Avoiding its complexity does not mean avoiding it. E.g. you could avoid template metaprogramming due to its complexity whilst keeping to simpler areas of the la

Avoiding its complexity does not mean avoiding it. E.g. you could avoid template metaprogramming due to its complexity whilst keeping to simpler areas of the language. C++ is a large, multi-paradigm language. It gives you choices and one is free to abuse those choices. But having more options gives you more power to express. I think with modern C++ style, boost and C++11 its "difficult-to-work-with" reputation is massively overstated. It is possible to write succinct code with good design and get massive performance benefits.