This is just an outdated understanding of C++, unless you really need to target a VAX or something. I don't intend my programs to run on machines more than 10 y

This is just an outdated understanding of C++, unless you really need to target a VAX or something. I don't intend my programs to run on machines more than 10 years old anyway. A decade ago, the non-portability of C++ was a real concern.