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History of C++

Discover the history of C++ created by Bjarne Stroustrup and its evolution into a powerful, popular programming language. Learn key features and tips.
C++ is an object-oriented programming language that blends low-level and high-level features, making it a middle-level language. It was created by Danish computer scientist Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Telephone Laboratories (now Nokia Bell Labs) in New Jersey. Stroustrup aimed to develop a flexible and dynamic language similar to C, with additional features like active type checking, inheritance, default function arguments, and classes. This led to the creation of "C with Classes," later renamed C++.

History of C++


Early Development

The origins of C++ date back to 1979 when Stroustrup began working on his PhD thesis. During this time, he worked with a language called Simula, known for its simulation capabilities and as the first language to support object-oriented programming. Despite its benefits, Simula was too slow for practical use, prompting Stroustrup to develop a more efficient language. He sought to integrate object-oriented features into C, a language praised for its portability and speed, without compromising on performance.

The Evolution of C++

Initially named "C with Classes," the language was renamed C++ in 1983. The "++" symbol represents incrementing a value by one in programming, symbolizing that C++ is an improved version of C. The first compiler for C with Classes was called Cfront, which translated code to C. Cfront, written in C with Classes, was a self-hosting compiler. Although Cfront was eventually abandoned in 1993 due to difficulties in adding new features, it significantly influenced future compilers and the UNIX operating system.

Standardization and Commercialization

In 1985, Stroustrup published "The C++ Programming Language," and C++ was released as a commercial product. Although not yet standardized, the book became a crucial reference. The language saw updates in 1989, adding features like protected and static members, and multiple inheritance. In 1990, "The Annotated C++ Manual" was published, and Borland released the Turbo C++ compiler, which greatly influenced C++ development.

ISO Standard and Modern C++

In 1998, the first international standard for C++ (ISO/IEC 14882:1998) was published, known as C++98. This standard included the Standard Template Library (STL). In 2003, C++03 addressed issues from the 1998 standard. The 2011 release of C++11 introduced significant features like a new for-loop syntax, a standard threading library, and regular expression support, largely influenced by the Boost library project. Subsequent updates include C++14, C++17, and the latest C++20, with C++23 on the horizon.

Popularity and Features

C++ remains one of the most popular programming languages. According to the TIOBE Index, it ranked third in 2019, thanks to the robust features introduced in C++11. C++ combines the speed of C with high-level programming features, making it versatile yet challenging for beginners. 

Key Features of C++

1. Widely Used in Competitive Programming: Many top coders prefer C++ for its performance and efficiency.
2.Standard Template Library (STL): Saves time for coders by providing a collection of ready-to-use classes and functions.
3. Operator Overloading: Allows custom implementation of operators for user-defined types.
4. Multiple Inheritance: Supports inheriting from more than one base class, a feature not available in many other languages.
5. Modular Code: Encourages encapsulation and polymorphism, making code more manageable and reusable.

Conclusion

Bjarne Stroustrup's creation, C++, has significantly influenced programming, combining the best aspects of low-level and high-level languages. While it presents a steep learning curve for beginners, its powerful features and efficiency continue to make it a favorite among experienced programmers.



Additional Tips for Learning C++

1. Start with the Basics: Understand C++ syntax and fundamental concepts before diving into advanced topics.
2. Practice Regularly: Consistent coding practice helps reinforce learning and improve problem-solving skills.
3. Use Online Resources: Utilize tutorials, coding challenges, and forums to enhance your understanding and get help when needed.
4. Build Projects: Apply your knowledge by working on real-world projects to gain practical experience.
5. Stay Updated: Keep up with the latest C++ standards and updates to leverage new features and best practices.

By following these tips, you can effectively learn C++ and take advantage of its powerful capabilities.

Summary Table of history of various C++ versions:


Version Release Date Key Features
C++98 (ISO/IEC 14882:1998) October 1998 The first version
C++03 (ISO/IEC 14882:2003) February 2003 Introduction of value initialization.
C++11 August 2011 Lambda Expressions, Delegating Constructors, Uniform Initialization Syntax, nullptr, Automatic Type Deduction and decltype, Rvalue References etc.
C++14 August 2014 Polymorphic lambdas, digit separators, generalized lambda capture, variable templates, binary integer literals, quoted strings etc.
C++17 December 2017 Fold expressions, hexadecimal floating-point literals, u8 character literals, selection statements with initializer, inline variables etc.
C++20 March 2020 Facilities to inspect program entities (variables, enumerations, classes, lambdas, etc.).
C++23 (Future Release) -- The next major revision of the C++ standard (details not yet finalized).

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