C++ is a programming language that has been around for over four decades, and it is still widely used by developers today. In this post, we will explore why C++ remains relevant in the world of software development.
C++ is "doing very well", Tiobe CEO Paul Jansen, says in the company's September 2020 index for the world's most popular programming languages. C++ currently ranks fourth, behind C, Java, and Python
We can summarize the reasons in 4 points:
- Performance
One of the main reasons C++ is still relevant is its performance. C++ is a compiled language, which means that it is generally faster than interpreted languages like Python and JavaScript. This makes it a good choice for performance-critical applications, such as games, operating systems, and scientific simulations.
"C++ is the most powerful programming language in the world. It can do absolutely anything you want it to do. And when it doesn't, you can use assembler." - John Carmack
- Control
Another reason C++ is still relevant is the control it gives developers over their code. C++ allows developers to fine-tune the performance of their programs by manually managing memory and choosing when to use specific optimization techniques. This level of control is not possible with languages like Python and Java, which rely on garbage collection to manage memory.
- Legacy code
There is a large amount of legacy C++ code in use today, and many organizations still rely on it to run their critical systems. This means that there is a demand for C++ developers who can maintain and update this code. If an organization has a large codebase written in C++, it may not be feasible to rewrite it in a different language, so they need C++ developers to continue supporting it.
"C++ is the work of the Devil. However, it is fast." - Linus Torvalds
- Popularity
Despite the rise of other programming languages, C++ remains popular and is consistently ranked as one of the top languages by the TIOBE index and the PYPL index. This means that there are many job opportunities and resources available for C++ developers.
In conclusion, C++ is still relevant for a number of reasons, including its performance, the control it gives developers over their code, the large amount of legacy C++ code in use, and its continued popularity. It is likely to continue to be an important part of the software development landscape for the foreseeable future.
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