WHY RUST CANNOT REPLACE C++, BUT QUITE THE CONTRARY
2 min readJan 22, 2024
The evolution of C++ in its recent standards (C++11 and later) has significantly closed the gap in safety and ease of use, which are hallmark-strengths of Rust. Features like smart pointers, move semantics, and improved RAII (Resource Acquisition Is Initialization) for concurrency have made C++ not only more robust but also easier and safer to use.
Modern C++ Features Reducing Cognitive Burden
- Smart Pointers
Smart pointers (std::unique_ptr, std::shared_ptr along with utility functions like std::make_shared ) automate memory management, significantly reducing the risk of memory leaks and dangling pointers. - Generic Templates
Modern C++’s advanced template features, including template metaprogramming, allow for more expressive and reusable code, reducing redundancy. - RAII for Concurrency
C++ has enhanced its concurrency toolkit with RAII-based mechanisms (like std::lock_guard and std::unique_lock), simplifying resource management in multithreaded environments. - Lambda Expressions and Auto Keyword
Features like lambda expressions and the auto keyword make C++ code more concise and readable, reducing cognitive load.
