undefined | Better HN

0 pointsnotacoward8y ago0 comments

> it's one of the few languages that gives you low-level control of memory and fast code with zero or near zero cost abstractions. So for a certain class of application it's still the best choice.

For a certain class of program, you mean. For applications specifically, the advantages you mention are barely relevant. Usually only small parts of a whole application need low-level control of memory etc. Those can be written in C, with the rest written in a cleaner higher-level language that interfaces easily with C (there are many such)

C++ is proof that a single language can't satisfy all needs. It tries to do the low-level stuff as well as C, and fails because it can't produce libraries that are as easy to link to. Then it tries to do all the high-level stuff as well as other languages, and utterly fails because it can't get away from its low-level roots. D, Rust, and Nim all make better compromises that suit just about all C++ use cases. Go and Pony do a better job for some but not others. I won't say there's no room for C++ in a sane computing world, but its legitimate niche is very small indeed.

0 comments

carlmr8y ago

>For a certain class of program, you mean. For applications specifically, the advantages you mention are barely relevant. Usually only small parts of a whole application need low-level control of memory etc.

I'd say Rust has a similar level of control. I just rewrote our longest build step (37 minutes on a normal build) in Rust. By having control over when things are allocated I could get it down to about 20 seconds. The previous software is written in Java.

If you want speed you need to choose C, C++ or Rust. If you want it safely, then Rust. I'd argue in my case that Rust was probably the fastest choice. As I probably would have copied more in C/C++. In Rust I can trust that my memory is intact.

I'd also choose C over C++ though. I find it's a much more manageable language. I never found it hard to make the right abstractions in it, except for maybe a lack of generics (which C11 kind of solves for).

pjmlp8y ago

We are starting to see that trend on GUI frameworks and game engines.

C++ is still there, doing what it does best, driving pixels around with maximum performance.

But the upper layer, exposed to app developers and game designers, is done in another language.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse