The creator of C++ advises against learning it online and suggests these two books
Computer scientist Bjarne Stroustrup, creator of the C++ programming language, visited the University of La Laguna to give a lecture on the relevance of his language today. He shared a powerful message and some advice for future programmers.
During his speech, he highlighted the pivotal role that C++ has played in software development across multiple sectors, from artificial intelligence to operating systems and video games. According to him, the language has proven its strength over the years and remains one of the essential tools for modern programming.
This Danish mathematician is the original designer of C++, a language that revolutionized the software industry. Created in the 1980s, its goal was to improve on C by adding object-oriented programming features without losing its efficiency and flexibility.
It was developed by Stroustrup while working at Bell Labs, convinced that a language was needed that combined controllability and structure. Since then, it has become one of the most widely used programming languages in the world.
Stroustrup defended the role of C++ in the present and future of programming. Despite the emergence of new languages such as Rust or Go, he stressed that his language remains essential due to its versatility and performance. In his opinion, the language has evolved enough to remain one of the best options in the industry.
He talked about the challenges of creating it, explaining that it was not difficult to design the language but rather to convince people of its benefits without a marketing team or a budget to promote it. He also discussed the relationship between C++ and artificial intelligence, noting that most of the current artificial intelligence tools were developed using this language.
One of the highlights of his speech was his warning against teaching programming. Bjarne Stroustrup pointed out that you can't learn C++ online, as much of the information available is outdated or inconsistent.
For those who want to master the language, he recommends modern books like A Tour of C++ or Principles and Practice Using C++. According to him, the key to being a good programmer is not relying on online tutorials but building a solid foundation and understanding that the world of programming is constantly changing.
Despite the advancement of technology and the emergence of more modern languages, C++ remains an essential tool for computer scientists. As Bjarne noted at his conference, its success lies in its robustness and adaptability, which it has proven for more than 40 years.