Today I learned how C++ implements object oriented programming (OOP).   OOP allows for the implementation of class libraries, which is why I needed to learn more about C++ in the first place (some of the visualization libraries contain class libraries). The topics that I learned about today include

• operator overloading
• inheritance
  • public, protected, and private access rights to member data and functions
  • methods of properly dealing with constuctors and destructors of base classes and derived classes
  • virtual base classes
  • virtual functions
• Polymorphism
• Templates
  • Generic functions (very useful!)
  • generic classes

I'll soon forget the details of the syntax and some of the important caveats, but I've learned the general ideas and the most basic syntax, which is the important part.  I can always refer to the details as needed.  Over the next two days, I'll learn about exception handling, the Standard Template Library (STL), namespaces, advanced I/O, and assorted "advanced" topics.

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