Regardless of C++’s downward trend on the TIOBE Programming Neighborhood index since 2001, the language’s fall from the coveted top two slots in 2020, vociferous and chronic claims that C++ is “dead like COBOL,” and the inroads the Rust is making in developer circles – C++ remains to be as viable, important and related as ever.
There’s no arguing with the language’s ongoing reputation. The numbers are clear within the June 2021 TIOBE index – C++ is the fourth hottest programming language on the planet, grabbing virtually 7.5% on the index, and nipping on the heels of C, Java and Python. Whereas it’s true that it is a drop from the language’s TIOBE peak of almost 18% in 2003, C++’s reputation stays simple.
How and why can a programming language standardized almost a decade earlier than the first iPhone was released stay related within the age of cloud and high-performance computing? Let’s have a look…
Nonetheless well-liked, nonetheless related
What are the core causes behind C++’s persevering with mass-market relevance? Efficiency, pace, maturity, and extra:
- Efficiency – C++ stays the gold customary for high-performance software program. Adobe makes use of it, the Unreal Engine is predicated on it, and so are Chrome and Firefox.
- Pace – At a time when processing pace stays a bottleneck, C++ remains to be used to create a few of the quickest software program available on the market.
- Maturity – Though this will likely appear apparent, the truth that C++ has been round for almost 40 years implies that most software program issues have already been addressed.
- Ecosystem – C++ is a core a part of most programming curricula, and boasts an enormous assortment of dev instruments, third occasion elements, libraries, manuals, and extra.
- Embedded – Most embedded methods, to not point out IoT units, are powered by firmware written in C/C++.
Not simply legacy
It’s true that there’s additionally a powerful component of legacy utilization powering the continued relevance of C++. Many C++ tasks that began many years in the past (or tasks that began in C++ precursors like C) are nonetheless working immediately. And we’re not speaking about trivial stuff. For instance, UNIX, Oracle’s MySQL, the Linux Kernel, Microsoft Workplace, Microsoft Visible Studio, and even a few of Apple’s OS X – all have been written in C++.
But past legacy tasks, C++ dominates a lot of immediately’s greenfields (new improvement tasks), as effectively.
C++ is the predominant language of gaming – powering the Unreal Engine and lots of of immediately’s largest and hottest video games. C++ additionally dominates IoT, protection software program, and manufacturing purposes – just about every thing that’s thought-about actual time is in C++.
C++ can be nonetheless used for brand new improvement in performance-intensive workstation purposes like CAD/CAM software program or compute-intensive server-based purposes like high-frequency buying and selling. It’s used for digital machines, system drivers, runtime interpreters and tooling. C++ additionally does the heavy lifting in developments of AI-driven purposes, and stays a core a part of Google’s Android OS. And the checklist goes on…
The underside line
C++ in its fourth decade is just gaining in reputation. Newer languages like C# and Java will proceed to guide the market within the years to return, but C++ will stay proper alongside.
C++ is a robust and continuously-evolving language that helped and continues to assist create the foundations of computing as we all know it. With its subsequent replace set for 2023, an enormous developer group, and large data base – to not point out finest practices, exterior libraries, elements and instruments that may take many years to mature in newer languages – C++ is just too entrenched in trendy computing to fade away.
