Plume C++ Style Guide

Naming Conventions

Class and struct names should be CamelCase.

Variable and function names should be all lowercase and separated by underscores (ex. int number_of_wheels).

In addition, the following prefixes should be used:

• m_ for member variables
• s_ for static variables
• g_ for global variables

Note that function parameters have no special prefix.

Use ALL_CAPS for macro and enum fields only - not constants.

Example:

enum class ErrorCode
{
  ERROR_OUT_OF_MEMORY,
  ERROR_BAD_PATH,
  // ...
}

Namespaces should also be all lowercase and separated by underscores (ex. namespace graphics).

Modifiers

Reference and pointer modifiers (& and *) always appear closest to the type.

Examples:

// Free-standing variables
T* ptr;

// Function return types
T& operator[](size_t index);

// Function parameters
void set_value(T& value);

Curly Braces

Always place curly braces on newlines. This includes:

• Class / struct declarations
• If-else blocks
• Try-catch statements
• Switch statements
• Function definitions
• Etc.

Example:

if (condition)
{
  // ...
}

Comments

Use doxygen style //! comments above class and function declarations to describe their intended purpose / functionality.

Otherwise, use the standard // comment notation. Do not use /* */ for multi-line comments.

Class Structure

Use the public before protected before private order.

Within each block, items should appear in the following order:

1. using declarations and typedefs
2. Static functions
3. Constructors
4. Destructors
5. Member functions
6. Static variables
7. Member variables
8. friend declarations