C++

C++ is a general-purpose programming language created by Bjarne Stroustrup as an extension of the C programming language, or “C with Classes”. It is widely used for system/software development, game development, drivers, client-server applications, and embedded firmware.

Versions

C++98

• First standardized version of C++.
• Introduced the Standard Template Library (STL).
• Added exceptions, RTTI, and namespaces.
• Standardized templates and operator overloading.

C++03

• Bug-fix and clarification release for C++98.
• Improved template handling, value initialization, and standard library conformance.
• Introduced small but notable additions like std::ios_base::failure and better export semantics.

C++11

• Major modernization.
• Core features:
  • auto, range-based for loops, nullptr, lambdas.
  • rvalue references and move semantics.
  • constexpr, static_assert, enum class.
• Library additions:
  • Smart pointers, unordered containers, threading library, regex, chrono, tuples.

C++14

• Refinement of C++11; small usability upgrades.
• Features:
  • Generic lambdas, return type deduction, binary literals.
  • Relaxed constexpr rules and small library improvements (std::make_unique).

C++17

• Consolidation and cleanup of C++11/14 with new high-level utilities.
• Core features:
  • Structured bindings, if constexpr, fold expressions, inline variables.
  • Class template argument deduction (CTAD), guaranteed copy elision.
• Library additions:
  • std::optional, std::variant, std::any.
  • std::string_view, std::filesystem, and parallel algorithms.
  • New utilities in <memory_resource> and <execution>.

C++20

• A major leap forward introducing concepts, modules, and coroutines.
• Core features:
  • Concepts for constraining templates.
  • Modules as a faster, cleaner alternative to headers.
  • Coroutines (co_await, co_yield, co_return) for async programming.
  • Three-way comparison operator (<=> or “spaceship operator”).
  • consteval, constinit, and more powerful constexpr functions.
• Library additions:
  • std::span, std::ranges, std::format, std::source_location.
  • Calendar and timezone support in <chrono>.
  • std::jthread, std::stop_token, and synchronization primitives.
  • Concepts-based ranges library and the views framework.

C++23

• Incremental but meaningful refinement of C++20.
• Core features:
  • Deduction guides for more containers and aggregates.
  • if consteval, explicit for operator(), and more constexpr expansions.
  • constexpr dynamic allocation (heap operations now allowed in constexpr).
  • Improved pattern matching groundwork via std::visit extensions.
• Library additions:
  • std::expected (error handling without exceptions).
  • std::print / std::println (fast I/O using std::format backend).
  • std::flat_map / std::flat_set (cache-friendly associative containers).
  • std::move_only_function as a lightweight, move-only callable wrapper.
  • Expanded ranges algorithms and string views.
  • Standardized stacktrace support (std::stacktrace).