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C++ User's Club

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this organization is to serve as an expert discussion forum; technical, educational and research center; software architecture, analysis, design and development group - towards discovery, dissemination and implementation of knowledge. This organization will provide access to books, articles, activities and information regarding C++ and related vocations. It will serve as an information bureau and a center of educational and research activities.

The Rationale

SIGCOT is a special interest group of individuals with a professional interest in C++, a computer programming language developed by Bjarne Stroustrup. C++ is a multiparadigm language, which has the following facilities and general properties: Abstraction, Encapsulation, Polymorphism, Inheritance, Genericity, Static Type Safety and Run-time efficiency.

This document is an exposition of the philosophical premises and the general objectives of the organization.

The organization is founded on two philosophical premises: Individualism and Trade. This group does not accept the postulate that groups/committees/associations/teams are superior to the individual. We regard any such grouping to be exactly that - a group, of individuals who have to think alone, but whose activities are directed towards a goal, which the other members of the group also share, by their own voluntary choice and for their own personal rational interest. The only proper relationship between individuals in any group is trade, based on mutually acceptable conditions. And that is exactly the core objective of this organization. It aims to be a forum where individuals trade their achievements with that of others.

An individual, who has a reason and passion for achieving a purpose, achieves it, regardless of any support that he does or does not get from others. But it is tremendously beneficial to him, and extremely boosting to his productivity, if he finds other men who have the same interest as him. Because what a rational forum does to his enthusiasm and efforts is that it channels it, just as an irrational, traditionalist forum throttles it. Man needs the certainty and knowledge that he is achieving a purpose. And this is what an organized, methodical, focused group helps man to achieve. In a proper association of individuals, where the nature of dealings are properly codified and based on the twin concepts of individualism and trading of achievements, his efforts do not go waste. He benefits greatly from others. Discussions and discourses, in such an association and in the relevant context, are always fruitful.

This organization's main purpose is to serve as an expert discussion forum; technical & educational center; programming analysis, design, development and research group - towards discovery, dissemination and implementation of knowledge. The following points form the central theme of the purpose and activities that this organization will undertake:

The organization will seek to provide, for the members of the organization at MAE, access to books, articles, activities and information regarding C++ and related vocations.
It will serve as an information bureau and a center of educational and research activities, such as guest speakers and workshops.
The organization will maintain a central repository of resources, which will be made freely available to the members. This will include a resource center, and in the long run, an exclusive library.
The organization will maintain a moderated email list where members can post their questions or articles.
The organization will also, in the long run, bring out a monthly or fortnightly newsletter, which will contain articles on C++ and other related subjects, written by the members.
The organization would hold regular meetings. The range of activities undertaken at these meetings would include seminars, paper-presentations, product demonstrations, discussions and others that are decided on by the organization.