In the world of programming languages, C++ has always been surrounded by controversy. On one hand, it is criticized for being complex, difficult to learn, and prone to “trapping” programmers; on the other hand, it is a core force supporting the modern computing ecosystem—from browsers to game engines, and even in finance and AI systems. With the rise of emerging languages like Rust, discussions about whether “C++ is outdated” and “whether Rust will take its place” have become increasingly heated. However, upon deeper analysis, we find that C++ continues to evolve and maintains an irreplaceable position in many key areas.

Original link:https://dayvster.com/blog/in-defense-of-cpp/

Author | Dayvi Schuster Editor | Su MaProduced by | CSDN (ID: CSDNnews)

C++ is often criticized for being too complex, with a steep learning curve, and more importantly, it can easily lead programmers to “dig their own graves.” But are these criticisms really justified?

In this article, I aim to analyze the most common criticisms of C++ while providing a balanced view of its pros and cons.

C++ is “too complex”

Indeed, C++ is a complex language with many features and functionalities. If you want to achieve something in C++, there may be a dozen different ways to do it, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. So how do programmers know which method is best suited for their scenario? Is it necessary to have a deep understanding of the language to make a decision?

Actually, it’s not entirely like that… Of course, understanding the language will help your application, but it is not a strict requirement. Premature optimization is the root of all evil; in C++, you can write simple, readable, and maintainable code without resorting to templates, operator overloading, or other advanced features.

Many people believe that programming must be done in the most “correct” and “efficient” way. Python has its Pythonic style, Java, C#, and Go each have their own conventions. Even simple operations like rendering HTML in a browser are debated every few years. But in reality, there is often no single correct way. The so-called “best solution” is often just a matter of personal or team preference. The belief that writing “best code” means it will never need maintenance is completely wrong.

Instead of getting overly caught up in the “best method,” it’s better to focus on whether the code is readable and understandable. As long as you achieve that, you’re generally fine.

C++ is already “outdated”

C++ is indeed quite old; it was born in 1985—four years before the first version of Windows and six years before the first version of Linux, even predating the last batch of 8-bit computers. By age, it is indeed old. But does that mean it is outdated?

Absolutely not! C++ has been continuously evolving and improving since its release in 1985, with new features being added regularly. The latest C++20 standard was released in 2020, introducing many new features; C++23 further enhances the standard library and constexpr capabilities, expanding concepts, ranges, and coroutines, making C++ more modern, powerful, and flexible.

Some may argue that C++ is outdated because other languages offer developers a better experience.

This is quite subjective. C++ remains one of the most widely used programming languages, with a vast ecosystem of libraries and tools. From game development to high-performance computing and embedded systems, C++ is extensively applied. Many of the most popular and widely used software in the world is written in C++.

Overall, to say C++ is outdated, you would have to very reluctantly define what “outdated” means.

C++ is “unsafe”

Finally, we come to the most discussed issue recently. Many people compare C++ with Rust, as Rust is a “memory-safe” language, and many believe it should replace C++.

Let’s get to the point:

Rewriting a C++ codebase in Rust does indeed make it easier to avoid memory issues.

Many companies have reported that by rewriting C++ in Rust, they have reduced the number of security vulnerabilities, memory leaks, and bugs.

But is this really because of Rust itself? Part of the reason is correct, but I believe the bigger reason is—any rewrite of an existing codebase is generally less prone to issues than the original version.

When rewriting code, you have the opportunity to rethink and redesign the architecture, fix bugs, and improve code quality. You can leverage the lessons learned from the previous version to address the issues that were hard to fix before. It’s like when you built a small wooden house years ago without knowing carpentry, and it was a bit shaky with a leaky roof; years later, when you build another one, you apply the lessons learned and make it sturdier and more weather-resistant, using better materials. The new wooden house is better not just because you changed materials, but because you learned from experience.

Therefore, I believe that many companies claim that rewriting C++ to Rust is safer not because Rust has magic, but because they restructured the code and learned from past experiences.

Of course, this does not deny that C++ does have safety issues.

If C++ is not written carefully, it can indeed lead to problems. But in fact, all languages can be unsafe: Rust can also write unsafe code, and so can Python and JavaScript. Memory safety is just one aspect of safety; using Rust does not automatically make your application safe; it merely reduces the likelihood of memory leaks.

How can C++ be made safer?

It is possible; C++ can be made safer, even achieving memory safety. For example, by using smart pointers, static analysis tools, and memory sanitizers. In theory, you could even add a garbage collector to C++ (though it is not recommended).

The simplest method is to learn to use smart pointers. Smart pointers can automatically manage memory, helping you avoid memory leaks and dangling pointers, which are the main criticisms of C++.

C++ is hard to read?

Then don’t write it so complex. C++ is a multi-paradigm programming language; you can write procedural, object-oriented, functional code, or a mix. You can write simple, readable C++, or you can write complex and hard-to-understand C++, depending on personal or team preference.

My rule of thumb is: try to make C++ look like C, and only use advanced features when necessary. Use smart pointers, avoid raw pointers, and try to use the standard library.

You can write C++ just like C, only introducing complexity when truly needed.

Some may ask: “Doesn’t this go against the original intention of C++? Then why not just use C?”

C++ is a superset of C; you can run pure C code in C++. C++ gives you more features that you can use as needed, without having to use all features from the start. It’s like building a wooden house; you can start with wood for the roof and add a metal roof later when needed.

The C++ ecosystem is complex

C++ has a vast ecosystem, with many libraries and tools developed over decades, which can leave newcomers unsure of what to choose. However, this problem is not unique to C++; every language has similar issues.

In fact, you only need to follow one very simple rule: prioritize using the standard library, which is well-maintained and feature-rich. For specific tasks like networking or GUI, choose well-known, well-maintained libraries.

Avoid using Boost as much as possible. Boost is a large collection of libraries widely used in the C++ community. However, many libraries in Boost are outdated and unmaintained. Additionally, these libraries can be quite complex and difficult to use. If it’s not a large project, try to use more modern and lightweight libraries to avoid performance overhead and bloat.

C++ is not suitable for beginners?

Programming itself is not simple; any skill is the same: carpentry, auto repair, programming, all are difficult. No language is entirely suitable for beginners; each language has its trade-offs.

If you want to learn system programming or game development, just learning Python or JavaScript won’t help much; you will ultimately need to learn C or C++.

If your goal is web development or data analysis, you can start with Python or JavaScript.

If you want to find a programming job, learning Java or C# is also a good choice; these languages are often misunderstood, but there are many job opportunities.

In summary, starting programming will always be challenging. In fact, I believe starting with C or C++ is better than learning languages that “hide the underlying concepts” because you will understand the core concepts while they are still fresh and flexible, rather than waiting until you have invested a lot before filling in those foundational knowledge gaps.

C++ vs Rust: Friends or Foes?

In recent years, Rust has gained a lot of popularity, and there are good reasons for that. For example, this language places a strong emphasis on memory safety, enforcing rules through the borrow checker, while C++ often leaves these safety responsibilities to the programmer. However, Rust’s ecosystem is still under construction, and its learning curve is also steep, just with different challenges.

While C++ cannot completely prevent you from “digging your own grave,” it has decades of battle-tested toolchains, compilers, and libraries that support large systems like Chrome and Unreal Engine. In fact, many teams use Rust and C++ together rather than viewing them as competitors. Rust excels in new projects, especially in scenarios with high safety requirements, while C++ continues to dominate in legacy systems and performance-critical areas.

Will C++ still be in use in 2025?

The answer is: absolutely! Despite claims that it is outdated, C++ remains one of the most widely used programming languages in the world. Major browsers like Chrome and Firefox still use it for development, and the Unreal game engine is also based on it. Automotive systems, financial trading platforms, and even some AI frameworks heavily rely on C++ to ensure performance and controllability. New standards (C++20, C++23) are continuously modernizing the language, ensuring it can compete with younger languages. If you look closely at the underlying large systems we rely on daily, you will almost always find C++ running quietly in the background.

Conclusion

C++ is a powerful and versatile programming language that has stood the test of time. While it has its complexities and challenges, it remains very useful and widely applied in today’s technological landscape. With the right approach and mindset, C++ can not only make the development process enjoyable but also create high-performance, efficient applications.

So, the next time someone criticizes C++, consider the advantages and capabilities of this veteran language before jumping to conclusions.

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