T HE C++ STANDARD1 IS COMING UP TO ITS

third birthday. The language itself is, of course, much older, dating back in proto-typical form over 20 years and exposed to the public eye for more than 15. The language has matured in this time, effectively evolving through three distinct languages, each supporting different styles: early C++, classic C++ and modern C++2. It’s modern C++ that embraces the standard, and vice versa. It was the move from classic to modern that set off the greatest growth in the language’s features, as well as a dip in its portability. The standard now presents a stationary and stable point for consumers and producers of C++ implementations – the regular developer, plus the writers of standard library implementations and com