The creator of the C++ programming language called for protecting the language from extinction. What threatens it

Danish computer scientist Bjarne Stroustrup, known as the creator of C++, has appealed to IT professionals to protect the programming language, which has been shunned in recent years. What is the reason?

As reported by The Register, Stroustrup emphasized that C++ has recently become a target for criticism due to memory safety issues, which could lead to a loss of trust in the language and its displacement from key areas of development.

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Why C++ is under threat

In recent years, cybersecurity experts, large technology companies, and government agencies have increasingly raised concerns about C++’s memory-related vulnerabilities, leading many organizations to move to alternatives with built-in security mechanisms, such as Rust, Go, Java, and Swift.

For example:

Google is gradually reducing the use of C++ in its projects and promoting Rust.

Microsoft recommends that developers abandon C/C++ in favor of safer languages.

The US National Cybersecurity Agency (CISA) emphasizes that memory-related vulnerabilities are one of the main causes of attacks on software.

What Stroustrup offers

In his letter to the C++ standardization committee, he emphasized the need for rapid changes to improve the language’s security. The Danish programmer proposes creating Memory Safety Profiles that would reduce the number of vulnerabilities.

Bjarn Stroustrup believes that securing C++ will help:

Implementation of automatic memory control mechanisms in C++.

Creating clear guidelines for developers on secure coding.

Expanding code analysis capabilities to prevent memory errors.

Preserving C++ performance, but with improved security mechanisms.

«Security is obviously critical in many contexts, so I’ve been working on improving security in C++ for many years,» says Stroustrup.

He called for an evolutionary approach—modernizing C++ code to make it safer with tests and tools—rather than a revolution that throws C++ out the window. Google supported this position, acknowledging that legacy C and C++ will be around for many years to come and need to be managed.

If the initiatives of the creator of C++ are implemented, C++ will be able to remain a competitive language. Otherwise, companies may continue to switch to other languages, which will reduce the role of C++ in software development.