C / C++

C/C++ Mastery Roadmap

This roadmap will guide you through learning C and C++, covering core programming, systems programming, reverse engineering, cybersecurity, and performance optimization.


Phase 1: C/C++ Foundations

Basic Syntax & Data Types

  • Variables (int, float, char, bool, double)

  • Operators (+, -, *, /, %, ++, --, &&, ||, !)

  • Control Structures (if-else, switch-case, for, while, do-while)

  • printf(), scanf() (C) / cout << & cin >> (C++)

Functions & Memory Management

  • Function Declarations & Definitions

  • Pass by Value vs. Pass by Reference

  • Stack vs. Heap Memory

  • malloc(), calloc(), free() (C)

  • new and delete (C++)

Pointers & Arrays

  • Pointer Basics (int *ptr = &x;)

  • Pointer Arithmetic

  • Arrays & Multidimensional Arrays

  • Dynamic Memory Allocation (int *arr = new int[10];)

📌 Mini Projects:

  • Basic Calculator

  • CLI To-Do List


Phase 2: Advanced C/C++ & System Programming

Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA)

  • Arrays, Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues

  • Trees (Binary Trees, BST, AVL), Graphs (BFS, DFS)

  • Sorting Algorithms (QuickSort, MergeSort, HeapSort)

  • Hashing & Dynamic Programming

File Handling & I/O

  • File Read/Write (fopen, fwrite, fread, ifstream, ofstream)

  • Random File Access (fseek, ftell)

Multithreading & Concurrency

  • pthread in C (POSIX Threads)

  • std::thread in C++

OOP in C++

  • Classes & Objects

  • Inheritance, Polymorphism, Encapsulation

  • virtual Functions, Abstract Classes

📌 Mini Projects:

  • Text File Encryption & Decryption

  • Multithreaded Download Manager


Phase 3: Low-Level Programming & Reverse Engineering

Assembly & Low-Level Programming

  • Inline Assembly (asm) in C/C++

  • Interacting with Registers (eax, ebx, ecx, edx)

  • Stack & Heap Manipulation

Reverse Engineering & Malware Analysis

  • Disassembling C/C++ Code (objdump, Ghidra)

  • Debugging (gdb, lldb)

  • Writing Shellcode in C

Operating System Internals

  • Writing a Simple Kernel (OSDev, BareMetal Programming)

  • Understanding Memory Paging & Process Management

📌 Mini Projects:

  • Custom Keylogger

  • Basic Linux Rootkit (for learning)


Phase 4: Exploit Development & Cybersecurity

Buffer Overflow Attacks

  • Stack Overflows & Heap Overflows

  • Return-Oriented Programming (ROP)

  • Writing Exploits (gdb, pwntools)

C/C++ for Cybersecurity & Pentesting

  • Writing Custom Exploits (CVE-Based)

  • Developing Custom Security Tools (Keyloggers, Packet Sniffers)

📌 Mini Projects:

  • Custom Reverse Shell

  • C++ API Hooking Tool


Final Step: Real-World Applications & CTF Challenges

🔥 Test Skills on Platforms:

🚀 By mastering this roadmap, you’ll be able to:Build High-Performance ApplicationsWrite Low-Level & System CodePerform Reverse Engineering & Exploit DevelopmentContribute to Open-Source Security Projects

🔥 Start coding in C/C++ now!

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