C++

since 1983 (earliest usage recorded on this site was 1984)

C++ is a statically typed, free-form, multi-paradigm, compiled, general-purpose programming language. It is regarded as a middle-level language, as it comprises a combination of both high-level and low-level language features. It was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup starting in 1979 at Bell Labs as an enhancement to the C programming language and originally named "C with Classes". It was renamed C++ in 1983.
As one of the most popular programming languages ever created, C++ is widely used in the software industry. Some of its application domains include systems software, application software, device drivers, embedded software, high-performance server and client applications, and entertainment software such as video games.

more info

Users

Technology Timeline Graph

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

yacitus

lawley

boutell

brucehoult

coordt

avowkind

danceswithvowels

adamv

jtauber

kan

growe

bittercoder

Cema

jancona

sceptreofjudah

tlesher

notanumber

jorjun

jeffself

RCARDENES

David

Uche

skyl

bmaxwell

fdrake

mrtrosen

tartley

dfan

ironfort

thumper

takitimu

jbeigel

Josh

empty

wilane

brousch

dabeaz

ericflo

thraxil

givas

sarahewelch

mpirnat

greyfade

sbastn

carljm

binarydud

jefftriplett

otherchirps

edd

jdunck

undoingemptyvoid

johnny723

k_wade_a

reed

bg4

davidpaccoud

barneyboo

paltman

nsmgr8

zellyn

drakkos

kcunning

fogus

bkmontgomery

Zak

shiny

robhudson

randombit

audreyr

rogerclark

bcowcher

sanchom

lambacck

iamteem

ntoll

alecperkins

sbaydoun

anoop

ch0llima

joalcorn

rizumu

CerealBoy

madewulf

z3d

leveille

Sitwon

smalltobi

noah

ghoseb

AndyC

rragan

james

jmillikin

passy

nnrcschmdt

cstejerean

jasonb

floyd

sjaekel

durden

westonruter

CrociDB

luchak

Vector

dublindan

Swizec

thaostra

natevw

quakehead

mwalling

brosner

bkokash

vrejohanian

collypops

eculver

karlstolley

ellisonleao

dan

Raisapius

jkocherhans

Kami

myles

NX172

rilt

brettsky

gabrielrios

mallipeddi

sdhamilton

d3f3nd3r

bkopanja

dmnd

cagedmantis

andyrak

amackera

timus

beshrkayali

qwertymz

GordyBrow

nullomodo

Kanru

chrisbrett665

bibhas

dekz

kratorius

Indy

perimosocordiae

threefjefff

mccolgan

alex

b3ng0

edv4rd0

MichaelTran

CaptainSay

krisse2

alexsuraci

janewilson90

Rgoodermote

devien

adambrenecki

nightfly19

MechanisM

yacitus - 29 years

lawley - 27 years

dl - 12 years

boutell - 12 years

brucehoult - 25 years

coordt - 14 years

avowkind - 25 years

danceswithvowels - 23 years

adamv - 23 years

jtauber - 3 years

kan - 18 years

growe - 23 years

bittercoder - 13 years

Cema - 22 years

jancona - 22 years

sceptreofjudah - 22 years

tlesher - 22 years

notanumber - 21 years

jorjun - 1 years

jeffself - 1 years

RCARDENES - 21 years

David - 21 years

Uche - 8 years

skyl - 1 years

bmaxwell - 20 years

fdrake - 3 years

mrtrosen - 20 years

tartley - 9 years

dfan - 19 years

ironfort - 19 years

thumper - 19 years

takitimu - 13 years

jbeigel - 18 years

Josh - 18 years

empty - 11 years

wilane - 18 years

brousch - 3 years

dabeaz - 17 years

ericflo - 17 years

thraxil - 17 years

givas - 17 years

sarahewelch - 7 years

mpirnat - 5 years

greyfade - 17 years

sbastn - 3 years

carljm - 7 years

binarydud - 5 years

jefftriplett - 6 years

otherchirps - 9 years

edd - 16 years

jdunck - 4 years

undoingemptyvoid - 8 years

johnny723 - 1 years

k_wade_a - 16 years

reed - 2 years

bg4 - 16 years

davidpaccoud - 16 years

barneyboo - 15 years

paltman - 2 years

nsmgr8 - 15 years

zellyn - 1 years

drakkos - 15 years

kcunning - 5 years

fogus - 5 years

bkmontgomery - 15 years

Zak - 2 years

shiny - 15 years

robhudson - 15 years

randombit - 13 years

audreyr - 15 years

rogerclark - 15 years

bcowcher - 8 years

sanchom - 14 years

lambacck - 8 years

iamteem - 9 years

ntoll - 4 years

alecperkins - 2 years

sbaydoun - 2 years

anoop - 11 years

ch0llima - 13 years

joalcorn - 6 years

rizumu - 3 years

CerealBoy - 7 years

madewulf - 12 years

z3d - 3 years

leveille - 6 years

Sitwon - 12 years

smalltobi - 12 years

noah - 12 years

ghoseb - 2 years

AndyC - 11 years

rragan - 2 years

james - 11 years

jmillikin - 11 years

passy - 11 years

nnrcschmdt - 1 years

cstejerean - 3 years

jasonb - 1 years

floyd - 3 years

sjaekel - 5 years

durden - 4 years

westonruter - 4 years

CrociDB - 10 years

luchak - 10 years

Vector - 3 years

dublindan - 10 years

Swizec - 10 years

thaostra - 10 years

gg - 2 years

natevw - 10 years

quakehead - 10 years

mwalling - 9 years

brosner - 9 years

bkokash - 5 years

vrejohanian - 3 years

collypops - 6 years

eculver - 5 years

karlstolley - 9 years

ellisonleao - 9 years

dan - 9 years

Raisapius - 8 years

jkocherhans - 2 years

Kami - 8 years

myles - 2 years

NX172 - 8 years

rilt - 3 years

brettsky - 1 years

gabrielrios - 7 years

mallipeddi - 1 years

sdhamilton - 7 years

d3f3nd3r - 7 years

bkopanja - 5 years

dmnd - 7 years

cagedmantis - 7 years

andyrak - 7 years

amackera - 7 years

timus - 7 years

beshrkayali - 2 years

qwertymz - 2 years

GordyBrow - 7 years

nullomodo - 6 years

Kanru - 6 years

chrisbrett665 - 6 years

bibhas - 6 years

dekz - 5 years

kratorius - 5 years

Indy - 5 years

perimosocordiae - 5 years

threefjefff - 5 years

mccolgan - 5 years

alex - 5 years

b3ng0 - 5 years

edv4rd0 - 4 years

MichaelTran - 4 years

CaptainSay - 4 years

krisse2 - 4 years

alexsuraci - 1 years

janewilson90 - 4 years

Rgoodermote - 4 years

devien - 4 years

adambrenecki - 1 years

nightfly19 - 3 years

MechanisM - 3 years

yacitus

1984–

I first started playing with C++ when I read Bjarne Stroustrup's paper on it and start playing with Cfront in (I think) 1984. I've used it off-and-on ever since, but always with distaste.

lawley

1986–

1987–1998

started using with the CFront translator, later developed (one of) the first 32-bit C++ development environments -- for Windows 3.0, a 16-bit OS.

brucehoult

1988–

I'd been following the language and CFront development on BIX for several years, and was very excited by the language. I bought Zortech C++ as soon as it came out. In 1989 Apple released their CFront port and I switched from Pascal for all my work. By late 1992 I was already becoming frustrated with the limitations and learned about Apple's new "Dylan" language.

boutell

1988–1999

I gather templates actually work now. That's nice. I've moved on.

avowkind

1988–

Moved to this from Smalltalk for a traffic simulation and then used it for the next 20 years.

coordt

1988–2001

jtauber

1990–1992

Learnt C++ after someone in the industry told me you couldn't get a job coding Pascal.

danceswithvowels

1990–

Took a class. Wanted to grok the STL, etc. Reverted to C to get work done.

growe

1990–

My first foray into OO programming was with C++, and it gave rise to my first book on programming. Have taught it for many, many years and although it is demanding of the programmer, especially with regards to memory management, it is an excellent language in which to learn how computer programs really work.

kan

1990–2007

adamv

1990–

Cema

1991–

Mostly used in the 1990s.

jancona

1991–

My biggest C++ project was probably a toy operating system written for CS 502 while working on my Masters at WPI. This was in Turbo C++ on a PC/AT clone. I interviewed for a C++ programming job in 2004, but I didn't get it, thank heavens!

bittercoder

1991–2003

Started teaching myself C++ when I was 11, mostly from the Turbo C++ manual (which was actually quite a good introduction in OOP). Continuted to use it until around 2003, where I finally shifted across to writing only managed code (or working with dynamic languages etc.)

sceptreofjudah

1991–

tlesher

1991–

It puts bread in my jar.

jorjun

1992

I gave it a whole year of my time, and some serious study, had great results with some simple animation on a PowerPC Mac -wow the speed. But juggling with knives was not my idea of fun. People who code in this language should be paid danger money for their mental health.

David

1992–

notanumber

1992–

RCARDENES

1992–

When I got my first *decent* C manual, it also covered C++, so I put it under my belt on the way... It wasn't until another 10 years that I got a copy of Stroupstrup's book on the language that I started to make a decent use of it.

jeffself

1992

Does class count? Because thats the only time I've used C++.

Uche

1992–1999

mrtrosen

1993–

my first programming language, I was a major c++ zealot until I learned python. Used extensively in mobile robotics where speed matters

skyl

1993

Helped my uncle with a secret government project when I was a little kid. I could tell you more but, well... you know...

bmaxwell

1993–

fdrake

1993–1995

Used this for school and one job; don't recall seeing it since!

takitimu

1994–2006

Useful, though prefer Java as an object oriented language.

thumper

1994–

C++ was the language of my first real job. I still like it, but you can shoot yourself in the foot quite easily.

ironfort

1994–

dfan

1994–

The primary programming language I've used at my job (writing video games) since 1996.

tartley

1994–2002

empty

1995–2005

A great language but also chaotic at times. Very proud of my Bjarne Stroustrup signed copy of The Design and Evolution of C++. Highly recommended book.

wilane

1995–

o-Roots

jbeigel

1995–

Josh

1995–

carljm

1996–2002

Ah, Borland Turbo C++. For a while, I thought this was the language "real programs" should be written in. So I tried a lot of personal projects in it before and during college, and they were mostly painful. Not much use for it nowadays.

sbastn

1996–1998

My professor gave me a 10 on this one! Once I understood that I could have arrays of pointers inside arrays of pointers, it was a switch in my learning. Got me hooked into programming.

ericflo

1996–

dabeaz

1996–

Wrote the Swig project in C++ and implemented most of Swig's C++ parsing support. I try to avoid C++ as much as possible now.

greyfade

1996–

Still use it, and, I dare say, love it.

givas

1996–

sarahewelch

1996–2002

brousch

1996–1998

Only used it in CS classes at the University of Michigan

thraxil

1996–

mpirnat

1996–2000

Glad I don't do this any more.

jefftriplett

1997–2002

The language I always wanted to learn more in depth then time or resources permitted. I used C++ mainly to write video games and a few bot related projects.

edd

1997–

Learned by writing an XML parser in Visual C++. Never really enjoyed or wanted to revisit though

davidpaccoud

1997–

Planed to use it on several real world projects and always found a better solution. I digged lot of C++ ressources though.

otherchirps

1997–2005

undoingemptyvoid

1997–2004

Self taught for new PC based project at work. Eventually read 2/3 of the ARM - nice reference. Used for parser code, service code, supporting Borland's crappy Smalltalk based collections. Used for all kinds of CAD elements and functions.

k_wade_a

1997–

bg4

1997–

Mostly university work and maintaining legacy applications.

johnny723

1997

One course in computer science, then also one time helping another friend's project but that's about it.

reed

1997–1998

Found Perl to better meet my needs

jdunck

1997–2000

My first exposure to object-oriented programming (at UTD) was with C++. I hated the language. It was so complicated compared to beautiful little C! The benefits of OOP were lost in me for a few years.

binarydud

1997–2001

nsmgr8

1998–

It has quirks. Most of the time developers write unreadable, brain-hurting code in it. But it is one of my favourite. Boost, Poco, Qt are the best.

paltman

1998–1999

zellyn

1998

One or two classes in college. I would not trust myself to use it for real without reading two or three specific books.

drakkos

1998–

Learned in University, and also one of the languages I teach. I hate it though, it's a terrible hell language.

kcunning

1998–2002

fogus

1998–2002

barneyboo

1998–

Ok, so my only experience in 1998 was getting a booklet about using Borland C++ with PC Plus which I found totally undecipherable (aged 10). When I finally got round to learning it 10 years later, fell in love. It's just...yeah.

bkmontgomery

1998–

Zak

1998–1999

CS101 or some such used C++. I've never seen the appeal.

shiny

1998–

by the time i got to university, C++ and OO was all the rage. Also for palm pilots, and winCE

robhudson

1998–

Did quite a bit in C++ in both college courses and some small work-related tasks.

1998–2010

1998–

1998–

1999–2006

1999–2006

My first programming language. I bought a book on the language shortly after i bought my first computer and started my journey in IT. I havent done any work in it commercially and I havent used it since finishing college.

sanchom

1999–

Tried to learn this in 21 days. I failed, but wrote my first Hello World program in C++. I'm a huge fan of the boost library. Andrei Alexandrescu has the best book on template metaprogramming. My favourite C++ project was a base station for a UAV. I use it now to code the most speed critical sections of my code, which I often expose to Python using BoostPython.

iamteem

1999–2007

On and off with C++. Since it's the language we're taught at the university, I made myself a living out of it -- I worked on printer drivers and Windows apps. Hoping to re-learn and use it again soon.

ntoll

2000–2003

Learned it (and C) during evening classes while I was still a music teacher. Used it extensively during my MSc. Never had need of it since.

alecperkins

2000–2001

ch0llima

2000–

Similar story as to mine with C. Again, lost interest for the same reasons but have increased confidence with it these days having used it recently. Doesn't stop it from being highly dangerous and hideously complicated though :D

sbaydoun

2000–2001

The one that introduced me to the low level programming languages concepts and difficulties.

anoop

2000–2010

madewulf

2001–

I taught it for 7 years, even if we used it more as C with classes. The workhorse of my current company.

rizumu

2001–2003

Took two semesters of C++, I didn't really enjoy the projects much, so I wasn't inspired.

CerealBoy

2001–2007

Sitwon

2001–

Started taking Computer Science classes in high school.

smalltobi

2001–

See my comment on C

noah

2001–

leveille

2001–2006

I taught C++ for 5 years at the High School level.

z3d

2001–2003

joalcorn

2001–2006

westonruter

2002–2005

For my CS program at Seattle Pacific University.

AndyC

2002–

I came late to C++, after Java in fact. I only used it because it's the only language you can realistically program DXi and VSTi sound generators and processors.

2002–2003

2002–2006

2002

2002–

The first language I ever learned in school; it's a language uniquely suited for frustrating and infuriating programmers of all skill levels. Too designed for its own good.

2002–2003

2002–

2002–

2002–2004

2002

2002–2004

2002–2005

2003–

Had a few false starts, but Object Oriented (and graphical interface) programming clicked for me while learning FLTK in C++. Learned the ups and downs of its templates and latched onto RAII principles in later years. Still considering it for some map geometry code.

CrociDB

2003–

I'll never end using it.

2003–

2003–

2003–

2003–

2003–2005

Main programming language that I used throughout college. Great language!

thaostra

2003–

Chose a book on C++ because of a new interest in making games. However, the book I read was very poorly written, so I wasn't able to make anything more than trivial programs. Should have learned C first though..

2003–2004

When I must.

collypops

2004–2009

Used at University while learning OOP. Strangely, we used this AFTER using Java.

dan

2004–

brosner

2004–

Learned C++ taking college classes during senior year of high school. Mostly did school assignments with it. Most notable was the final class project which was a simulation of Monopoly. Would love to dig that up again.

bkokash

2004–2008

Only for my university projects

vrejohanian

2004–2006

mmm... it's lame if i'm gonna compare it to JAVA!

eculver

2004–2008

for school :P

2004–

2004–

2004–

2005–

2005–2007

Mostly just school projects, first language I learned. Wouldn't mind picking up a project in this language again.

brettsky

2005

Learned for my first Google internship.

jkocherhans

2005–2006

myles

2005–2006

Raisapius

2005–

Tried to learn this during my first year. However, because I couldn't find anything to do with it just yet, I didn't start working with it until three years later.

NX172

2005–

qwertymz

2006–2007

Uni for OOP. Weird language.

GordyBrow

2006–

I wrote my honours project in C++. C++ really helped to broaden my understanding of a number of the important principles of programming.

sdhamilton

2006–

More comfortable than C with me.

gabrielrios

2006–

When you learn C, and like to dig stuff, eventually you find C++ and find some love into it

dmnd

2006–

amackera

2006–

Learned a bit for a Data Structures and Algorithms course in university. Working on browser development these days.

beshrkayali

2006–2007

Didn't learn it per say... but used it in a project that never saw the light ;)

2006–2010

2006–

2006–

2006

Learnt C++ to do a school assignment. Never programmed in C++ after that.

2006–

2006–

2007–

2007–

2007–

One of the languages of choice at my college. Haven't had much real world experience with it though.

Kanru

2007–

kratorius

2008–

mccolgan

2008–

Only used for data structures class

alex

2008–

threefjefff

2008–

I love pointers. There, I said it.

2008–

2008–

2008–

2008–

Learned it through a university lesson. I wasn't fond of its somewhat bloated syntax and mixture of memory management with OOP. But still, it is one of the most used programming languages out there.

janewilson90

2009–

Evil hell language taught at University. system.out.print ("can die in a fire");

devien

2009–

awesome language. difficult, yes, but still great fun. i still maintain my c++ programs were better than that of that other person.

alexsuraci

2009

Used it when writing a Haiku app.

MichaelTran

2009–

krisse2