The real problem of C++ - Klaus Iglberger - Meeting C++ 2025

Klaus Iglberger argues that the primary issue with C++ is not its safety features, but rather the lack of modern best-practice adoption among developers.

An analysis from Klaus Iglberger about what the real problem is with C++ from Meeting C++ 2025. Slides: slides.meetingcpp.com It is popular today to complain about C++’s perceived safety issues: bounds, type, initialization and lifetime safety, and not to forget undefined behavior. However, when we take an honest look we will realize that today we have wonderful solutions to cope with these issues: ranges, value semantics, strong types, concepts, constexpr, … Using those makes it almost impossible to experience problems with any of these safety issues. So the question is: why do C++ developers still experience problems and why is C++ still perceived as problematic? In this talk, we will focus on what really goes wrong in the C++ industry. We’ll talk about the 10% bubble, i.e. the fact that the vast majority of “C++ developers” is not fully aware of the state of the art and cannot or chooses not to use the recommended tools and features. We’ll also take a look at the mindset of C++ developers, who too often seem to be attracted to the dangerous details. And finally, we’ll take a look at the reason why the current teaching material is not consequently updated to the newest best practices. Although initially it may sound like a legacy problem, we’ll come to realize that C++ has a people problem.