C++ is an extension of the C programming language that allows cross-platform developments and capabilities.
Programming languages are the foundation of all digital technology we see today. There is a huge variety of different languages intended to allow developers to create numerous applications and protocols.
C++ is one of the most popular programming languages today. Created by Bjarne Stroustrup in 1985 as a simple extension of the C programming language, C++ has evolved to become a widely adopted tool for developers.
C++ is intended to carry out software infrastructure development and bring increased performance speeds, flexibility, and efficiency to software developments. The programming language is predominantly utilized in desktop applications, video games, and the management and creation of web search tools and databases. Nowadays, C++ is also heavily used in the creation of blockchains.
Blockchain developers benefit from the rigid structure of the C++ language and use it to create the core functionalities of blockchain protocols. Unfortunately, as a rather old programming language, C++ is one of the hardest to master. While C++ provides a tried and tested tool in a developers’ toolbox, programming enthusiasts who are just starting out might find it hard initially. C++ was developed more than thirty years ago, which means that the syntax and strictly type-based language structure are rather outdated. Some functionalities supported by more modern languages are not supported in C++.
Even so, C++ is one of the most important programming languages in the crypto world. As an object-oriented language, C++ allows developers to benefit from increased efficiency and flexibility in their code. The project that started it all, Bitcoin, is predominantly written in C++. Other prominent blockchain projects written in C++ include EOS and Stellar. Of course, creating a cryptocurrency and the underlying blockchain requires the use of more than C++, and developers also turn to popular languages like JavaScript, Python, Solidity, and Go.
Today, more than four million developers globally can code in C++, which only proves how difficult the language is to master. However, C++ capability to handle intensive tasks and carry them out swiftly has made it a go-to choice for blockchain developers. Without C++, we would not have been able to benefit from the introduction of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in general. Blockchain developers are constantly on the lookout for innovation, but C++ remains one of the most widely used languages to date.
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