How to create a C++ application for a smart waste management system?

To create a C++ application for a smart waste management system, there are several steps you would need to follow. Please note that due to the complexity of the project, this is a simplified description and may not cover all aspects of a full implementation.

You'll need to first understand what a 'Smart Waste Management System' is. In broad terms, it's a system that uses technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of waste collection, and can provide valuable data on waste patterns and volumes.

Here are step-by-step directions to create such an application. For this example, let's develop a simple command-line application.

Step 1: Set-Up Development Environment

You need to set up a development environment to compile and run your code. You can use Visual Studio on Windows, G++/GCC on Linux, or Xcode on Mac.

You can download Visual Studio from the official site.
For Linux, you can install G++/GCC through your terminal:
sudo apt-get install g++
Mac users can download Xcode from the App Store.

Step 2: Design the Application

This will vary based on your requirements. You need to define the Classes and Data Structures required for your application.

A simple design might include Classes for Waste, Waste Bin, and Waste Management System.

Waste Class can have fields like 'name', 'types', 'weight', etc.
WasteBin can include fields and methods for adding waste, calculating the total waste, etc.
Waste Management System might contain a list of waste bins and methods for analyzing waste data.

Step 3: Write the Code

Write the C++ code for the Classes as per your design.

Below is a small sample of how you might begin coding "Waste" and "WasteBin" classes.

class Waste {
   string name;
   string type;
   float weight;
public: 
   // Setters and Getters go here
   void setName(string n) { name = n; }
   void setType(string t) { type = t; }
   void setWeight(float w) { weight = w; }
};

class WasteBin {
   string location;
   vector<Waste> wasteItems;
public:
   // Setter and Getters go here
   void setLocation(string l) { location = l; }
   void addWaste(Waste w) { wasteItems.push_back(w); } 
   float calculateTotalWaste() { 
      // TODO: Add logic to calculate the total waste.
   }
};

Step 4: Compile and Run your Code.

Compile the code using the appropriate compiler based on your operating system. For example, if you're using G++, you'd use:

g++ YourFileName.cpp -o outputfile

To run your program:

./outputfile

Step 5: Test your application

You need to test your application thoroughly to ensure it functions correctly under different circumstances.

Create unit tests for your classes, and function tests for your system as a whole. This will help ensure every component works as expected.