Blazing Trails: Building the World's Fastest GameBoy Emulator in Modern C++ - Tom Tesch CppCon 2024

https://cppcon.org​ --- Blazing Trails: Building the World's Fastest GameBoy Emulator in Modern C++ - Tom Tesch - CppCon 2024 --- Writing an emulator is truly transformative for any aspiring developer. In this session, we will be building parts of a lightning-fast Nintendo GameBoy (DMG-001) emulator library, complete with a webAssembly frontend. We will introduce the concept of a 'fast' emulator, highlighting its significance beyond mere gaming authenticity. After setting clear limits as to what we aim to achieve within the allotted time, we will delve into some foundational aspects of modern computing by implementing the core components of a GameBoy emulator. Along the way, the need for various programming patterns will emerge naturally, showcasing their relevance in real-world development scenarios. Additionally, we will demonstrate how integrating modern high-level C++ constructs streamlines our codebase, enhancing both readability and performance. You will witness firsthand how these constructs simplify development and yield significant speed enhancements (even when applied to emulating low-level systems). This session aims not only to provide practical insights into modern emulator construction but also to invite collaboration on future enhancements and optimizations. --- Slides: https://github.com/CppCon/CppCon2024/blob/main/Presentations/Blazing_Trails.pdf Sponsored by JetBrains: https://www.jetbrains.com/clion/ --- Tom Tesch Tom is currently a senior lecturer for the Bachelor in Digital Arts and Entertainment at Howest University of Applied Sciences, where he is on a mission to inspire the next generation of game developers. His expertise revolves around teaching C++, algorithms, and the core principles of computer science to aspiring game creators. Tom's journey into the world of technology began with obtaining a Master's degree in Applied Science focused on Electronics Engineering. Armed with this knowledge, he embarked on his professional career as an ASIC design engineer, immersing himself in the intricate process of crafting custom digital integrated circuits. Transitioning into the realm of embedded systems, Tom played a key role in the development of cutting-edge solutions that seamlessly bridged the gap between hardware and software. During this time, he employed his technical prowess in the domain of scientific research, where he developed interactive models for socio-economic analysis, showcasing his versatility and interdisciplinary skills. With an additional Master's degree in Industrial Management under his belt, Tom's expertise has expanded to encompass strategic project management, offering him a holistic understanding of engineering endeavors, while keeping him grounded in the day-to-day realities of software development within various industries. Today, as a lecturer at Howest–DAE–Game Development, he combines his broad experience with his love for retro gaming, not only guiding aspiring developers through the intricacies of coding but also immersing them in the timeless charm of vintage gaming. --- CppCon is the annual, week-long face-to-face gathering for the entire C++ community. The conference is organized by the C++ community for the community. You will enjoy inspirational talks and a friendly atmosphere designed to help attendees learn from each other, meet interesting people, and generally have a stimulating experience. Taking place this year in Aurora, Colorado, near the Denver airport, and including multiple diverse tracks, the conference will appeal to anyone from C++ novices to experts. Annual CppCon Conference - https://www.cppcon.org https://www.linkedin.com/company/cppcon https://x.com/cppcon https://www.facebook.com/CppConference https://www.reddit.com/r/cppcon/ https://mastodon.social/@CppCon --- Videos Filmed & Edited by Bash Films: http://www.BashFilms.com YouTube Channel Managed by Digital Medium Ltd: https://events.digital-medium.co.uk --- #gameboy #tetris #webassembly #cpp #cplusplus #cppcon #cppprogramming #cplusplusprogramming #softwaredevelopment #softwareengineering #coding #code #programming #programmer