Compilation of gripping C++ conference talks from 2023

May 02 2024

Author: Uliana Khromchenko

Delivering Safe C++ — Bjarne Stroustrup
*(char*)0 = 0; - What Does the C++ Programmer Intend With This Code? — JF Bastien
How C++23 Changes the Way We Write Code — Timur Doumler
The Evolution of C++ — A Typescript for C++ — Herb Sutter
6 impossible things — Kevlin Henney
Conclusion
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A new conference season is on its way, so we'd like to invite you to read some of the best C++ talks from the last season. You can learn more about C++ and get inspired in this compilation of the most high-profile 2023 talks. Let's set off on our journey for ideas and knowledge!

Delivering Safe C++ — Bjarne Stroustrup

CppCon 2023

The presentation on GitHub

Our compilation starts with the most eagerly awaited talk on C++. The programming language creator, Bjarne Stroustrup, talks about the use and development of modern C++.

Bjarne answers three main questions:

What does "safe" mean in the context of various C++ applications?
How to guarantee safety where it's needed?
How to encourage developers to write verified safe code?

I'd also like to recommend a video featuring the father of C++ on a non-technical topic "(Life) Advice From The Creator of C++". What makes a programmer successful is not only their coding skills but also their personal growth. The video is short but very inspiring and motivating.

(char)0 = 0; - What Does the C++ Programmer Intend With This Code? — JF Bastien

C++ on Sea 2023

The whole talk is built around the following code snippet:

int main() {
  *(char*)0 = 0;
}

At first glance, it looks simple. However, the speaker manages to hold the audience's attention for an entire hour.

JF Bastien breaks down the code in detail and offers his interpretation of the code author's intents. What awaits you isn't just an analysis but a great exciting journey up and down the technology stack; an in-depth look at what such a seemingly simple program does. Enjoy diving into the depths of C++.

As a counterpoint, I encourage you to read a recent article from our team. You may often see a seemingly simple and error-free code. But we, the ambassadors of static analysis, know better than anyone else that such code can hide pitfalls. Andrey Karpov has recently written a theoretical article on this topic "Simple, yet easy-to-miss errors in code".

How C++23 Changes the Way We Write Code — Timur Doumler

CppCon 2022

This isn't a lecture on C++23 or a breakdown of its additions and enhancements. The author focuses on a few new features that noticeably change and improve the everyday experience of the C++ programmer. The talk answers the following questions:

How does std::expected improve error handling?
The huge impact that std::mdspan will have on scientific computing.
How does deducing this simplifies longstanding C++ idioms such as CRTP?
How will std::print forever change the way we write "Hello, World"?

The Evolution of C++ — A Typescript for C++ — Herb Sutter

CppNow 2023

C++23 is done. But C++ is not! In this talk, the author shares his personal perspectives on an ongoing and very active evolution of C++, updates on his cppfront experimental compiler, and why compatibility is essential to the further success of the C++ development.

6 impossible things — Kevlin Henney

Meeting C++ 2023

The talk is a kind of a philosophical discourse. In software development, we believe in the impossible all the time. The talk explores six specific impossible things that shape the limits of what we can develop, all the way from the smallest detail of integer representation to the minefield of task estimation and prioritisation, via the uncertainty of distributed systems and the limits of computability. Once we know our limits, we can work within them to create solutions rather than problems.

Since we've had more than enough impossible cases, we'd like to invite you to read about quite common patterns of typos in programming.

Conclusion

Our compilation ends here but not the captivating C++ talks. Do you know of any other great conference talks? Please share them with us in the comments =)