This is some rules for effective C++ programming. These is taken from Scott Meyers, and is presented in their short form. This is not all the rules Meyers presents, only the most important of them. LyX does not yet follow these rules, but they should be the goal.

- Use const and inline instead of #define

- Prefer iostream.h to stdio.h (LyX does not use this)

- Use the same form in corresponding calls to new and delete,
  i.e. write delete[] obj; if new obj[n]; was used to create
  the object and write delete obj; if you wrote new obj;

- Define a copy constructor and an assignment operator for all
  classes with dynamically allocated memory.

- make destructors virtual in base classes

- assign to all data members in operator=.

- strive for class interfaces that are complete and minimal

- differentiate among member functions, global functions and friend
  functions.

- avoid data members in the public interface.

- use const whenever possible

- pass and return objects by reference instead of by value

- choose carefully between function overloading and
  parameter defaulting.

- never return a reference to a local object or a dereferenced
  pointer initialized by new within the function.

- use enums for integral constants.

- minimize compilation dependencies between files.

- pay attention to compiler warnings

- differentiate between inheritance of interface and
  inheritance of implementation.

- differentiate between inheritance and templates

- know what functions C++ silently writes and calls.

- ensure that global objects are initialized before they are used.

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S. Meyers. Effective C++, 50 Specific Ways to Improve Your Programs and Design. Addison-Wesley, 1992
