software development Archives

C++ creator rebuts White House warning, but there’s no smoke without fire :)

In a March 15 response to an inquiry from InfoWorld, Stroustrup pointed out strengths of C++. “I find it surprising that the writers of those government documents seem oblivious of the strengths of contemporary C++ and the efforts to provide strong safety guarantees,” Stroustrup said.

And Stroustrup cited a fact about the origin of the issue :

There are two problems related to safety. Of the billions of lines of C++, few completely follow modern guidelines, and peoples’ notions of which aspects of safety are important differ.

This highlights a significant problem with C++. When any programming language permits the execution of potentially harmful actions, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a considerable portion of developers may misuse it.

And when confronted about writing bad code, developers may offer various arguments to justify their actions, though these are often excuses rather than valid reasons:

What attempts have been made to bring memory safety to C++?

C++ is a powerful and widely used programming language known for its flexibility and performance. However, one of its historical drawbacks has been the lack of built-in memory safety features, which can lead to various types of memory-related bugs such as buffer overflows, dangling pointers, and memory leaks.

This is a known issue that has persisted for decades, and numerous attempts have been made to find a solution. Unfortunately, none have succeeded.

What has been done in the past to enhance memory safety within the language?

Make your C++ code more safer by enabling the native compiler Runtime Checks.

Runtime checks in C++ refer to mechanisms or tools used to detect errors, vulnerabilities, or unexpected behavior in a program while it is executing. These checks are performed dynamically during runtime rather than at compile-time and can help identify issues that may not be apparent during static analysis or code review.

What about our emotional relationship with a specific programming language? C++ as example.

The emotional relationship between a developer and a programming language can be quite profound and personal, like to the relationship between a musician and his instrument. This relationship is shaped by various factors and experiences, leading to a complex mix of feelings and attachments.

Developers often feel a sense of comfort and familiarity with a programming language they have been using for a long time. They develop an intimate understanding of its syntax, semantics, and quirks, which can create a feeling of being “at home” when writing code. Emotional attachment to a programming language can fuel passion and motivation in developers. However, it can introduce some risks, like :

Loki: The Premier C++ Library for Mastering Design Patterns – Join Us in Its Modernization!

Should you opt to delve into modern C++ design with a background in Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), consider starting your journey with the Loki library.

Loki is a C++ software library authored by Andrei Alexandrescu, developed alongside his book “Modern C++ Design.”

In the C++ community, there’s a need for a library that provides a robust framework for design patterns. Loki stands out as a strong contender for such a role. Therefore, modernizing Loki and incorporating as many widely used design patterns as possible would greatly benefit C++ developers.

Discover CPPDepend 2023.1: New Features & Enhancements

CppDepend, the leading code analysis tool for C/C++ developers, announces the release of its latest version 2023.1, with exciting new features aimed at improving code quality and maintenance.

The latest version includes a Maintainability Index, which helps developers assess the maintainability of their code. The index is calculated using various metrics, including code complexity and design, and provides a single, easy-to-understand score that gives developers a quick understanding of the state of their codebase.

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