Let me explain the TOPIC-TYPE-NUMBER system with examples from your C++ Programming Fundamentals course.

The main idea is to give every coding exercise a unique, permanent identification number so that you can add new exercises anytime without renumbering existing exercises.

1. Understanding TOPIC-TYPE-NUMBER

Consider this exercise ID:

LOOP-COD-001

LOOP

Topic

Loops

COD

Activity type

Coding Exercise

001

Unique number

First assigned ID

Each part has a specific purpose:

2. Define Topic Codes

Use consistent short codes for all C++ topics.

3. Define Activity Types

The second part identifies what students need to do.

For example:

LOOP-COD-001 LOOP-OUT-001 LOOP-DBG-001 LOOP-MOD-001

4. How Numbering Works When Adding New Exercises

This is the most important part.

Suppose you initially create three exercises:

Now you want to add an exercise between the first and second exercises.

Do not renumber existing exercises. Assign the next available number.

Important rule

The exercise ID represents identity, not display order.

You can change the display order anytime without changing exercise IDs.

5. How to Name Markdown Files

I recommend keeping filenames descriptive and avoiding sequential numbering.

Your existing folder structure could be:

docs/
├── loops/
│   ├── index.md
│   ├── for-loop.md
│   ├── while-loop.md
│   ├── do-while-loop.md
│   └── practice-and-progress/
│       ├── output-practice.md
│       ├── find-fix-mistakes.md
│       └── coding-exercises.md
│
└── solutions/
    └── loops/
        ├── output-solutions.md
        ├── debugging-solutions.md
        └── coding-exercise-solutions.md

Notice:

• coding-exercises.md contains student exercises.
• coding-exercise-solutions.md contains their solutions.
• Exercise IDs connect the two files.

6. Example: Exercise and Its Solution

Student exercise file: loops/practice-and-progress/coding-exercises.md

# C++ Loops: Coding Exercises

## Beginner Level

### LOOP-COD-001: Print Numbers from 1 to 10

Write a C++ program to print numbers from 1 to 10.

### LOOP-COD-002: Print Even Numbers

Write a C++ program to print even numbers from 1 to 20.

### LOOP-COD-003: Multiplication Table

Write a C++ program to display the multiplication table of a number.

Solution file: solutions/loops/coding-exercise-solutions.md

# C++ Loops: Coding Exercise Solutions

## LOOP-COD-001: Print Numbers from 1 to 10

### Solution

​```cpp
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++) {
        cout << i << endl;
    }
    return 0;
}
​```

## LOOP-COD-002: Print Even Numbers

### Solution

​```cpp
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    for (int i = 2; i <= 20; i += 2) {
        cout << i << endl;
    }
    return 0;
}
​```

Both files use exactly the same exercise IDs.

7. Rules to Follow in Your Repository

I recommend adopting these rules as your permanent course documentation standard.

8. Final Example Across Your Course

My suggestion: Adopt TOPIC-TYPE-NUMBER as the official identification standard for all your CS-303 Programming Fundamentals learning materials.

One more benefit: later, you can use these IDs to connect exercises with quizzes, lab tasks, assignments, solutions, and student progress tracking without changing the original IDs.