Software Architecture with C++

Architect high-quality C++ applications using modern features and patterns, with expanded coverage and practical new examples throughout the book.

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Key Features

• Design modern C++ systems using features from C++11 through C++20 and beyond
• Explore distributed system design with observability, scalability, and maintainability in mind
• Manage and package C++ applications, and prepare them for deployment using CMake, Conan, and CI/CD

Book Description

Designing scalable and maintainable software with C++ requires more than language expertise—it demands strong architectural thinking. This practical guide equips you with the skills to design and build robust, distributed systems using modern C++.

Starting with fundamental architectural principles and design philosophies, the book walks you through practical approaches to designing and deploying reliable systems. This edition contains significant updates across the book, including new chapters on observability, package management, and C++ modules to address real-world software challenges. You will explore software decomposition strategies, design and system patterns, fault tolerance, API management, and testability—all applied with C++.

Additionally, the book covers modern CI/CD pipelines, cloud-native design, microservices, and modular development, helping developers navigate today's fast-evolving software landscape. With updated examples and a renewed emphasis on maintainable and observable architectures, this edition equips C++ professionals to architect modern systems. By the end of this book, you will be able to design, build, test, and deploy well-architected solutions using modern C++ and proven architectural techniques.

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What you will learn

• Apply architectural fundamentals to design scalable C++ systems
• Use modern C++ features to create maintainable and secure applications
• Implement architectural and system design patterns
• Design testable code and automate quality checks via CI/CD pipelines
• Manage dependencies and build systems using CMake and Conan
• Explore microservices, containers, and cloud-native practices in C++
• Improve observability with logging, tracing, and monitoring tools
• Build deployable C++ systems suited for modern development environments

Who this book is for

This book is intended for experienced C++ developers and software engineers aiming to expand their architectural knowledge, lead software projects, or build scalable systems. It assumes readers are comfortable with modern C++ (C++11 onwards) and familiar with basic design principles and patterns.

Table of Contents

1. Importance of Software Architecture and Principles of Great Design
2. Architectural Styles
3. Functional and Nonfunctional Requirements
4. Architectural and System Design Patterns
5. Leveraging C++ Language Features
6. Design Patterns and C++ Idioms
7. Building and Packaging
8. Package Management
9. The Future of C++ Code Reuse: Using Modules
10. Writing Testable Code
11. Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment
12. Security in Code and Deployment
13. Performance
14. Architecture of Distributed Systems
15. Interservice Communication
16. Containers
17. Observability
18. Cloud-Native Design

Andrey Gavrilin is a seasoned software engineer whose eagerness for computer games led him to explore C++, Pascal, and assembly language. He holds an MSc degree in engineering (industrial automation) and has worked across several domains, which allowed him to understand the importance of quality software architecture. His interests include system programming, embedded development, game programming, and electronics. An enthusiast of retro gaming and vintage computing, he enjoys studying how older technologies inform modern system design. These hobbies complement his professional work, providing creative inspiration and a fresh perspective on the IT evolution.

Adrian Ostrowski is a modern C++ enthusiast interested in the development of both the C++ language itself and the high-quality code written in it. A lifelong learner with over a decade of experience in the IT industry and in C++ specifically, he's always eager to share his knowledge. His past projects range from parallel computing, through fiber networking, to working on a commodity exchange's trading system. In his spare time, Adrian used to promote music bands together with Piotr and has learned how to fly a glider. He likes riding his bicycle, going to music events, and browsing memes.

Piotr Gaczkowski has more than 10 years of experience in programming and practicing DevOps and uses his skills to improve people's lives. He likes building simple solutions to human problems, organizing cultural events, and teaching fellow professionals. Piotr is keen on automating boring activities and using his experience to share knowledge by conducting courses and writing articles about personal growth and remote work. He has worked in the IT industry both in full-time positions and as a freelancer, but his true passion is music. When not making his skills useful at work, you can find him building communities. In his spare time, Adrian used to promote music bands together with Piotr and has learned how to fly a glider. Currently, he likes riding his bicycle, going to music events, and browsing memes.