C++ Project Ideas
30 projects to master systems programming
C++ is a powerful systems programming language perfect for performance-critical applications, game development, and system software. These projects will help you master memory management, templates, STL, and advanced C++ features.
Beginner Projects
Learn C++ fundamentalsConsole Calculator
Advanced calculator with expression parsing and scientific functions
Skills you'll learn:
Student Grade Manager
Store and calculate student grades with file persistence
Skills you'll learn:
Simple Text Editor
Basic text manipulation with file operations and search
Skills you'll learn:
Number Base Converter
Convert between binary, decimal, hexadecimal, and octal
Skills you'll learn:
Hangman Game
Word guessing game with ASCII art and difficulty levels
Skills you'll learn:
Contact Manager
Store and search contacts with sorting functionality
Skills you'll learn:
Temperature Converter
Convert between Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin with validation
Skills you'll learn:
Simple Banking System
Account management with deposits, withdrawals, and balance tracking
Skills you'll learn:
Tic-Tac-Toe Game
Console-based game with AI opponent and win detection
Skills you'll learn:
Password Generator
Generate secure passwords with customizable criteria
Skills you'll learn:
Intermediate Projects
Advanced C++ features2D Game Engine
Simple game engine using SDL or SFML with sprite rendering
Skills you'll learn:
File Compression Tool
Implement Huffman coding and other compression algorithms
Skills you'll learn:
Simple Database System
Relational database with B-trees and query processing
Skills you'll learn:
Network Chat Server
Multi-client chat system using sockets and threading
Skills you'll learn:
Image Processing Tool
Apply filters and transformations to images
Skills you'll learn:
Custom Memory Allocator
Implement custom memory management with different strategies
Skills you'll learn:
Expression Evaluator
Parse and evaluate mathematical expressions with variables
Skills you'll learn:
Multi-threaded Web Server
HTTP server with thread pool and static file serving
Skills you'll learn:
Data Structure Library
Implement common data structures with templates
Skills you'll learn:
Audio Processing Engine
Process audio files with effects and format conversion
Skills you'll learn:
Advanced Projects
Professional systems programming3D Graphics Engine
OpenGL-based rendering engine with shaders and lighting
Skills you'll learn:
Operating System Kernel
Basic OS kernel with memory management and process scheduling
Skills you'll learn:
Compiler/Interpreter
Build a compiler for a custom programming language
Skills you'll learn:
High-Frequency Trading System
Low-latency trading platform with microsecond performance
Skills you'll learn:
Ray Tracer
Photorealistic rendering engine with advanced lighting
Skills you'll learn:
Distributed Computing Framework
Multi-node distributed computing system with fault tolerance
Skills you'll learn:
Game Physics Engine
Physics simulation engine for games with collision detection
Skills you'll learn:
Database Management System
Full-featured DBMS with ACID properties and SQL support
Skills you'll learn:
Machine Learning Framework
Neural network framework with GPU acceleration
Skills you'll learn:
Virtual Machine
Virtual machine with bytecode interpreter and JIT compilation
Skills you'll learn:
C++ Development Resources
Official Resources
Development Tools
Libraries
🚀 Ready to Master C++?
Getting Started:
- • Install a C++ compiler (GCC, Clang, or MSVC)
- • Start with "Console Calculator" project
- • Focus on memory management early
- • Practice with pointers and references