C++26: A New Era for Modern C++

After 22 years of working in the Microsoft Visual C++ compiler team, Herb Sutter, Chair of the ISO C++ Standards Committee, announced his departure from Microsoft and joined Citadel Securities as a technical researcher. Despite this transition, his commitment to C++ remains unwavering as he continues his role as Chair of both the ISO C++ standards committee and the Standard C++ Foundation.

The Significance of C++26

Sutter emphasizes that 2024 marks a crucial year for C++. The ISO committee has, for the first time, adopted (or will soon adopt) a C++ standard draft targeting two major improvements:

• Reflection
• Security

"I once said in my speech at CppCon that the next decade of C++ will be dominated by improvements focused on 'reflection' and 'security,' and C++26 is indeed expected to become the most influential version since the beginning of the new era with C++11."

The Evolution from C++11

According to Bjarne Stroustrup, the creator of C++, C++11 transformed C++ into a modern programming language by introducing:

• auto and lambda expressions
• Standard secure smart pointers
• Range-for and move semantics
• constexpr for compile-time code execution

Since 2011, the language has evolved through C++14/17/20/23, but C++11 remained the defining moment for modern C++.

C++26 Development Schedule

C++ versions follow a 3-year cycle, with version numbers reflecting their release years. Last June, Sutter announced the comprehensive schedule for C++26.

Security Concerns and Industry Response

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and FBI have recently highlighted concerns about memory-unsafe languages like C/C++. Their "Product Security Bad Practices" guide emphasizes:

Key Security Requirements

1. Memory safety roadmap required by January 1, 2026
2. Priority focus on network-oriented code and sensitive operations
3. Systematic prevention of memory security vulnerabilities
4. Demonstration of significant vulnerability reduction

Security Features Focus

The new standard emphasizes:

• Default security measures
• First-class support for reflection-based compile-time libraries
• Enhanced memory safety features

Looking Forward

C++26 represents more than just another iteration of the language. It marks a fundamental shift towards:

• Enhanced security by default
• More powerful metaprogramming through reflection
• Better development experience while maintaining performance

This release promises to be as transformative as C++11 was in its time, setting the stage for the next decade of C++ development.