Containerized C++ Development Environment
Docker-based C++ development environment for consistent student experiences
What This Project Delivers
Teaching C++ comes with practical problems that stop students from learning. I’ve seen students waste hours trying to install compilers and tools instead of writing code. Course staff ends up fixing technical issues on different computers instead of helping with programming. When every student’s setup works differently, we spend more time troubleshooting than teaching. I built a Containerized C++ Development Environment to solve this. Students get a complete, pre-configured toolkit—compiler, debugger, linter, memory checker—that works identically on any computer. The majority of students are now writing code within minutes of their first class, and that code runs exactly the same way it will when graded.
How It Works
The environment combines Docker containers with VS Code to create a professional development setup that runs identically on every student’s computer. Here’s what makes it effective for teaching:
Core Architecture
Docker provides a consistent Linux workspace containing all course tools:
- Clang++ compiler with C++20 support
- Code formatting (
clang-format) and linting (clang-tidy) - GDB debugger for step-by-step debugging
- Valgrind for finding memory leaks
- Version control and build tools (
git,make)
VS Code connects directly to the container with pre-configured extensions, providing our toolchain in a widely-used IDE. Each assignment includes configuration files (dotfiles) that customize tools for specific learning goals.
Automated Code Quality
The environment enforces professional standards from day one. clang-format automatically applies Google’s C++ Style Guide on save, ensuring consistent submissions. This lets instructors focus on logic rather than formatting during code reviews.
clang-tidy catches mistakes and teaches better practices. For example,
- Function complexity limits prevent deeply nested code
- Size restrictions encourage modular design
- Modern C++ patterns (in-class initialization, member initializer lists, etc.)
- Object-oriented pitfalls (missing virtual destructors, object slicing, etc.)
Since each assignment has its own configuration, we adjust standards progressively—basic checks early, stricter requirements as students advance. See formatting options and available linter checks.
Visual Debugging
GDB runs inside the container while connecting to VS Code’s interface. Students get the same debugging experience regardless of their operating system:
- Set breakpoints and step through code line-by-line
- Watch variables change in real-time
- Inspect data structures with pretty-printing (vectors display as
[1, 2, 3]) - Test with different command-line arguments
This visual approach reveals how code actually executes—showing variable changes, memory allocation, and control flow—while teaching systematic debugging skills that transfer to any programming environment.
Educational Build Settings
Compilation flags -Wall -Wextra -pedantic -Werror turn warnings into errors, forcing students to fix issues before their code runs. Uninitialized variables (-Wuninitialized) become a compilation error, not a mysterious crash later.
Optimization stays off (-O0) so debugging shows exactly what the code says. When students step through a loop, they see each iteration as written—no optimized-away variables or skipped steps.
Autograder Alignment
Our autograders use this exact same environment. When students run their code locally, they see what the autograder will see—same compiler, same warnings, same style checks and linting complaints. If it compiles and passes locally, it passes for grading.
Educational Impact
For Students
Our environment removes technical barriers while helping students build useful skills. They work in a consistent setup every day, write code that meets clear style rules, and learn how to find and fix problems in their programs. By the end of the semester, they have real experience with tools and practices they can use in future classes, internships, and jobs.
For Instructors
Teaching becomes more focused and effective. Office hours center on algorithms and problem-solving instead of installation problems. With uniform formatting and consistent compilation, reviews and grading can address logic and design rather than syntax errors or variations between compilers. The environment handles the setup, allowing instructors to concentrate on concepts.
Getting Started
Setup takes about 30 minutes:
- Install Docker Desktop
- Install VS Code with Dev Containers extension
- Clone starter code
- Click “Reopen in Container”
Most students are coding within their first lab session. For those who need help, we run support sessions and maintain detailed troubleshooting documentation.