Which one should I pick for a new project?

That depends on your project goals:

Pick gaoxiang12/slambook if you're:

• Learning visual SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) fundamentals
• Following "14 Lectures on Visual SLAM: From Theory to Practice" textbook
• Building features like visual odometry, loop closure detection, or dense reconstruction
• Working with tools like Ceres, g2o, OpenCV, and DBoW3

However, note the RepoPilot verdict: WAIT — Stale — last commit 2y ago. The README also recommends switching to Slambook 2 for better Ubuntu 18.04 support and new features [README.md:L6-L7].

Pick light-city/cplusplusthings if you're:

• Learning modern C++ (C++11/14/17/20 features)
• Preparing for C++ interviews
• Studying STL source code, design patterns, or concurrency programming
• Looking for a comprehensive beginner-to-advanced learning resource with practical exercises

For a new project:

• If building SLAM systems → Use slambook2 (not slambook1) or study slambook1's concepts then apply them with current dependencies
• If building general C++ applications → cplusplusthings is a learning resource, not a project template—use it to master C++ skills first, then apply them to your own codebase

What type of project are you planning?

FOLLOW_UPS:

• What is slambook2's architecture compared to slambook1?
• How current are cplusplusthings' C++ standard recommendations?
• Does slambook include build system examples?