Episode 161: š EOP, Rust, Hylo, C++20/23/26/29 & More with Zach Laine (Holiday Special #4)
Dec 22, 2023
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Guest Zach Laine, C++ expert, joins the hosts to discuss Rust, Hylo, and C++ languages. They talk about the problems with C++ code, the growth of the podcast, balancing theory and practicality in programming books, iterators and pointers, flaws in the C++ evolution process, and diagnostic messages for using concepts. They also have fun conversations about screen sharing, Hanukkah bush, and personal stories, as well as discussing burnout, contributing to Unicode, and location plans.
The inclusion of reflection in C++26 is a major milestone that will bring powerful capabilities to the language, opening new possibilities for libraries, frameworks, and tools.
Efforts to streamline decision-making, enhance collaboration, and provide clearer guidelines could make the C++ evolution process more efficient and inclusive.
Balancing the commitment to maintaining backwards compatibility with the introduction of new features is a delicate task that requires careful evaluation and consideration of trade-offs.
Active participation in code and design reviews, along with being open to feedback and willing to learn from others, contributes to the overall success of projects and helps improve the quality of code and design.
Deep dives
Reflection in C++26
Reflection looks likely to happen in C++26, which is a major milestone for the language. It has been a long-awaited feature that will bring powerful capabilities to the C++ ecosystem. Reflection allows programmers to inspect and manipulate code structures at runtime, enabling dynamic behaviors and advanced metaprogramming techniques. This feature has been eagerly anticipated by the community and will open new possibilities for libraries, frameworks, and tools. While the process of incorporating reflection into C++ has faced challenges, its inclusion in the upcoming standard is a testament to the perseverance and dedication of the C++ community.
Improving the Evolution Process
The slow pace of the C++ evolution process has faced criticism and raised concerns about its sustainability and effectiveness. The current process, which lacks a well-defined structure and suffers from limitations imposed by the ISO process, has led to delays and challenges in introducing major language features. While there have been improvements in recent years, such as better tooling and increased collaboration, there is still room for further enhancement. Efforts to streamline decision-making, enhance collaboration, and provide more clear guidelines could help address these challenges and make the evolution process more efficient and inclusive.
Addressing Backwards Compatibility
One of the factors that contributes to the slow pace of C++ evolution is the commitment to maintaining backwards compatibility. While this commitment ensures that existing code continues to work, it also restricts the extent to which breaking changes can be introduced. This conservative approach has its benefits, but it can also limit the ability to make bold and transformative changes to the language. Finding a balance between ensuring compatibility and introducing new features is a delicate task, and it requires careful evaluation and consideration of the trade-offs involved.
The Future Outlook
Despite the challenges and limitations, the C++ community remains dedicated to improving the language and pushing for advancements. The upcoming inclusion of reflection and other features in future standards reflects the ongoing commitment to progress and innovation. While there is always room for improvement, the C++ ecosystem continues to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of developers. With a passionate and engaged community, the future of C++ looks promising as it continues to grow and evolve into a modern and powerful programming language.
Importance of Good Design and Code Reviews
Good design and code reviews play a crucial role in developing high-quality software. The iterative process of designing interfaces, receiving feedback, and making improvements helps develop good taste and improve understanding. It is important to internalize feedback and learn from past mistakes to enhance design skills. Reading and analyzing library code, as well as participating in code reviews, provides exposure to different design approaches and fosters a culture of code quality and continuous improvement.
Recognizing and Adapting to Mistakes
The ability to recognize and adapt to mistakes is a valuable trait in both code reviews and committee reviews. Being open to feedback, actively seeking knowledge, and changing opinions when convinced of being wrong are signs of intellectual humility. Recognizing one's limitations and being willing to learn from others help foster a collaborative mindset and contribute to the overall success of the team or community. Iteration, experience, and exposure to different approaches help develop good taste and improve design skills.
The Impact of Thoughtful Reviews and Feedback
Active participation in code and design reviews is a force multiplier and crucial to the success of projects. Providing thoughtful feedback and actively engaging in discussions helps shape and improve the overall quality of the codebase or design. By thoughtfully reviewing the high-level design and considering various trade-offs, it becomes possible to create interfaces that are difficult to use incorrectly, adhere to established principles, and minimize surprises in usage. A collaborative and inclusive review process ensures that valuable insights and suggestions are considered, leading to continuous improvement and growth.
Zach Laine has been using C++ in industry for 15 years, focusing on data visualization, numeric computing, games, generic programming, and good library design. He finds the process of writing bio blurbs to be a little uncomfortable.
Show Notes
Date Recorded: 2023-12-18 Date Released: 2023-12-22
Miss You by Sarah Jansen https://soundcloud.com/sarahjansenmusic Creative Commons ā Attribution 3.0 Unported ā CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/l-miss-you Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/iYYxnasvfx8
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