Need ideas for C++ program

OFDM

I have an assignment in c++ in which I have to write a program on a topic of my choice to implement various basic c++ concepts such as abstract classes, templates, virtual methods etc.

However, we can't use any of the following as the basis for the program:
Bank accounts
Personnel structures
Vehicles/cars
Geometric shapes

Sadly this rules out every kind of application my limited imagination can produce.
Can anyone suggest anything?

deadl0ck

Video / DVD Rental Store system

Evil Phil

Timesheet system

jessy

OFDM wrote:

I have an assignment in c++ in which I have to write a program on a topic of my choice to implement various basic c++ concepts such as abstract classes, templates, virtual methods etc.

However, we any of the following as the basis for the program:
Bank accounts
Personnel structures
Vehicles/cars
Geometric shapes

Sadly this rules out every kind of application my limited imagination can produce.
Can anyone suggest anything?

Would Personnel structures not rule out "Timesheet system" and "Video / DVD Rental Store system" as they would both need these structures to run correctly?

Why not try a very simple game like Connect 4, or X's and O's.

Evil Phil

I don't know, his post is unclear as to whether or not he needs to use these. It made more sense to me that he'd have to learn how to use them rather than avoid them.

OFDM

Evil Phil wrote:

I don't know, his post is unclear as to whether or not he needs to use these. It made more sense to me that he'd have to learn how to use them rather than avoid them.

What I posted is the sum total of what we've been told. The application necessary need not make perfect sense when including all the programming point needed to be implemented. We also can't do any sort of account, not only bank accounts...

p.pete

Sounds like a lecturer bored with the normal project ideas... Is there marks for originality?

Evil Phil

However, we any of the following as the basis for the program

Sorry, you've left a bit out here (must use or can't use), I've made an incorrect assumption. How about a gif to jpg converter? Or something that tests the latency of a modem?

bringitdown

We did a rabbit breeding simulation in C ... completely arbitrary breeding algorithms and no real care as to rabbit sex (i.e. a rabbit could breed with all rabbits!) but in C++:

Rabbit is an Animal
You could implement several different breeding algorithms

That should be enough to see where you could start and as a programming problem it is trivial.

jessy

I'm Still saying that a game is the way to go, Remember games like draughts and chess aren’t really about Draughts or chess its about AI. AI at the minuet is crap, and doesn’t really work; you could try some of your own algorithms if you’re felling adventures.

Stugots

Agree with Jessy (and not just because we share the 3D Homer Avatar) - writing your own game is the way to go. That's what got me interested in programming in the first place. You'll get a kick out of it and a very simple game can demonstrate all the OO concepts and facilities you want. Moreover, nobody is going to play with your bank account simulator, but everybody wants to try out your most basic game. There's a certain thrill in seeing people actually use your code.

I did an OU Java course a couple of years ago and one of the projects was to write a client/server Xs and Os game. The client would connect to the server which would pair up players and transmit the moves between them. It wasn't terribly difficult, but everybody went to extreme lengths to make their client interface the slickest etc. Simple game, but very enjoyable to implement + demonstrated lots of OO and networking concepts.

Hobbes

Evil Phil wrote:

Sorry, you've left a bit out here (must use or can't use), I've made an incorrect assumption. How about a gif to jpg converter? Or something that tests the latency of a modem?

Yea I was thinking that too. An internet tool. How about a packet watcher?

musician.ie

Have a look at Conway's Game of Life. It's fairly easy to implement and very interesting to boot.

OFDM

Evil Phil wrote:

Sorry, you've left a bit out here (must use or can't use), I've made an incorrect assumption. How about a gif to jpg converter? Or something that tests the latency of a modem?

Fixed (there should have been a "can't use any of the following" in there).