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C++ Library Development

bookWriting Clean and Stable Interfaces

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Designing a C++ library that is easy to use, robust, and maintainable requires careful attention to the public interface you expose. Your interface is the most visible part of your library: it is what every user interacts with, and it defines the contract between your code and its users. To write clean, minimal, and stable interfaces, follow these key guidelines:

Do
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  • Use descriptive, self-explanatory names for functions and parameters;
  • Keep your API minimal, exposing only what is necessary;
  • Document every public function and parameter clearly, as shown in the header file;
  • Prefer standard library types, such as std::vector, in your interface;
  • Use namespaces to avoid name collisions.
Don't
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  • Use cryptic or abbreviated names that require guesswork;
  • Expose implementation details or unnecessary dependencies in your headers;
  • Leave functions or parameters undocumented;
  • Accept or return raw pointers without clear ownership documentation;
  • Change your public API without considering backward compatibility.
math_utils.h

math_utils.h

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#pragma once

#include <vector>

/**
 * @brief Provides mathematical utility functions.
 *
 * All functions in this namespace are thread-safe and do not modify input data.
 */
namespace math_utils {

/**
 * @brief Computes the mean (average) of a vector of doubles.
 *
 * @param values A non-empty vector of double values.
 * @return The mean of the values. Returns 0.0 if the input vector is empty.
 *
 * Example:
 *     std::vector<double> nums = {1.0, 2.0, 3.0};
 *     double avg = math_utils::mean(nums); // avg == 2.0
 */
double mean(const std::vector<double>& values);

/**
 * @brief Computes the median of a vector of doubles.
 *
 * @param values A non-empty vector of double values.
 * @return The median value. Returns 0.0 if the input vector is empty.
 *
 * Example:
 *     std::vector<double> nums = {1.0, 3.0, 2.0};
 *     double med = math_utils::median(nums); // med == 2.0
 */
double median(const std::vector<double>& values);

} // namespace math_utils

By following these principles, you help ensure that your library is approachable, reliable, and easy to integrate into other projects.

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Which of the following is a best practice when designing C++ library interfaces, as demonstrated in the guidelines and header file example?

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