Brief history of the C++ language

Summary

In 1978, Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie introduced the C programming language at AT&T Labs in New Jersey. Seven years on, Bjarne Stroustrup built upon C's foundations by creating C++, a language that embraced object-oriented programming and other enhancements. The '+' in C++ symbolizes an increment operator in C, suggesting an advancement over its predecessor. C++ has influenced many languages, including Apple's Objective-C and Microsoft C, and continues to be a significant language with 9% of lines written, ranking third after C and Java.

Takeaways

• 📚 Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie developed the C programming language, which was published in 1978.
• 🔢 C++, a C-based language, was introduced in 1985 by Bjarne Stroustrup, incorporating object-oriented programming and other enhancements.
• 🔄 The '+' in C++ symbolizes the increment operator in C, suggesting an improvement over the original C language.
• 🍎 Variants of C++ include Apple's Objective-C and Microsoft C, indicating the language's adaptability and widespread use.
• 🌐 Many newer programming languages, such as Java, have been influenced by C++, showing its enduring impact on the field.
• 📈 C++ is the third most commonly written language, with 9% of lines written, following C and Java, as depicted in the graph.
• 💡 The development of C++ aimed to extend the capabilities of C, adding object-oriented programming constructs for more structured and reusable code.
• 🛠️ C++'s popularity can be attributed to its performance and flexibility, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
• 📝 The script highlights the historical significance of C and C++ in the evolution of programming languages and their continued relevance today.
• 🔑 The naming of C++ reflects the language's incremental improvements over its predecessor, C, and its role in advancing programming paradigms.
• 🌟 The script provides a snapshot of the programming language landscape, with C++ holding a notable position among other languages.

Q & A

Who were the original creators of the C programming language?

Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie created the C programming language while working at AT&T Labs in New Jersey.

In what year was the C programming language first published?

The C programming language was first published in 1978.

Who is credited with the development of the C++ programming language?

Bjarne Stroustrup is credited with the development of the C++ programming language.

When was the C++ programming language first described in a book?

C++ was first described in a book in 1985, seven years after the publication of C.

What programming paradigm does C++ support that C does not?

C++ supports object-oriented programming, a paradigm not present in the original C language.

What does the '++' in the name C++ represent?

The '++' in the name C++ represents the increment operator in C, suggesting an improvement over the C language.

Can you name some variants of C++?

Variants of C++ include Apple's Objective-C and Microsoft C, among others.

How does the script describe the influence of C++ on newer programming languages?

The script states that many newer languages, like Java, have a strong C++ flavor, indicating C++'s influence on their design.

What is the script's claim about the popularity of C++ in terms of lines of code written?

According to the script, C++ is the third most commonly written language, with 9% of the lines written in all languages.

Which languages are mentioned in the script as being more commonly used than C++?

The script mentions that C and Java are more commonly used than C++, with C++ following as the third most used language.

What does the graph mentioned in the script illustrate?

The graph in the script illustrates the percentage of lines written per language, showing C++'s position as the third most written language.