Origin (Late 1970s–Early 1980s)
C++ was created by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Laboratories.While working on large system software, Stroustrup wanted the efficiency and low-level control of C combined with the object-oriented features of languages like Simula.
In 1979, he began extending the C language. This early version was called “C with Classes”, introducing:
- Classes
- Objects
- Data abstraction
- Basic encapsulation
Naming and Early Development (1983)
In 1983, C with Classes was renamed C++.The name comes from the C increment operator (++), symbolizing “C, but improved.”
New features were added:
- Constructors and destructors
- Function overloading
- Virtual functions
- Inheritance
C++ remained backward compatible with C, which helped it gain rapid acceptance.
Standardization Era
As C++ grew popular, different compilers behaved differently. To solve this, formal standardization began.
Major Milestones:
- 1998 – C++98: First ISO standard
- 2003 – C++03: Minor fixes and clarifications
- 2011 – C++11: Major update (auto, lambda, smart pointers, threading)
- 2014 – C++14: Refinements and performance improvements
- 2017 – C++17: Simplified syntax and standard library enhancements
- 2020 – C++20: Concepts, ranges, coroutines, modules
- 2023 – C++23: Incremental improvements and library expansions
Why C++ Became Popular
C++ succeeded because it:
- Combines high performance with high-level abstractions
- Supports procedural, object-oriented, and generic programming
- Is suitable for system software and large applications
Modern Importance
Today, C++ is widely used in:
- Operating systems
- Game engines
- Compilers
- Embedded systems
- High-performance and real-time applications