[0x457]

I think not many people ever got properly introduced to C++.

Some probably only saw it during their format education, and it's most likely been taught like C with classes and/or they had to use for stupid things.

There are also many forms of C++, there is your "old and regular" C++, game dev C++, there is modern C++, then there is "I only know C, but sure I can write C++" C++.

Pulling dependencies is not as simple as `npm i boost`.

Communities are small, segmented and not welcoming to newbies.

Absolute madness with build tools. I've never worked with CMake myself until last year, and I haven't so frustrated.

As for how many applications using C++ that's not really an argument — C++ was literally the only choice for many of them at that time.

[spookie]

Not really an argument? The C/C++ ecosystem is so well established that even today you don't have a choice in a lot of contexts.

If that doesn't show the power of a language, I don't know what can. I don't really think the community is toxic or unwelcoming, more like people are too used to ctrl+c ctrl+v their way out of problems. Nothing against that, I'm the same way, but it really is a matter of taking your time with the language. I've honestly learned to applaud most rust fanatics because of this, at least they are passionate about learning athe language inside/out.

[throwaway894345]

Where is C++ the only choice? Gamedev seems like the closest—as far as I know, most AAA games aren’t using C, but I think maybe many are using C# via Unity (I’m not familiar with the gamedev space)? In the embedded world, C still reigns supreme. Maybe in the world of high frequency trading? But these seem to be fewer and fewer and Rust seems increasingly likely to be a contender in these domains.

[cyber_kinetist]

Game engines are one example, there isn't a robust-enough language other than C++ that has the ability to build some powerful abstractions while also giving you the tools to manage hardware more directly. Note that Unity uses C# as a scripting language, but under the hood the core engine is all in C++.

[pjmlp]

Under the hood some of that C++ code is now the C# subset used by the Burst compiler.

[spookie]

Drivers, data driven system that have higher performance standards, medical imagery, military components heavily employ Ada mixed with C++ interfaces.

[throwaway894345]

I agree that these things all use C++, but the parent’s claim was that there are areas (industries?) where C++ has no alternatives. Drivers and high performance systems can all make use of C, Rust, Ada, etc as well as C++ depending on requirements.

[spookie]

I'm sorry, but Rust still has ways to go before established industries believe on it enough to drop C/C++. I use C/C++ interchangeably, since extending an existing C codebase won't be a problem. Most aren't willing to go as far as Ada either, the reason why that even in military endeavors, C/C++ is used as a more familiar "face".

I think it's pretty easy to forget the foothold these languages have, and their flexibility. We all have seen the perseverance of COBOL.

[throwaway894345]

My original comment specifically said that older languages have staying power, and that Rust will have to mature a bit to become the language of choice for new projects in these niches. But even still, I wasn’t talking about dropping C++ for Rust—I only mentioned Rust as an alternate option.

[0x457]

Horse and carriages had a well established ecosystem. We don't use that for moving people and goods anymore.

Being old isn't a superpower. That said, I don't see C++ replaced in certain areas for loooong time.

[spookie]

Yeah, it'll surely fade out given time. It's certainly not a perfect language.

[dottedmag]

To be properly introduced to C++ is to be properly introduced to the madness called UB.

Of course not many people ever got properly introduced to C++.

[pjmlp]

Something that C++ inherited from C. ISO C has about 200 documented cases of UB.

[FerociousTimes]

I echo the same sentiment here but mainly for C language as If my memory serves me right, I didn't have any encounter with C++.

My experience was negative overall and traumatic to some extent and I wouldn't rule out that some who were first exposed to the language in college or even HS share the same aversion and feel scarred and haunted forever by that Blue Ghost.