History of C++ Language
The C++ programming language is an advanced version of the C language. It was designed to provide more powerful features like object-oriented programming while still keeping the speed, efficiency, and flexibility of C. Because of this balance, C++ is often called "C with Classes". It allows programmers to write both system-level programs (like C) and application-level programs using modern concepts.
C++ was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs in the early 1980s. Stroustrup wanted to create a language that combined the low-level programming abilities of C (such as direct memory access and fast execution) with high-level programming features like classes, objects, inheritance, and abstraction. This made C++ suitable for a wide range of applications, including operating systems, games, database software, and large-scale projects.
In simple words, C++ extended the strengths of C and introduced new programming concepts that made it easier to design reusable, organized, and maintainable code. This is why C++ became one of the most popular and influential languages in the history of computer science.
Interesting Historical Facts:
- The original name of C++ was "C with Classes".
- The name C++ was suggested by Rick Mascitti in 1983.
- The "++" in C++ comes from the increment operator in C — representing an improved version of C.
- Bjarne Stroustrup wrote the first official C++ book titled "The C++ Programming Language".
- C++ was initially used in telephone systems and simulations at Bell Labs.
- C++ is standardized by the ISO committee (WG21), which still maintains its future updates.
Timeline of C++ Language Evolution:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1979 | Bjarne Stroustrup started working on "C with Classes" at Bell Labs |
| 1983 | The language was officially named C++ |
| 1985 | First official release of C++ along with Stroustrup’s book "The C++ Programming Language" |
| 1989 | Release of C++ 2.0 with features like multiple inheritance and abstract classes |
| 1998 | First ISO/ANSI standard for C++ (known as C++98) |
| 2003 | Minor update called C++03 for bug fixes and improvements |
| 2011 | C++11 released with major new features (auto, smart pointers, lambda expressions) |
| 2014 | C++14 introduced with small but useful improvements |
| 2017 | C++17 added more standard library updates and language simplifications |
| 2020 | C++20 released with big changes (concepts, ranges, coroutines, modules) |
| 2023 | C++23 introduced with further modern features for simplicity and safety |
Real-Life Analogy:
Just like how basic phones evolved into smartphones with more advanced features but still kept the calling function, C++ evolved from C by adding object-oriented features while keeping the speed and efficiency of C.
Summary:
- C++ was created by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs in the early 1980s.
- It started as "C with Classes" and was later renamed to C++ in 1983.
- First official release came in 1985 with Stroustrup’s book.
- Major standards include C++98, C++03, C++11, C++14, C++17, C++20, and C++23.
- C++ combined the power of C with modern features like object-oriented programming.
- To create a language that offers both efficiency and flexibility.