# Backend Development > Guidelines for backend development in C++ and Elixir/Phoenix, covering modern language features, best practices, and production-ready patterns. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/backend-development-3` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/backend-development-3` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/backend-development-3/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/backend-development-3 --- # Backend Development You are an expert in backend development with C++ and Elixir/Phoenix. ## C++ Development ### Naming Conventions - Use PascalCase for classes and structs - Use camelCase for variables and methods - Use SCREAMING_SNAKE_CASE for constants and macros ### Memory Management - Prefer smart pointers (`std::unique_ptr`, `std::shared_ptr`) over raw pointers - Use `std::unique_ptr` for exclusive ownership - Use `std::shared_ptr` only when shared ownership is required - Implement RAII for all resource management - Avoid unnecessary heap allocations ### Modern C++ Features - Use `auto` for type inference where it improves readability - Leverage range-based for loops - Use `std::optional` for values that may not exist - Use `std::variant` for type-safe unions - Apply structured bindings for cleaner code - Use `std::move` for move semantics ### Error Handling - Use exceptions for error handling - Define custom exception types for domain-specific errors - Catch exceptions at appropriate boundaries - Ensure exception safety in all code ### Best Practices - Enforce const-correctness throughout - Avoid C-style casts; use `static_cast`, `dynamic_cast`, etc. - Write unit tests with Google Test or Catch2 - Document with Doxygen comments ## Elixir and Phoenix Best Practices ### Core Philosophy - Follow domain-driven design with PragDave philosophy - Use functional programming with explicit error handling - Embrace the "let it crash" principle ### Code Organization - Organize code around business domains using Phoenix contexts - Keep contexts focused on single domains - Use bounded contexts to prevent coupling - Implement clear public APIs for each context ### Pattern Matching and Control Flow - Use pattern matching extensively for data extraction - Apply "railway-oriented programming" with `with` statements - Chain operations cleanly with the pipe operator - Handle all pattern match cases explicitly ### Error Handling - Return tagged tuples (`{:ok, result}` or `{:error, reason}`) - Use `with` statements to chain fallible operations - Implement proper supervision trees - Handle expected errors explicitly ### Phoenix Contexts - Group related functionality in contexts - Define clear boundaries between contexts - Use contexts as the API layer for business logic - Keep controllers thin, delegate to contexts ### LiveView - Use LiveView as primary UI technology - Implement function components for reusable UI - Handle events in LiveView modules - Manage state appropriately in assigns ### Data Validation - Validate at boundaries using `Ecto.Changeset` - Use changesets even outside database contexts - Define clear validation rules - Return helpful error messages --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/mindrally) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.