C++11 - Changes From The Previous Version of The Standard

Changes From The Previous Version of The Standard

The modifications for C++ involve both the core language and the standard library.

In the development of every utility of the 2011 standard, the committee has applied some directives:

• Maintain stability and compatibility with C++98 and possibly with C;
• Prefer introduction of new features through the standard library, rather than extending the core language;
• Prefer changes that can evolve programming technique;
• Improve C++ to facilitate systems and library design, rather than to introduce new features useful only to specific applications;
• Increase type safety by providing safer alternatives to earlier unsafe techniques;
• Increase performance and the ability to work directly with hardware;
• Provide proper solutions for real-world problems;
• Implement “zero-overhead” principle (additional support required by some utilities must be used only if the utility is used);
• Make C++ easy to teach and to learn without removing any utility needed by expert programmers.

Attention to beginners is considered important, because they will always compose the majority of computer programmers, and because many beginners would not intend to extend their knowledge of C++, limiting themselves to operate in the aspects of the language in which they are specialized.