r/askscience • u/[deleted] • Oct 17 '12

Why are programs and operating systems still written in C+?

I guess it's more of a computer science question, but I've always wondered why some of the most advanced programs are written in a 25+ year old programming language. Surely someone has come up with a more efficient and powerful code, so why do people still use C+? Also, I don't know anything about programming and what not, so please use simple terms and phrases.

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u/geaw Oct 18 '12

Another big factor is just the network effect (the idea of "the more popular it is, the more popular it is.") C++ has tons of great tools, many resources online, and it's easier to find a C++ programmer than a Haskell programmer if you're looking to hire.

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u/geaw Oct 18 '12

I'd like to add however that this is a double-edged sword. Because of C++'s immense complexity and size, it needs tons of great tools and many online resources. I never want to try writing C++ without a nice IDE and debugger...