C++17 Programming Language
C++14 was made better by C++17 that came out in 2017 and included several more features meant to improve its capabilities and solve some problems that programmers regularly encounter.
Key Features
1. Inline Variables
In C++17, inline specifier was added to allow variables to be defined and initialized in header files without violating One Definition Rule (ODR).
inline int x = 10;
2. Structured Bindings
With structured bindings, objects can be divided into their constituent parts so as to make application with complex structures like structs and tuples simpler.
std::tuple<int, std::string> data{42, "hello"};
auto [number, message] = data;
3. constexpr if Statements
Additionally, there are constexpr if statements which introduce conditional execution during compile time based on template parameters and other compile-time constants which is another feature introduced by C++17.
template<typename T>
void printSize(T value) {
if constexpr (sizeof(T) <= 4) {
std::cout << "Size is less than or equal to 4 bytes\n";
} else {
std::cout << "Size is greater than 4 bytes\n";
}
}
4. Fold Expressions
Fold expressions provide an elegant syntax for combining a pack of variadic template arguments together with a binary operator.
template<typename... Args>
auto sum(Args... args) {
return (args + ...);
}
These changes were part of a bigger effort to modernize C++, among other things so as to improve productivity of developers even further.
The Key Differences Between C++14, C++17, and C++20
This language has come a long way and overcome numerous challenges in software engineering, for example, those stemming from its changing nature; thus reasserting its resilience and flexibility. Stroustrup originally developed C++ as an extension of C programming language during the late 1970s to ensure efficiency and low-level control while being more abstract.
These functions have introduced new features, improved performance, and optimizations in various iterations. Such iterations are necessary to keep abreast with the times and tackle emerging requirements and issues regarding contemporary software development