How do I migrate legacy code to C++11?

Migrating legacy code to C++11 can significantly enhance the code's maintainability, performance, and safety. Below are key steps and examples illustrating how to transition from older C++ standards to C++11 features.

Key steps for migration include:

  • Analyzing existing code for compatibility with C++11.
  • Refactoring code to utilize new language features.
  • Testing thoroughly after each change to ensure functionality remains intact.

C++11 introduces several new features such as smart pointers, auto type deduction, range-based loops, and lambda expressions, which can simplify your code significantly.

Here’s a simple example demonstrating the use of smart pointers and auto keyword:

#include <iostream> #include <memory> class LegacyClass { public: void display() { std::cout << "LegacyClass display function called." << std::endl; } }; int main() { // Using unique_ptr instead of raw pointers std::unique_ptr<LegacyClass> obj = std::make_unique<LegacyClass>(); obj->display(); return 0; }

C++11 legacy code migration smart pointers auto keyword code refactoring