Bjarne Stroustrup's "21st Century C++" blog post advocates for modernizing C++ usage by focusing on safety and performance. He highlights features introduced since C++11, like ranges, concepts, modules, and coroutines, which enable simpler, safer, and more efficient code. Stroustrup emphasizes using these tools to combat complexity and vulnerabilities while retaining C++'s performance advantages. He encourages developers to embrace modern C++, utilizing static analysis and embracing a simpler, more expressive style guided by the "keep it simple" principle. By moving away from older, less safe practices and leveraging new features, developers can write robust and efficient code fit for the demands of modern software development.
The Communications of the ACM blog post, "21st Century C++," by Bjarne Stroustrup, reflects on the evolution of C++ and advocates for its continued relevance in modern software development. Stroustrup, the creator of C++, begins by acknowledging criticisms levelled against the language, particularly its perceived complexity and the persistence of legacy code. He argues, however, that these criticisms often stem from outdated understandings of C++ and fail to recognize the significant advancements introduced in recent standards, specifically C++11 and beyond.
The post emphasizes the concept of "Modern C++," which leverages newer features and best practices to achieve cleaner, safer, and more performant code. Stroustrup details how these features address common pain points, such as resource management through RAII (Resource Acquisition Is Initialization) using smart pointers and simplified concurrency mechanisms. He underscores the importance of adopting a more declarative and value-semantic style of programming, moving away from the older, more imperative approaches that contribute to complexity. This modern approach, he contends, facilitates code that is not only more robust but also easier to understand and maintain.
Furthermore, Stroustrup highlights the continuing evolution of C++, referencing ongoing work on concepts, ranges, and modules. These features, he explains, promise further enhancements to code expressiveness, compile-time checking, and modularity, further solidifying C++'s position as a powerful and adaptable language. He specifically mentions how concepts enable more concise and readable generic code while improving compile-time error messages. Ranges, he adds, will provide a more elegant and efficient way to work with sequences of data. Modules, in turn, are poised to address the long-standing challenges associated with header files, leading to faster compilation times and improved code hygiene.
The author also touches upon the standardization process, emphasizing the community's efforts to maintain backward compatibility while continuously pushing the boundaries of the language. He stresses the importance of seeking input from a broad range of users and incorporating feedback to ensure the language remains relevant and meets the evolving needs of the software development community.
In conclusion, Stroustrup's post asserts that C++, when used effectively with its modern features, remains a highly competitive and valuable language for tackling complex problems in diverse domains. He encourages developers to move beyond outdated perceptions and embrace the advancements offered by modern C++, ultimately advocating for its continued use in the 21st century and beyond. He envisions a future where C++ continues to evolve and adapt, remaining a powerful tool for software development in the years to come.
Summary of Comments ( 212 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42946321
Hacker News users discussed the challenges and benefits of modern C++. Several commenters pointed out the complexities introduced by new features, arguing that while powerful, they contribute to a steeper learning curve and can make code harder to maintain. The benefits of concepts, ranges, and modules were acknowledged, but some expressed skepticism about their widespread adoption and practical impact due to compiler limitations and legacy codebases. Others highlighted the ongoing tension between embracing modern C++ and maintaining compatibility with existing projects. The discussion also touched upon build systems and the difficulty of integrating new C++ features into existing workflows. Some users advocated for simpler, more focused languages like Zig and Jai, suggesting they offer a more manageable approach to systems programming. Overall, the sentiment reflected a cautious optimism towards modern C++, tempered by concerns about complexity and practicality.
The Hacker News post titled "21st Century C++" linking to a CACM blog post about modern C++ has a moderate number of comments, discussing various aspects of the language and its evolution.
Several commenters discuss the complexities and challenges of modern C++. One commenter points out the steep learning curve, highlighting the difficulty in keeping up with the constant influx of new features and the evolving best practices. They express concern that this complexity can lead to code that is difficult to maintain and understand, potentially negating some of the performance benefits C++ offers. Another echoes this sentiment, suggesting that the language has become overly complex and that simpler alternatives might be more suitable for many projects. The difficulty in finding experienced C++ developers who are proficient in modern practices is also mentioned.
Some commenters discuss specific features and their implications. One thread delves into the benefits and drawbacks of modules, a newer C++ feature intended to improve compile times and code organization. The discussion touches upon the practical challenges of adopting modules in existing projects and the potential for misuse. Another comment chain focuses on the evolution of error handling in C++, comparing exceptions to other approaches like
std::optionalandstd::expected.A few commenters express a degree of skepticism towards the blog post's optimistic portrayal of modern C++. They argue that the complexities introduced by new features outweigh their benefits in many cases, leading to code bloat and increased development time. They suggest that the focus should be on simplifying the language rather than adding more features.
There's also a discussion about the tooling ecosystem surrounding C++. One commenter praises the advancements in compilers and debuggers, while another points out the challenges of integrating different tools and libraries, especially in cross-platform development.
Finally, some comments offer alternative perspectives on modern C++. One commenter argues that while the language is undoubtedly complex, its power and flexibility make it the right choice for certain performance-critical applications. They suggest that the key is to carefully select the features that are appropriate for a given project and to avoid unnecessary complexity. Another commenter emphasizes the importance of education and training, suggesting that with proper guidance, developers can effectively leverage the power of modern C++ without getting bogged down in its intricacies.