Abstract - Evolving a Programming Language: Why and how?

The world changes, our problems change, our computer systems change, even the language we speak and write changes. Similarly and consequently, the programming languages we use to build our systems change. This talk describes the evolution of C++ from C to ISO Standard C++ with an emphasis on the programming problems addressed, the principles guiding the language evolution, and the practical constraints on that evolution. Change is necessary and constant. Then, how do we preserve the continuity necessary to build and maintain systems with extended lifespans?

Biography

Born in Aarhus Denmark 1950.
C and Scient. (Mathematics and Computer Science), 1975, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
Ph.D. (Computer Science) 1979, Cambridge University, England.

Bjarne Stroustrup is the designer and original implementor of C++ and the author of "The C++ Programming Language" 1st edition 1985, 2nd edition 1991, 3rd edition 1997) and The Design and Evolution of C++. His research interests include distributed systems, operating systems, simulation, design, and programming.

Dr. Stroustrup is the head of AT&T Lab's Large-scale Programming Research department, an AT&T Bell Laboratories Fellow, and an AT&T Fellow. He is actively involved in the ANSI/ISO standardization of C++. Recipient of the 1993 ACM Grace Murray Hopper award. ACM fellow.