The question assumes that there is a single "proper" way to code in C++ that everyone agrees on. But that's just not the case. For example, Google bans except

The question assumes that there is a single "proper" way to code in C++ that everyone agrees on. But that's just not the case. For example, Google bans exceptions, operator overloading, and most uses of Boost in their C++ code. Facebook embraces all those things. QT re-invents most of the standard library. A lot of the C++ language is sort of experimental. Sometimes features get thrown in and then deprecated and/or taken out, like the "export" keyword for templates, or throw specifications. Most programmers have strong opinions about which C++ features are bad. But that's all they are-- opinions. The C++ standard supports pretty much any way of doing things you could imagine-- async, sync, multiple inheritance, functional, you name it. If you're a novice, my advice is to learn C really well. Then choose a C++ style guide and follow its recommendations closely.