Eight years ago, when I was using C++ to write a trading system, there were already discussions on Zhihu claiming that C++ backend development was no longer viable;
Five years ago, while I was using C++ for instant messaging, similar claims were made on Zhihu;
Now, in 2025, as I write middleware in C++, there are still people saying that C++ backend development is no longer viable.
Learning C++ has never been just about mastering its language standards or syntax, but rather understanding the entire set of operating system principles behind it. Without this understanding, one cannot excel in C++, nor can one succeed in other languages and development work when it gets complex.
The tactical shift to a different programming language may provide some shortcuts, but it cannot mask the strategic disadvantage of lacking a solid foundation in technical principles. Such individuals will ultimately become obstacles in their careers, receiving discouraging emails after graduation.
In the current IT job market, those who cannot find jobs are not struggling due to a lack of knowledge in Java, Go, or any other language, but rather due to a lack of solid technical foundations (for fresh graduates) and practical engineering experience (for experienced hires). The competition for CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) jobs is too fierce, making it hard to secure such positions; meanwhile, they cannot engage in core technology framework and system development.
In this current system, foundational and critical fields such as operating systems, large frameworks, virtual machine middleware, databases, and compilers have never shifted away from C/C++. Even if other languages excel in certain niche areas, the status of C/C++ has never been shaken.
The path of technology, including the learning of programming languages, should be considered in conjunction with one’s career planning. If you want to thrive in the tech industry, it is essential to master a heavyweight programming language, and C++ is particularly relevant at this time.
Moreover, as the technological battles in the tech field intensify, foundational technologies and programming languages will only gain more importance, and the demand for talent in these areas will continue to rise.
Recommended Reading
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Latest PDF on Learning the Linux Kernel 2025 – Limited Time Offer
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Developing C++ Mini-Games from Scratch
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Writing a Redis from Scratch in C (https://cppguide.cn/pages/writemyredisfromscratch01/)
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Developing a Debugger from Scratch with C++17
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Building a Complete Low-Latency Trading System from Scratch with C++20
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Implementing a Large C Language Compiler from Scratch
C/C++ Project Practical Training Camp, which dissects a total of eight medium to large projects, is illustrated in the mind map below:
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C/C++ Project Practical Training Camp
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