Using a conservative subset of C++ in this book
While modern C++ standards introduce many powerful features—such as smart pointers, lambdas, ranges, and concurrency tools—this book intentionally avoids relying heavily on them. Our goal is to present algorithms and data structures as clearly and accessibly as possible. By using a simpler legacy subset of C++, the focus remains squarely on the logic of the algorithms themselves, without the added complexity of advanced language constructs that could distract or confuse readers.
Another important consideration is compatibility. By avoiding modern or compiler-specific features, the code examples in this book can be easily compiled and run across different platforms and with a wide range of compilers, making it straightforward for readers to practice and experiment in their own environments.
Finally, many game engines and libraries still rely on legacy subsets of C++ for stability, integration, and performance reasons. Following this industry practice, the book emphasizes practical, foundational programming techniques.
By limiting the use of modern C++ features, the sample projects provide readers with portable, easy-to-follow examples that highlight the essentials of implementing data structures and algorithms in game development.