consistency and readability (self-documenting code) are important. some clues (such as case) can and should be used to avoid collisions, and to indicate whether an instance is required.
one of the best practices i got into was the use of code formatters (astyle and uncrustify are 2 examples). code formatters can destroy your code formatting - configure the formatter, and let it do its job. seriously, forget about manual formatting and get into the practice of using them. they will save a ton of time.
as mentioned, be very descriptive with naming. also, be very specific with scoping (class types/data/namespaces/anonymous namespaces). in general, i really like much of java's common written form - that is a good reference and similar to c++.
as for specific appearance/naming, this is a small sample similar to what i use (variables/arguments are lowerCamel and this only demonstrates a portion of the language's features):
/** MYC_BEGIN_FILE_ID::FD_Directory_nanotimer_FN_nanotimer_hpp_::MYC_BEGIN_FILE_DIR::Directory/nanotimer::MYC_BEGIN_FILE_FILE::nanotimer.hpp::Copyright... */
#ifndef FD_Directory_nanotimer_FN_nanotimer_hpp_
#define FD_Directory_nanotimer_FN_nanotimer_hpp_
/* typical commentary omitted -- comments detail notations/conventions. also, no defines/macros other than header guards */
namespace NamespaceName {
/* types prefixed with 't_' */
class t_nanotimer : public t_base_timer {
/* private types */
class t_thing {
/*...*/
};
public:
/* public types */
typedef uint64_t t_nanosecond;
/* factory initializers -- UpperCamel */
t_nanotimer* WithFloat(const float& arg);
/* public/protected class interface -- UpperCamel */
static float Uptime();
protected:
/* static class data -- UpperCamel -- accessors, if needed, use Get/Set prefix */
static const t_spoke Spoke;
public:
/* enums in interface are labeled as static class data */
enum { Granularity = 4 };
public:
/* construction/destruction -- always use proper initialization list */
explicit t_nanotimer(t_init);
explicit t_nanotimer(const float& arg);
virtual ~t_nanotimer();
/*
public and protected instance methods -- lowercaseCamel()
- booleans prefer is/has
- accessors use the form: getVariable() setVariable().
const-correctness is important
*/
const void* address() const;
virtual uint64_t hashCode() const;
protected:
/* interfaces/implementation of base pure virtuals (assume this was pure virtual in t_base_timer) */
virtual bool hasExpired() const;
private:
/* private methods and private static data */
void invalidate();
private:
/*
instance variables
- i tend to use underscore suffix, but d_ (for example) is another good alternative
- note redundancy in visibility
*/
t_thing ivar_;
private:
/* prohibited stuff */
explicit t_nanotimer();
explicit t_nanotimer(const int&);
};
} /* << NamespaceName */
/* i often add a multiple include else block here, preferring package-style inclusions */
#endif /* MYC_END_FILE::FD_Directory_nanotimer_FN_nanotimer_hpp_ */
