General Programming Style

Commenting Requirements:

• Each source and header file must begin with a comment block identifying the programmer, project, and last modification date.
• The source file containing main() must include a comment block (following the identification header comment), that briefly describes the purpose of the program and the primary data structures employed.
• Each function must be accompanied by a header comment that describes what the function does, the logical purpose of each parameter (including whether it is input, output, or input/output), the pre-conditions that a function call assumes and the post-conditions that are guaranteed, the return value (if any), and a list of other functions called by this function (if any).  These function header comments may be placed with the function prototype or with the function implementation.  
• Declarations of all local variables and constants must be accompanied by a brief description of purpose.
• Major control structures, such as loops or selections, should be preceded by a block comment describing what the following code does.
• Use a sensible, consistent pattern of indentation and other formatting style (such as bracket placement) to improve the readability of your code.

• Identifier names (constants, variables, functions, classes, etc.) should be descriptive.
• Pass function parameters with appropriate access.  Use pass-by-reference or pass-by-pointer only when the called function needs to modify the value of the actual parameter.  Use pass-by-constant-reference or pass-by-constant-pointer when passing large structures that are not modified by the called function.  Use pass-by-value when the called function must modify the formal parameter (internal to the call) but the actual parameter should remain unmodified.
• In general, store character data (aside from single characters) in string objects, rather than char arrays.
• Use new-style C++ at all times; e.g., use <iostream> instead of <iostream.h>.  Try not mix old and new style C++ headers.
• Use stream I/O instead of C-style I/O.