C++ is a powerful and widely-used programming language that has undergone several changes and additions over the years. These changes are driven by the need to enhance the language’s features, improve its performance, and address the evolving demands of the software development industry. In this blog post, we will take a look at the evolution of the C++ language standards and highlight some of the key features and enhancements that have been introduced.
The Beginning: C++98 / C++03
The first standardized version of C++, commonly referred to as C++98, was published in 1998. It introduced many features that are now considered fundamental to the language, including classes, templates, and exception handling. The C++03 standard, which was published in 2003, made minor amendments and bug fixes to the original standard.
The C++11 Revolution
The release of the C++11 standard in 2011 marked a significant milestone in the evolution of the language. This standard introduced a wide range of new features and improvements that made C++ more expressive, efficient, and easier to work with. Some of the notable additions in C++11 include:
- Lambda expressions
- Range-based for loops
- Move semantics
- Smart pointers
- Type inference with auto
- Rvalue references
These additions greatly improved the productivity and ease of use of the language, enabling developers to write more concise and efficient code.
C++14 and C++17: Building on C++11
The C++14 and C++17 standards were incremental updates to C++11, focusing on refining and extending the features introduced in the previous standard. Some key additions in C++14 and C++17 include:
- Binary literals
- String literals as template parameters
- constexpr if
- Structured bindings
- Parallel algorithms
- Filesystem library
- Optional type
- Variant type
These updates provided more flexibility and power to C++ developers, enabling them to write more efficient and maintainable code.
C++20 and Beyond
The latest version of C++, C++20, was published in 2020. This standard introduced numerous new features and enhancements to the language. Some notable additions in C++20 include:
C++20 brings numerous improvements that aim to simplify development, enhance performance, and provide new capabilities to C++ programmers. Looking ahead, the C++23 standard is already in the works, with plans for additional exciting features and enhancements.
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