Keynote: Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks - Matt Godbolt - ACCU 2025

Matt Godbolt compares classic C++11 with modern C++ features by implementing a ZX Spectrum emulator in both styles.

ACCU Membership: tinyurl.com/ydnfkcyn --- Keynote: Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks - Matt Godbolt - ACCU 2025 --- As a self-proclaimed C++ dinosaur, I set out to prove that my comfortable, battle-tested ways of writing code (somewhere between C++11 and C++14) were clearly superior to all this modern constexpr-everything, coroutine-laden C++. What better way to demonstrate this than by implementing the same ZX Spectrum emulator twice - once in familiar C++11 style, and once with all the shiny new features that folks these days seem to love? Through practical examples and live demonstrations, we'll explore how modern C++ features transform - for better or worse - our approach to systems programming. Watch as my preconceptions about template metaprogramming, coroutines, and modules are challenged, and discover where modern features genuinely shine... and where they might just be showing off. Whether you're another comfortable old dinosaur curious about modern C++, or a new grad wondering why some of us still write for loops instead of using std::ranges, you'll come away with concrete examples of how modern features apply to traditional problems. And perhaps, like me, you'll learn that teaching an old dog new tricks isn't always painful - sometimes it's just enlightening. Slides: accu.org/conf-previous/accu2025/ Join think-cell as a C++ Developer and work on cutting-edge challenges with a focus on code excellence, innovation, and working alongside an international team of experts — apply now to be part of a team shaping the future of business presentations. think-cell.com/en/career --- Matt Godbolt Matt Godbolt is a C++ developer with a passion for striking the balance between readable, maintainable code and high-performance solutions. He is fascinated by looking under the hood, whether that's exploring the inner workings of compilers, operating systems, or even the silicon powering our devices. Matt usually applies his expertise in C++ to write software for the finance industry, but is on a break right now. He's pursuing a range of hobby projects, from emulating vintage computers in the browser and building embedded systems to developing and maintaining the Compiler Explorer website. Video Sponsored By JetBrains --- The ACCU Conference is the annual conference of the ACCU membership, but is open to any and all who wish to attend. The tagline for the ACCU is 'Professionalism in Programming', which captures the whole spectrum of programming languages, tools, techniques and processes involved in advancing our craft. While there remains a core of C and C++ - with many members participating in respective ISO standards bodies - the conference, like the organisation, embraces other language ecosystems and you should expect to see sessions on C#, D, F#, Go, Javascript, Haskell, Java, Kotlin, Lisp, Python, Ruby, Rust, Swift and more.The ACCU Conference is a conference by programmers for programmers about programming. Di