C++ Explained: Misunderstood, Dangerous, or Powerful?

Many developers have strong opinions about C++, especially when compared to its predecessor, C. Is C++ simply misunderstood, or are the criticisms valid? Should you even consider learning it?

Originally named "C with Classes," the language we now know as C++ was created by Bjarne Stroustrup in 1979. His primary goal was to develop a language that allowed for the creation of programs that were both efficient and elegant. In the world of programming, many languages often force developers to sacrifice one of these qualities for the other.

Since its inception, C++ has evolved significantly, all while staying true to three fundamental principles: 1. There should be no language beneath C++ except for assembly. 2. You only pay for the features you actually use (the "zero-overhead" principle). 3. High-level abstractions should have minimal to no performance cost.

From C to C++: The Introduction of Objects

For newcomers, the most striking difference between C and C++ is the concept of objects. In C, structs are essentially collections of data variables, organized in memory. C++ objects, however, are far more advanced. They encapsulate both data and functionality, featuring methods, constructors, deconstructors, and attributes with access controls like public and private, among other features.

The Controversy: Why the Strong Opinions?

On the surface, these principles seem reasonable. Despite this straightforward philosophy, numerous high-profile programmers, including Linus Torvalds, have publicly expressed their frustrations with the language. Torvalds famously stated, "C++ can't solve the problem of the C language at all; it will only make things worse. This really is a bad language."

So, what's behind this intense criticism? As Bjarne Stroustrup himself quipped, "C makes it easy to shoot yourself in the foot; C++ makes it harder, but when you do, it blows your whole leg off." This highlights a core truth: with great power comes great responsibility.

While C++ offers a richer feature set than C, this advantage comes at the cost of significantly more complex syntax that can be challenging to debug. A simple error message in C, such as cannot dereference non-pointer type, can transform into a cryptic and lengthy error in C++. For instance, a simple mistake can lead to a cascade of template-related errors that are notoriously difficult to decipher.

Furthermore, while C++ provides powerful high-level abstractions, some of its features are considered overly complex by parts of the development community. Certain features, like templates, can make a codebase difficult to structure and read if not used with discipline. The issue isn't that templates are inherently bad, but that they provide a powerful tool that makes it alarmingly easy to write convoluted and unmaintainable code.

Philosophical Contradictions

Another point of contention is that C++ can sometimes seem contradictory. The language is a superset of C and therefore allows for low-level operations like the use of raw pointers (e.g., char**). However, the modern C++ community often discourages these C-style practices on a philosophical basis, favoring safer, modern C++ idioms, even though the older features remain part of the language.

So, Should You Learn C++?

After all this, should you learn C++ or consider it for your next project? The answer is a resounding yes, but with a few important caveats.

1. Not for Absolute Beginners If you are just starting your programming journey, C++ is not the ideal first language. It's better to start with C to grasp the fundamentals of memory management and program structure at a low level. Once you have that foundation, you can then appreciate and correctly utilize the powerful abstractions that C++ provides.

2. Use Features Wisely Avoid using C++ features simply because they exist or seem like convenient syntactic sugar. Without a solid design and understanding, these features can lead to significant trouble as your codebase grows in complexity.

3. Diversify Your Skills Make sure you also invest time in learning a memory-safe language like Rust. The landscape of systems programming is evolving, and being proficient in modern alternatives is a valuable asset.

C++ remains a cornerstone of software development, powering everything from high-performance game engines to critical financial systems. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses is key to wielding it effectively.