C++: Racing Against Time

Since C++ was adopted as an international standard (ISO) in the late 1980s, major companies and professional programmers began embracing it as an alternative to the C language, which had dominated operating systems, compilers, and game development since the 1970s. By the early 1990s, C++ took the lead and became the preferred language for many complex and high-performance applications.

However, C++'s growing dominance did not go unchallenged. In the mid-1990s, Java emerged with significant media hype, promising to be the strong competitor that would diminish C++'s prominence. Yet, Java found its niche in a different domain, focusing on web-based applications and network-driven software, while C++ maintained its strength in system programming and high-performance applications.

At the turn of the millennium, Microsoft attempted to break C++'s dominance by introducing C#. Although C# was a powerful and modern language, it ended up competing more closely with Java than with C++. Despite repeated attempts to challenge C++, the language remained resilient due to its power and flexibility.

However, the rapid advancements in the programming world demanded continuous updates to C++. As a result, the C++ standardization committee began releasing updates approximately every three years. In 2011, the first major update, C++11, was launched, ushering in a new era known as Modern C++. This update introduced modern programming techniques such as smart pointers, automatic variable definition using auto, lambda functions, and other features that made C++ more aligned with modern programming needs.

Subsequent releases like C++14, C++17, C++20, and C++23 followed, each bringing improvements and new technologies to meet developers' demands. Currently, work is underway on C++26, reaffirming that the language continues to evolve to keep pace with the rapid changes in the tech world.

Yet, the biggest challenge to C++ came in 2016 with the launch of Rust, a modern language targeting the same domains dominated by C++, such as operating systems, compilers, and embedded systems. Rust introduced an innovative approach to memory management, offering high safety without sacrificing performance, which made it appealing to many developers, especially newcomers.

Today, programmers in system-level and low-level development face a dilemma in choosing between C++ and Rust. Each language has its strengths and weaknesses, but from my personal perspective and through my extensive experience with C++, I believe the language will continue to dominate for a long time. In addition to its massive legacy and the large programming communities that support it, C++ boasts power, robustness, and flexibility that allow developers to innovate without constraints.

Of course, it’s undeniable that Rust is an excellent language and offers real competition, but it is unlikely to replace C++ in the foreseeable future. C++ is not just a programming language; it is a vast and widely adopted technical legacy, making it a tough contender to surpass.

So, with all due respect to Rust enthusiasts, I believe C++ will remain a dominant force in its domains for many years to come.