Bjarne Stroustrup (born 1950) is a Danish computer scientist best known as the creator of C++. His work on combining object-oriented programming with systems programming efficiency has influenced software development for four decades.
Background
Stroustrup studied at Aarhus University in Denmark and earned his PhD from Cambridge. His doctoral work on distributed systems using Simula gave him appreciation for object-oriented programming, while also revealing Simula’s performance limitations.
Creating C++
At Bell Labs in 1979, Stroustrup began developing “C with Classes” to combine Simula’s organizational power with C’s efficiency. He needed a language for his distributed systems research that could handle both high-level design and low-level performance requirements.
Design Philosophy
Stroustrup’s design principles for C++ include:
- Zero-overhead abstraction: Features shouldn’t cost if you don’t use them
- Multi-paradigm: Support procedural, object-oriented, and generic programming
- Compatibility: Work with existing C code and tools
- Trust the programmer: Don’t prevent experts from doing what they need
”The Design and Evolution of C++”
Stroustrup documented C++‘s development in his 1994 book, explaining the rationale behind language decisions. The book reveals how practical engineering constraints shaped theoretical language features.
Continued Influence
Stroustrup remains active in C++ standardization and advocates for the language’s continued evolution. He emphasizes that C++ must remain relevant for systems programming while becoming safer and more accessible.