Create complete C++ classroom infrastructure with automated testing and grading

.github/workflows/autograder.yml

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+name: C++ Classroom Autograder
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [ main ]
+  pull_request:
+    branches: [ main ]
+
+jobs:
+  build-and-test:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    steps:
+    - name: Checkout code
+      uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+    - name: Install dependencies
+      run: |
+        sudo apt-get update
+        sudo apt-get install -y cmake build-essential
+
+    - name: Create build directory
+      run: mkdir build
+
+    - name: Configure CMake
+      run: cd build && cmake ..
+
+    - name: Build
+      run: cd build && make
+
+    - name: Run tests
+      run: cd build && ctest --output-on-failure
+
+    - name: Run assignment executables
+      run: |
+        echo "Running Assignment 1:"
+        cd build && ./assignments/assignment1/assignment1
+
+  grade-assignment:
+    needs: build-and-test
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    if: always()
+
+    steps:
+    - name: Checkout code
+      uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+    - name: Install dependencies
+      run: |
+        sudo apt-get update
+        sudo apt-get install -y cmake build-essential
+
+    - name: Build and test with detailed output
+      id: test
+      run: |
+        mkdir build
+        cd build
+        cmake ..
+        make
+        echo "TESTS_OUTPUT<<EOF" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+        ctest --verbose >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT || echo "Tests failed" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+        echo "EOF" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+
+    - name: Generate Grade Report
+      run: |
+        echo "# 📊 Autograding Report" >> grade_report.md
+        echo "" >> grade_report.md
+        echo "## Build Status: ✅ PASSED" >> grade_report.md
+        echo "" >> grade_report.md
+        echo "## Test Results:" >> grade_report.md
+        echo '```' >> grade_report.md
+        cd build && ctest --verbose || echo "Some tests failed"
+        echo '```' >> grade_report.md
+        echo "" >> grade_report.md
+        echo "## 💡 Tips for Improvement:" >> grade_report.md
+        echo "- Ensure all functions are implemented correctly" >> grade_report.md
+        echo "- Check that your code handles edge cases" >> grade_report.md
+        echo "- Make sure to follow the function signatures in the header file" >> grade_report.md
+
+    - name: Upload grade report
+      uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+      with:
+        name: grade-report
+        path: grade_report.md

.gitignore

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+# C++ build artifacts
+build/
+*.o
+*.obj
+*.exe
+*.dll
+*.so
+*.a
+*.lib
+
+# CMake
+CMakeCache.txt
+CMakeFiles/
+cmake_install.cmake
+Makefile
+*.cmake
+!CMakeLists.txt
+
+# IDE files
+.vscode/
+.idea/
+*.vcxproj*
+*.sln
+*.suo
+*.user
+
+# Test results
+test_results/
+*.xml
+
+# OS files
+.DS_Store
+Thumbs.db
+
+# Temporary files
+*.tmp
+*.temp
+*~

CMakeLists.txt

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+cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.14)
+project(CPPClassroom)
+
+# Set C++ standard
+set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 17)
+set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED ON)
+
+# Add compiler flags for better error messages and debugging
+set(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "-Wall -Wextra -g")
+
+# Include FetchContent for downloading dependencies
+include(FetchContent)
+
+# Fetch Google Test
+FetchContent_Declare(
+  googletest
+  GIT_REPOSITORY https://github.com/google/googletest.git
+  GIT_TAG release-1.12.1
+)
+
+# For Windows: Prevent overriding the parent project's compiler/linker settings
+set(gtest_force_shared_crt ON CACHE BOOL "" FORCE)
+FetchContent_MakeAvailable(googletest)
+
+# Enable testing
+enable_testing()
+
+# Add subdirectories for assignments
+add_subdirectory(assignments/assignment1)
+
+# Optionally add more assignments as they are created
+# add_subdirectory(assignments/assignment2)
+# add_subdirectory(assignments/assignment3)

INSTRUCTOR_GUIDE.md

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+# 👨‍🏫 Instructor Guide - C++ Classroom
+
+## Overview
+This repository has been set up as a complete C++ programming classroom with automated testing and grading capabilities. Students can submit assignments and receive instant feedback through GitHub Actions.
+
+## 🎯 Key Features
+- ✅ **Automated Testing**: Unit tests run on every commit/push
+- ✅ **Professional Build System**: CMake + Google Test framework  
+- ✅ **Instant Feedback**: Grade reports generated automatically
+- ✅ **Scalable**: Easy to add new assignments
+- ✅ **Student-Friendly**: Helper scripts and clear documentation
+
+## 📁 Repository Structure
+
+```
+├── assignments/
+│   └── assignment1/         # Example: Hello World with Functions
+│       ├── src/            # Student code goes here
+│       ├── include/        # Header files
+│       ├── tests/          # Unit tests (instructor-created)
+│       ├── CMakeLists.txt  # Build config
+│       └── README.md       # Assignment instructions
+├── template/               # Template for creating new assignments
+├── .github/workflows/      # GitHub Actions for autograding
+├── CMakeLists.txt         # Root build configuration
+├── run_tests.sh           # Student helper script
+└── README.md              # Student documentation
+```
+
+## 🚀 Quick Start for Instructors
+
+### Adding New Assignments
+
+1. **Copy the template:**
+   ```bash
+   cp -r template assignments/assignment2
+   cd assignments/assignment2
+   ```
+
+2. **Customize the assignment:**
+   - Edit `CMakeLists.txt`: Change `ASSIGNMENT_NAME` to "assignment2"
+   - Write assignment code in `src/` and `include/`
+   - Create comprehensive tests in `tests/`
+   - Update `README.md` with assignment instructions
+
+3. **Add to build system:**
+   ```cmake
+   # In root CMakeLists.txt, add:
+   add_subdirectory(assignments/assignment2)
+   ```
+
+4. **Test locally:**
+   ```bash
+   ./run_tests.sh assignment2
+   ```
+
+### Example Assignment Structure
+The included Assignment 1 demonstrates:
+- **Function declarations** in header files (`include/hello.h`)
+- **Implementation** in source files (`src/hello.cpp`)
+- **Main program** (`src/main.cpp`)
+- **Comprehensive unit tests** (`tests/test_hello.cpp`)
+
+## 🧪 Testing Strategy
+
+### Unit Tests (Google Test)
+- Test individual functions with various inputs
+- Include edge cases (empty strings, negative numbers, etc.)
+- Verify return types and expected behavior
+- Example test structure:
+  ```cpp
+  TEST(AssignmentTest, FunctionName) {
+      EXPECT_EQ(myFunction(input), expected_output);
+      EXPECT_TRUE(boolFunction(input));
+  }
+  ```
+
+### Integration Tests
+- Test complete program functionality
+- Verify all components work together
+- Can be added to the same test files
+
+## 📊 Autograding System
+
+### GitHub Actions Workflow
+Located in `.github/workflows/autograder.yml`:
+
+1. **Build Phase**: Compiles all assignments with CMake
+2. **Test Phase**: Runs all unit tests with CTest
+3. **Execution Phase**: Runs assignment executables
+4. **Reporting**: Generates grade reports and artifacts
+
+### Viewing Results
+Students can see results in:
+- **GitHub Actions tab**: Full build and test logs
+- **Artifacts**: Downloadable grade reports
+- **Console output**: Immediate feedback on failures
+
+### Customizing Grading
+- Modify point distribution in workflow file
+- Add custom grading logic in test files
+- Create rubric-based assessments
+
+## 👥 Student Workflow
+
+1. **Clone repository** (already done via GitHub Classroom)
+2. **Navigate to assignment** folder
+3. **Read instructions** in assignment README
+4. **Implement solution** in designated files
+5. **Test locally** with `./run_tests.sh`
+6. **Submit via git**: `git add . && git commit -m "Solution" && git push`
+7. **View results** in GitHub Actions
+
+## 🔧 Maintenance
+
+### Adding Dependencies
+To add C++ libraries:
+```cmake
+# In CMakeLists.txt
+FetchContent_Declare(
+  library_name
+  GIT_REPOSITORY https://github.com/user/library.git
+  GIT_TAG version
+)
+FetchContent_MakeAvailable(library_name)
+```
+
+### Updating Test Framework
+The system uses Google Test 1.12.1. To update:
+```cmake
+# In root CMakeLists.txt, change:
+GIT_TAG release-1.14.0  # or newer version
+```
+
+### Platform Compatibility
+Current setup supports:
+- ✅ Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+)
+- ✅ macOS (with Xcode command line tools)
+- ✅ Windows (with Visual Studio or MinGW)
+
+## 📋 Assignment Ideas
+
+### Beginner Level
+- **Assignment 1** (included): Functions, strings, basic I/O
+- **Variables and Types**: Data type exploration
+- **Control Flow**: Loops, conditionals, switch statements
+- **Arrays**: Basic array manipulation
+
+### Intermediate Level
+- **Classes and Objects**: OOP fundamentals
+- **Dynamic Memory**: Pointers and memory management
+- **File I/O**: Reading/writing files
+- **STL Containers**: Vector, map, set usage
+
+### Advanced Level
+- **Templates**: Generic programming
+- **Exception Handling**: Error management
+- **Multi-threading**: Basic parallelism
+- **Design Patterns**: Common programming patterns
+
+## 🛠️ Troubleshooting
+
+### Common Issues
+
+**Build Failures:**
+- Check CMakeLists.txt syntax
+- Verify all source files are included
+- Ensure proper include paths
+
+**Test Failures:**
+- Review test logic and expected outputs
+- Check for missing edge cases
+- Verify function signatures match headers
+
+**GitHub Actions Issues:**
+- Check workflow YAML syntax
+- Verify Ubuntu package names in dependencies
+- Monitor action execution logs
+
+### Getting Help
+- Review GitHub Actions logs for detailed error messages
+- Test locally before pushing to identify issues early
+- Use the included `run_tests.sh` for consistent local testing
+
+## 📈 Scaling the Classroom
+
+### For Larger Classes
+- Use GitHub Teams for group assignments
+- Implement branch protection rules
+- Consider submission deadlines in workflow
+
+### Advanced Features
+- Add code quality checks (linting, static analysis)
+- Implement plagiarism detection
+- Create performance benchmarking tests
+- Add documentation generation
+
+---
+
+**Happy Teaching! 🎓** This system is designed to scale with your needs and provide students with immediate, actionable feedback on their C++ programming assignments.