Finding Your Codebases C++ Roots
Talkat CppCon 2023 · on Monday, 2023-10-02· at 14:00· Cottonwood 2/3, 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard·
summary
Applies genealogy methods to code: maps a micro timeline of repo changes against a macro timeline of C++ (C++03 → C++11 → C++17) and surfaces concrete causes — duplicate names in math namespaces, broken git migrations, lost history from format-only commits, calendar-like date shifts, and a 2,349-person family-tree example. Uses Fan principle and the five W's to attribute who, when, and why; recommends git blame plus preserved commit messages, separate cleanup branches, clear boundaries and tests. The method produces actionable fixes and fewer surprise regressions.
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chapters (10)
- 0:00C++ codebase genealogy
- 1:26Speaker background
- 2:30Naming patterns in C++
- 6:20Software engineers through genealogy
- 14:20Legacy C++ project case study
- 17:30Macro and micro timelines
- 23:53C++ timeline evolution
- 34:50Codebase history and documentation
- 41:06Cleanup and improvements
- 43:55Q&A
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