lock_guard<std::mutex>(m);` destroys immediately (CP.44)
+- Holding locks while calling callbacks (CP.22 -- deadlock risk)
+- Lock-free programming without deep expertise (CP.100)
+
+## Templates & Generic Programming (T.*)
+
+### Key Rules
+
+| Rule | Summary |
+|------|---------|
+| **T.1** | Use templates to raise the level of abstraction |
+| **T.2** | Use templates to express algorithms for many argument types |
+| **T.10** | Specify concepts for all template arguments |
+| **T.11** | Use standard concepts whenever possible |
+| **T.13** | Prefer shorthand notation for simple concepts |
+| **T.43** | Prefer `using` over `typedef` |
+| **T.120** | Use template metaprogramming only when you really need to |
+| **T.144** | Don't specialize function templates (overload instead) |
+
+### Concepts (C++20)
+
+```cpp
+#include <concepts>
+
+// T.10 + T.11: Constrain templates with standard concepts
+template<std::integral T>
+T gcd(T a, T b) {
+    while (b != 0) {
+        a = std::exchange(b, a % b);
+    }
+    return a;
+}
+
+// T.13: Shorthand concept syntax
+void sort(std::ranges::random_access_range auto& range) {
+    std::ranges::sort(range);
+}
+
+// Custom concept for domain-specific constraints
+template<typename T>
+concept Serializable = requires(const T& t) {
+    { t.serialize() } -> std::convertible_to<std::string>;
+};
+
+template<Serializable T>
+void save(const T& obj, const std::string& path);
+```
+
+### Anti-Patterns
+
+- Unconstrained templates in visible namespaces (T.47)
+- Specializing function templates instead of overloading (T.144)
+- Template metaprogramming where `constexpr` suffices (T.120)
+- `typedef` instead of `using` (T.43)
+
+## Standard Library (SL.*)
+
+### Key Rules
+
+| Rule | Summary |
+|------|---------|
+| **SL.1** | Use libraries wherever possible |
+| **SL.2** | Prefer the standard library to other libraries |
+| **SL.con.1** | Prefer `std::array` or `std::vector` over C arrays |
+| **SL.con.2** | Prefer `std::vector` by default |
+| **SL.str.1** | Use `std::string` to own character sequences |
+| **SL.str.2** | Use `std::string_view` to refer to character sequences |
+| **SL.io.50** | Avoid `endl` (use `'\n'` -- `endl` forces a flush) |
+
+```cpp
+// SL.con.1 + SL.con.2: Prefer vector/array over C arrays
+const std::array<int, 4> fixed_data{1, 2, 3, 4};
+std::vector<std::string> dynamic_data;
+
+// SL.str.1 + SL.str.2: string owns, string_view observes
+std::string build_greeting(std::string_view name) {
+    return "Hello, " + std::string(name) + "!";
+}
+
+// SL.io.50: Use '\n' not endl
+std::cout << "result: " << value << '\n';
+```
+
+## Enumerations (Enum.*)
+
+### Key Rules
+
+| Rule | Summary |
+|------|---------|
+| **Enum.1** | Prefer enumerations over macros |
+| **Enum.3** | Prefer `enum class` over plain `enum` |
+| **Enum.5** | Don't use ALL_CAPS for enumerators |
+| **Enum.6** | Avoid unnamed enumerations |
+
+```cpp
+// Enum.3 + Enum.5: Scoped enum, no ALL_CAPS
+enum class Color { red, green, blue };
+enum class LogLevel { debug, info, warning, error };
+
+// BAD: plain enum leaks names, ALL_CAPS clashes with macros
+enum { RED, GREEN, BLUE };           // Enum.3 + Enum.5 + Enum.6 violation
+#define MAX_SIZE 100                  // Enum.1 violation -- use constexpr
+```
+
+## Source Files & Naming (SF.*, NL.*)
+
+### Key Rules
+
+| Rule | Summary |
+|------|---------|
+| **SF.1** | Use `.cpp` for code files and `.h` for interface files |
+| **SF.7** | Don't write `using namespace` at global scope in a header |
+| **SF.8** | Use `#include` guards for all `.h` files |
+| **SF.11** | Header files should be self-contained |
+| **NL.5** | Avoid encoding type information in names (no Hungarian notation) |
+| **NL.8** | Use a consistent naming style |
+| **NL.9** | Use ALL_CAPS for macro names only |
+| **NL.10** | Prefer `underscore_style` names |
+
+### Header Guard
+
+```cpp
+// SF.8: Include guard (or #pragma once)
+#ifndef PROJECT_MODULE_WIDGET_H
+#define PROJECT_MODULE_WIDGET_H
+
+// SF.11: Self-contained -- include everything this header needs
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+namespace project::module {
+
+class Widget {
+public:
+    explicit Widget(std::string name);
+    const std::string& name() const;
+
+private:
+    std::string name_;
+};
+
+}  // namespace project::module
+
+#endif  // PROJECT_MODULE_WIDGET_H
+```
+
+### Naming Conventions
+
+```cpp
+// NL.8 + NL.10: Consistent underscore_style
+namespace my_project {
+
+constexpr int max_buffer_size = 4096;  // NL.9: not ALL_CAPS (it's not a macro)
+
+class tcp_connection {                 // underscore_style class
+public:
+    void send_message(std::string_view msg);
+    bool is_connected() const;
+
+private:
+    std::string host_;                 // trailing underscore for members
+    int port_;
+};
+
+}  // namespace my_project
+```
+
+### Anti-Patterns
+
+- `using namespace std;` in a header at global scope (SF.7)
+- Headers that depend on inclusion order (SF.10, SF.11)
+- Hungarian notation like `strName`, `iCount` (NL.5)
+- ALL_CAPS for anything other than macros (NL.9)
+
+## Performance (Per.*)
+
+### Key Rules
+
+| Rule | Summary |
+|------|---------|
+| **Per.1** | Don't optimize without reason |
+| **Per.2** | Don't optimize prematurely |
+| **Per.6** | Don't make claims about performance without measurements |
+| **Per.7** | Design to enable optimization |
+| **Per.10** | Rely on the static type system |
+| **Per.11** | Move computation from run time to compile time |
+| **Per.19** | Access memory predictably |
+
+### Guidelines
+
+```cpp
+// Per.11: Compile-time computation where possible
+constexpr auto lookup_table = [] {
+    std::array<int, 256> table{};
+    for (int i = 0; i < 256; ++i) {
+        table[i] = i * i;
+    }
+    return table;
+}();
+
+// Per.19: Prefer contiguous data for cache-friendliness
+std::vector<Point> points;           // GOOD: contiguous
+std::vector<std::unique_ptr<Point>> indirect_points; // BAD: pointer chasing
+```
+
+### Anti-Patterns
+
+- Optimizing without profiling data (Per.1, Per.6)
+- Choosing "clever" low-level code over clear abstractions (Per.4, Per.5)
+- Ignoring data layout and cache behavior (Per.19)
+
+## Quick Reference Checklist
+
+Before marking C++ work complete:
+
+- [ ] No raw `new`/`delete` -- use smart pointers or RAII (R.11)
+- [ ] Objects initialized at declaration (ES.20)
+- [ ] Variables are `const`/`constexpr` by default (Con.1, ES.25)
+- [ ] Member functions are `const` where possible (Con.2)
+- [ ] `enum class` instead of plain `enum` (Enum.3)
+- [ ] `nullptr` instead of `0`/`NULL` (ES.47)
+- [ ] No narrowing conversions (ES.46)
+- [ ] No C-style casts (ES.48)
+- [ ] Single-argument constructors are `explicit` (C.46)
+- [ ] Rule of Zero or Rule of Five applied (C.20, C.21)
+- [ ] Base class destructors are public virtual or protected non-virtual (C.35)
+- [ ] Templates are constrained with concepts (T.10)
+- [ ] No `using namespace` in headers at global scope (SF.7)
+- [ ] Headers have include guards and are self-contained (SF.8, SF.11)
+- [ ] Locks use RAII (`scoped_lock`/`lock_guard`) (CP.20)
+- [ ] Exceptions are custom types, thrown by value, caught by reference (E.14, E.15)
+- [ ] `'\n'` instead of `std::endl` (SL.io.50)
+- [ ] No magic numbers (ES.45)