These days, programming languages that were once touted as the wave of the future seem to die faster than a smart-phone’s battery. To stay relevant in today’s world, it seems like we are expected to learn (and forget) more and more new languages. Through it all, one old friend remains in our programmer’s toolkit. C++ has been with us since the 1970’s and is the driving force behind just about every piece of software we use, from operating systems to the latest games. This old dog refuses to lie down, and with the insatiable appetite for mobile devices and the apps that they run, C++ is experiencing a whole new renaissance.
Many college students are asking their favorite online programming forums what exactly is the relevance of C++ these days? After all, there are so many great new languages out there that are easier to use, and developed specifically for the latest new technology. The answer is simple. Underneath all of that fancy new scripting, C++ keeps everything running smoothly and efficiently without overtaxing the hardware. Three major factors keep C++ as a major player in today’s technology.
Efficiency – C++ was developed in the early 1970’s, when it was important to run many computing processes on 640K of memory. Every last byte counted in those days, and C++ was built to flourish in that environment. In the modern days of quad-core processors and memory in the terabytes, programmers think nothing about wasting 16k of code here and there. With the rise of mobile technology, and the need to wring every last bit of power from a limited processor and memory, lower level code becomes more and more appealing.
Widespread Use – C++ is in everything from popular operating systems like Windows and Apple OS, to embedded applications like console game cartridges. It is said that 80% of the software on store shelves relies on C++. With such a long and entrenched history, C++ also has a huge library to draw on. This kind of backup makes it the perfect platform to explore applications for strange new technologies. TOUCH: Hand-crafted Software builds powerful applications that run on Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, Android, and iPhone using C++ and the JUCE library.
Faster – Many new programming languages on the scene are managed languages, which mean that they require an external compiler like .NET or Java Virtual Machine. This makes them easier to program with, but it also makes them less efficient. C++ is native code which means that it interacts directly with the hardware. Plus, as an added bonus, guess what language those compilers are built with?
As new and exciting new technologies appear on the scene, it looks like C++ will continue to be there to keep that technology running. Not bad for an old dog. Contact us today and let us help you bring your software idea to life with C++ or whichever language is best suited to power your vision.
