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Procedural Piping in C++: A Simple Guide | TheIceJI Cosmos

Procedural Piping in C++: A Simple Guide

The term "procedural pip" in C++, can refer to a programming style where data flows through a series of functions or operations in a pipeline, similar to how shell pipes work in Unix-like systems. In this approach, data is passed from one function to another in a sequence, simplifying complex operations by breaking them into smaller, manageable steps. This technique is widely used in functional programming, but we can easily implement it in C++.

Why Use Procedural Piping?

Procedural piping makes code more readable and modular by chaining together operations. Each function takes input, performs a specific operation, and passes the result to the next function in the chain. It reduces the need for intermediate variables, making the code cleaner.

Infographic

In C++, this approach can be implemented using functions, lambdas, or even operator overloading for a more intuitive feel.

Example: Procedural Piping in C++

Let’s look at a simple example. We will implement a basic pipeline that processes an integer by performing a series of operations: doubling the value, incrementing it, and then squaring the result.

Example code:

#include <iostream>
#include <functional>

// Define our pipeline functions
int doubleValue(int x) {
    return x * 2;
}

int incrementValue(int x) {
    return x + 1;
}

int squareValue(int x) {
    return x * x;
}

// Function to chain operations
int pipe(int value, const std::function<int(int)>& func) {
    return func(value);
}

int main() {
    int number = 5;

    // Using the pipeline to process the number
    number = pipe(number, doubleValue);     // First, double the value: 5 * 2 = 10
    number = pipe(number, incrementValue);  // Then, increment: 10 + 1 = 11
    number = pipe(number, squareValue);     // Finally, square it: 11 * 11 = 121

    std::cout << "Final result: " << number << std::endl; // Output: Final result: 121

    return 0;
}
\n

Example code

C++ code for practice

Explanation

Pipeline Functions: We define three basic functions (doubleValue, incrementValue, and squareValue), each performing a specific operation on the input integer.
Pipe Function: The pipe function takes a value and a function as arguments. It applies the function to the value and returns the result. This allows us to chain functions sequentially.
Chaining: In main, we start with an integer number, and pass it through the pipeline using pipe. The number is doubled, incremented, and squared in succession.

Advantages of Procedural Piping

Readable: The code is easy to understand as each step in the process is clearly laid out.
Modular: Each operation is encapsulated in its own function, making it easy to modify or replace steps in the pipeline.
Scalable: You can add more steps to the pipeline without changing the structure of the code.

Conclusion

Procedural piping in C++ is a simple yet powerful technique for writing clean, modular, and maintainable code. By chaining operations in a clear, step-by-step process, you can simplify complex logic and make your programs easier to read and debug. This example demonstrates how easy it is to implement a procedural pipeline in C++, and you can extend this concept to more advanced scenarios in your projects.

Jirayu Ninlapun

Cinematic Art, Bangkok University. Experience: 3 years in Graphics Design, 4 years in VFX & Editor, 4 years in Web Developer, and 1 year in Artificial Intelligence

FILM Pipeline Part 3: Post-production

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