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Holst

This project combines a raytracing in one weekend style raytracer and an N-body solar system simulation to learn modern C++ (C++03–C++23) through practical implementation.

✅ Project Goals

Simulate solar system using an N-body gravitational algorithm.
Implement a raytracer for rendering bodies and backgrounds.
Learn and demonstrate features from every major C++ standard.

📚 C++ Learning Checklist

C++03 (Baseline)

Classes & Constructors
Operator Overloading (`+`, `*`, `[]`)
Manual memory management (`new` / `delete`)
STL containers: `std::vector`, `std::map`
Function overloading
Templates (vector math, utility classes)
Pointers, references, and const correctness
Namespaces
RAII pattern with destructors
`std::string`, `std::stringstream`

C++11 (Modern C++ begins)

`auto` type deduction
Range-based for loops
Lambda expressions
`nullptr`
`enum class`
Smart pointers: `std::unique_ptr`, `std::shared_ptr`
`override`, `final` specifiers
`move` semantics and rvalue references
`std::array`, `std::tuple`
Thread support: `std::thread`

C++14 (Polish & convenience)

Generic lambdas (`auto` in lambda parameters)
`decltype(auto)` and improved return type inference
`std::make_unique`
Binary literals and digit separators (`0b1010`, `1'000'000`)
Relaxed constexpr functions
Using `auto` in lambda captures

C++17 (Simpler and more expressive)

Structured bindings (`auto [x, y] = foo();`)
`if constexpr`
`std::optional`
`std::variant`, `std::any`
Inline variables
`std::string_view`
Filesystem support (`std::filesystem`)
Parallel algorithms (`std::execution`)

C++20 (Huge leap forward)

Concepts (`template<typename T> requires`)
Ranges library: views, filters, transforms
`consteval` / `constinit`
Coroutines (`co_yield`, `co_return`)
Calendar and time utilities (`std::chrono::year_month_day`)
Modules (if supported by compiler/toolchain)
Expanded constexpr support (e.g., STL algorithms)

C++23 (Final polish)

`std::expected` (like Rust's Result<T, E>)
`std::mdspan` for multidimensional array views
`explicit` lambdas
More constexpr in the standard library
`/zongor/holst-raytracer/src/branch/main/assume` attribute
Improved ranges (e.g., `views::repeat`, `zip`)

🛠 Project Milestones (use standards progressively)

Milestone 1: Base Simulation Engine

Build N-body simulation using raw pointers (C++03)
Add `Vector3` class, `Body` class
Use `std::vector` and manual memory management

Milestone 2: Modernization Pass 1

Convert raw pointers to smart pointers (C++11)
Add lambda-driven physics update loop
Use `enum class` for material types

Milestone 3: Raytracer Core

Add ray-object intersection logic
Use `std::optional` for hit results (C++17)
Structured bindings for clean code

Milestone 4: Optimization Pass

Parallel rendering with `std::execution::par` (C++17)
Use ranges and views to process pixels (C++20)

Milestone 5: Error Handling & Final Touches

Use `std::expected` for config file errors or simulation errors (C++23)
Add diagnostics/metrics via coroutines or logging views
Final cleanup using `consteval`, `mdspan`, or advanced features