Build Real C++ Projects

Build a classic guess-the-number game from scratch in modern C++ with zero external dependencies. You generate a secret number with the <random> library, read player guesses from std::cin, and give higher or lower feedback inside a game loop until they win. A friendly first project that turns loops, conditionals, and input handling into something genuinely fun to play.

Write a command-line calculator from scratch in modern C++ that evaluates arithmetic the user types in. You parse an operator and two operands, dispatch on the operation, and guard against division by zero, all with the standard library only. A focused introduction to parsing input and branching cleanly.

Create a persistent to-do list manager from scratch in modern C++ using only the standard library. You store tasks in a std::vector of structs, add and remove items from a menu-driven loop, and save everything to a text file so your list survives between runs. A hands-on lesson in collections and file persistence.

Implement the word-guessing game Hangman from scratch in modern C++ with zero external dependencies. You pick a hidden word, track guessed letters, redraw the masked word each round, and count remaining lives until the player wins or runs out. A great exercise in string manipulation and tracking game state.

Build a two-player Tic-Tac-Toe game from scratch in modern C++ using only the standard library. You represent the board as a small grid, alternate turns between players, validate moves, and check every win line after each play. A satisfying project for practising arrays, functions, and game logic.

Write a flexible unit converter from scratch in modern C++ with zero external dependencies. You offer categories such as length, weight, and temperature, apply the right conversion formula, and print a neatly formatted result. A tidy project for practising functions, enums, and numeric formatting.

Create a branching text adventure from scratch in modern C++ using only the standard library. You model rooms and their exits, parse simple typed commands, move the player through a map, and manage a small inventory. A story-driven way to practise structs, containers, and program state.

Build a configurable password generator from scratch in modern C++ with zero external dependencies. You assemble a character pool from letters, digits, and symbols based on user options, then draw random characters with the <random> library to build a password of the requested length. A compact project centred on randomness and strings.

Write a flashcard quiz trainer from scratch in modern C++ using only the standard library. You load question-and-answer pairs from a file, shuffle the deck, quiz the user, and report a score at the end. A practical project for loading data, using containers, and shuffling with the random library.

Build a simple bank account simulator from scratch in modern C++ with zero external dependencies. You model accounts as structs, process deposits and withdrawals with balance checks, record a transaction history, and save it all to a file. A grounded introduction to modelling data and enforcing rules.

Build your own terminal text editor from scratch in modern C++ with zero external dependencies. Raw terminal mode, VT100 escape sequences, a text buffer, file I/O, incremental search, and syntax highlighting - the same foundations behind vim, nano, and kilo.

Build the arcade game Snake from scratch in modern C++ that runs entirely in your terminal with zero external dependencies. You put the terminal into raw mode for non-blocking input, drive a real-time game loop, grow the snake as it eats, and render every frame with VT100 escape sequences. A lively introduction to real-time input and timing.

Write a compliant JSON parser from scratch in modern C++ using only the standard library. You tokenise the input, build a recursive-descent parser for objects, arrays, strings, numbers, and literals, and represent the document tree with std::variant. A rigorous exercise in parsing and modern value types.

Build a Markdown to HTML converter from scratch in modern C++ with zero external dependencies. You read Markdown line by line, recognise block elements such as headings, lists, and code fences, then handle inline formatting like bold, italics, and links before emitting valid HTML. A clean project for practising string processing and stateful parsing.

Implement a Huffman file compressor from scratch in modern C++ using only the standard library. You count byte frequencies, build a Huffman tree with a priority queue, assign variable-length codes, and write a packed bitstream that you can later decode back to the original file. A satisfying dive into trees, greedy algorithms, and bit-level I/O.

Build an image editor from scratch in modern C++ that reads and writes the simple PPM format with zero external dependencies. You load pixels into memory, apply filters such as grayscale, blur, and flip, and save the result, all without any imaging library. A visual project that makes buffers and algorithms tangible.

Build a multi-client TCP chat server from scratch in modern C++ using POSIX sockets and the standard library only. You accept many connections, multiplex them with select or poll, and broadcast each message to every other participant. A focused introduction to network programming and event-driven I/O.

Write your own grep from scratch in modern C++ with zero external dependencies. You parse command-line flags, scan files or standard input line by line, match a pattern, and print results with optional line numbers and context. A practical project for command-line tooling and text search.

Build a working command-line shell from scratch in modern C++ using POSIX process APIs and the standard library. You read commands, tokenise them, launch programs with fork and execvp, and wire up pipes and redirection. A revealing project that shows how a shell really runs your programs.

Implement a Sudoku solver and puzzle generator from scratch in modern C++ with zero external dependencies. You solve any valid board with backtracking, then generate fresh puzzles with a unique solution by removing clues carefully. A classic algorithms project centred on recursion and constraint checking.

Build a full CHIP-8 emulator from scratch in modern C++ with zero external dependencies. You emulate the CPU registers, memory, stack, and timers, decode and execute every opcode, and render the monochrome display to the terminal. A deep dive into how a virtual machine fetches, decodes, and runs instructions.

Write a physically inspired ray tracer from scratch in modern C++ using only the standard library. You build a vector math foundation, cast rays through a virtual camera, intersect spheres and planes, and shade with diffuse, reflective, and shadow rays before writing a PPM image. A rewarding blend of maths, algorithms, and modern C++.

Build a small relational database engine from scratch in modern C++ with zero external dependencies. You parse a subset of SQL, store rows in tables, execute selects with filtering, and persist pages to disk. A challenging project that ties together parsing, data structures, and storage.

Build a multithreaded HTTP server from scratch in modern C++ using POSIX sockets and the standard library only. You accept connections, parse HTTP requests, serve static files, and dispatch work to a thread pool guarded by proper synchronisation. A serious exercise in networking and concurrency.

Implement your own memory allocator from scratch in modern C++ with zero external dependencies. You request memory from the operating system, carve it into blocks, track free and used regions, and implement malloc and free yourself with coalescing and splitting. A low-level project that demystifies dynamic memory.

Build a regular expression engine from scratch in modern C++ using only the standard library. You parse a pattern into a syntax tree, compile it to an NFA via Thompson construction, then simulate the automaton to match input. A theory-meets-practice project on automata and parsing.

Build an interpreter for a small scripting language from scratch in modern C++ with zero external dependencies. You tokenise source code, parse it into an AST, and either walk the tree or compile to bytecode for a stack-based virtual machine. A capstone project on the full pipeline from text to execution.

Build a chess engine from scratch in modern C++ using only the standard library. You represent the board, generate all legal moves including castling and en passant, then search with minimax, alpha-beta pruning, and a position evaluation. A demanding project in game AI and performance-minded C++.

Build a persistent key-value store from scratch in modern C++ with zero external dependencies. You append writes to a log, keep an in-memory index, serve reads quickly, and compact the log to reclaim space, all durable across restarts. A practical study of storage engines and crash-safe design.

Build a 2D physics engine from scratch in modern C++ using only the standard library. You integrate motion over time, detect collisions between circles and polygons, and resolve them with impulses and restitution. A maths-rich project that produces convincing, interactive simulation.