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Ask HN: I know a few high-level languages. Is it still worth learning C++?

• T-A 10y ago
  C/C++ is still the tool of choice when you need to eke out max performance from the available hardware. That could be because the hardware is weak (maybe an embedded system) or because you need real time performance (game engines come to mind) or because you need to perform very large calculations (e.g. train neural networks, simulate fluid dynamics). When the going gets tough, the tough reach for their C/C++ compilers. :)
• Rannath 10y ago
  c/c++ adds to the market value of a dev iff that dev needs it for their job. Same story with every other language. Javascript won't help you get a ruby job for instance. You might consider learning C & assembly, because they'll give you a greater appreciation for what your computer is doing closer to the metal. You don't have to be good, but learning to do at least basic stuff can help you be better with other languages.
  • zer00eyz 10y ago
    Everything you have said here is correct but I would like to add one thing. Someone who writes a higher level language (like python, php or ruby) and can understand the internals (written in C not C++) can at times have a distinct advantage. Not only are you able to/capable of understanding what is going on at a deeper level you now have the ability to optimize things in a way that would not normally be possible. On the PHP side I have used C to do some low level optimization that would not have been possible otherwise, and a long time ago simply get some features to work properly.
• informatimago 10y ago
  I concur with Rannath, if you don't have a C++ job, or you don't want to contribute to some C++ free software, my advice would be to learn C.
  • Rannath 10y ago
    Also: C/C++ is the king if you want to make games, then C# (thanks to unity). Don't use java for games. Unless it's an android game, even then use the native API if you can.
• DeSpot 10y ago
  It depends, if you are interested in writing high performance code, than yes. If you are interested for example in writing your own servers or database code or modifying existing implementation C++ could be handy.
• tedmiston 10y ago
  It's hard to answer this question without knowing what it is you are doing or want to do. Python + C++ can be a good combo in the computer vision, pattern recognition, machine learning, etc spaces. But for say a normal web app developer, C++ doesn't add much. I haven't written any C++ since school.
• itamarst 10y ago
  C++ is fundamentally different insofar as it has no garbage collection. Which means it's different enough that learning it will be educational (e.g. it means different forms of resource cleanup are possible: https://codewithoutrules.com/2016/03/10/compare-contrast/ https://codewithoutrules.com/2016/03/10/compare-contrast/). On the other hand, it's also a massive language, and modern C++ is very different than the legacy code bases you'll encounter in the real world. So it's a large time commitment to learn it well enough to code well in anger. If you have the time try skimming a tutorial, and doing some exercises, enough that you can get the differences in mindset. But it's probably not the most efficient way to increase earnings, if that's all you care about.
• kahrkunne 10y ago
  It's always worth it to learn more languages. Every developer should learn C imho (it's a very widely used, influential language and it's pretty small). Seeing how C++ is essentially a superset of C, you might as well check it out after you learn C. Also, don't focus on your "market value", focus on becoming a better developer. You're a craftsman, not a piece of merchandise - have some pride in your craft. (not meaning to say you don't, I just liked the sound of that)
• devnonymous 10y ago
  If you don't know C, I would recommend to invest time in learning that first. Learning C++ would certainly not be a waste of time. However, if you want to be efficient about the use of your learning time, choose the technology/languages that would come in handy for what you would like to do next. C++ is seeing a revival of sorts due to IoT/Automotive/Fintech software etc. So from a career perspective it would be a good investment of time (if, for instance, you are inclined to work in those fields). However, keep in mind what is being called Modern C++ (c++11 and later) is a completely different beast than C++ which is uttered in the C/C++ sense. My prediction is that the reality of C++ in the near future would be a mishmash of old and new C++ ...and it would go the Java way -- heavily adopted but a lot of bad code written by confused practitioners.
  • shanwang 10y ago
    Your prediction is very true, especially in the Finance/Auto/Embedded industry, while oftenly the work horse C++ code were written 10 years ago using old C++, you write modern C++ code around them.
• wayn3 10y ago
  I'd rather learn C.