C++: how this language impacts our daily lives

20. Dezember 2024

The C programming language was created in 1970 to simplify the development of operating systems like UNIX. Its low-level nature allowed for better memory management than other languages of its time. Even today, C is widely used in building operating and embedded systems.

About a decade later, the C++ programming language was developed to leverage the advantages of C- such as speed and memory management control - while introducing new concepts like object-oriented programming and support for building complex data structures. C++ is backwards-compatible with C, meaning programs written in C can be compiled in C++ with minimal modifications.

Originally called "C with classes," the language was officially renamed C++ in 1983. The “++” operator in C, which increments the value of a numeric variable, symbolizes the “increment” of the language. The great flexibility and speed with which C++ enables software development make it one of the most widely used languages in various programming fields, including the development of other languages like Java, JavaScript, Kotlin, Objective-C, Perl, PHP, Python, R, Ruby, Rust, and Scala, among others.

C++ in programs and applications we use daily

Internet browsers

Almost all Internet browsers use C++ in many of their components. Examples include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Apple Safari, and Opera, along with various engines associated with JavaScript, all developed using this language. C++ enables these browsers to process information quickly and efficiently, ensuring a smooth browsing experience.

Operating Systems

The C++ language is also present in popular operating systems. Microsoft Windows, Windows Embedded, Apple’s macOS, iOS, and even Android (initially written in Java) use C++ in their high-performance components. The language's flexibility and control over hardware resources make it ideal for developing robust and efficient operating systems.

Productivity Applications

Many productivity tools we use daily are also developed in C++, such as:

• - Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• - Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, etc.)
• - AutoCAD
• - Mozilla Thunderbird (email)
• - Microsoft Visual Studio
• - WinRAR
• - 7-Zip
• - Notepad++
• - MySQL
• - MongoDB
• - VMWare
• - VirtualBox

These applications require high performance and reliability, and C++ is essential to ensure their efficiency.

The role of C++ in digital entertainment

Game development

C++ is the primary choice for developing "AAA" games due to its high performance and precise memory control. Game engines like Unreal Engine and Cry Engine use C++ for complex graphics and physics calculations, essential for creating immersive, high-quality gaming experiences.

Streaming platforms

Streaming platforms require high processing power and video encoding/decoding speed. Companies like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Facebook Live, Hulu, Netflix, Spotify, Twitch, Vimeo, and YouTube use C++ in their critical components to ensure a smooth, high-quality data flow.

Visual effects and cinema

C++ is also a key language in the film industry, especially for special effects production. The same precision needed in high-performance games is used to create sophisticated visual effects and film editing, especially since the digitization of image and sound capture.

Automation and innovation: C++ in smart devices

Autonomous vehicles

Autonomous vehicles rely on real-time processing of large data volumes, making C++ essential. Subsystems that use C++ include:

• - Real-time sensor data processing
• - Object detection and recognition
• - Control systems
• - Localization and mapping
• - Route planning and calculation
• - Decision making

The high performance required to ensure the safety and effectiveness of autonomous vehicles is largely achieved through C++.

Smart homes, virtual assistants and IoT devices

With the growing popularity of the Internet of Things (IoT), the need to process large amounts of data quickly is greater than ever. C++ is used in many connected devices, such as lighting systems, home appliances, and security cameras, to ensure efficient integration and control through smartphones or virtual assistants.

Robotics

Robot programming, from early industrial models for cutting and welding to advanced robots like Boston Dynamics’ Spot, also relies on C++. The language is crucial for controlling navigation systems and real-time task execution from data captured by multiple sensors.

C++ in health and science

Medical equipment

In medicine, using fast, reliable diagnostic and treatment equipment is critical. C++ is applied in components for:

• - Medical practice simulation and training
• - Augmented reality for diagnostics and surgery
• - Hospital management
• - Therapeutic devices (pacemakers, insulin pumps)
• - Laboratory and diagnostic equipment (DNA sequencers, blood analysis)
• - Robotic surgery
• - Imaging (MRI, CT scans, ultrasounds, X-rays)
• - AI diagnostic systems

Scientific Simulations

Simulations of complex systems require large amounts of data and significant processing power. C++ is used to create simulators in a variety of fields:

• - Weather and climate forecasting
• - Physical systems (fluid dynamics, astrophysics, astronomy)
• - Computational chemistry (chemical reactions, compound interaction, molecular simulation)
• - Genetics (DNA analysis, protein structure prediction, genetic mapping)
• - Quantum computing (algorithms, cryptography)

The language ensures that these systems are accurate and fast enough for real-time simulations.

Space technology

In space exploration, C++ plays a vital role, from flight control to real-time processing of scientific data. Examples of use include:

• - ExoMars (ESA rover for Mars exploration)
• - NASA Mars rovers (autonomous driving, image processing and data acquisition)
• - Satellite software (communications, flight control)
• - SpaceX (rocket and spacecraft control)

Artificial intelligence

Although a somewhat broad concept, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly present in our daily lives, as some systems have shown the ability to respond (in writing) to questions asked in natural language.

Although AI as a field originated in the 1940s and 1950s, it’s only recently that technology has evolved enough to build systems displaying a human-like level of intelligence.

C++ continues to be one of the most widely used languages, especially in areas such as pattern recognition and artificial neural networks, where processing speed and efficient memory management are essential. AI is used in various industries, from automation and healthcare to big data analysis.