Signicant Trends in C, C++, and Fortran Development
1. MultiCore Computing -> Multithreaded Development
While many environments already run well on multicore systems (e.g. consolidation via virtualization, web/app server environments, etc.), there is a category of software development that needs to utilize all the horsepower these systems provide. These applications now need to go parallel, with multithreading as the primary mechanism.
2. Compatibility Issues
At many levels, compatibility pains exist in our industry. These include - developing for both Solaris and Linux platforms, lack of stable C++ ABI/runtime in other environments, and the ease in moving from lower quality development environments to higher quality. No one likes to do unnecessary rework.
3. The importance of a good IDE
While there is a healthy contingent that will only move to an IDE, from vim/emacs, when pried from their cold, dead hands, there is a growing segment of those that want to use a modern IDE. They have become accustomed to sophisticated IDEs when developing for other languages (e.g. Java, .NET), but they have found the choices on Solaris and Linux to be less than satisfactory.
4. Application performance and the need for speed (compile-time and runtime)
While not important to all, there is a significant base of developers where app performance is highly important. Whether it is monte carlo calculations for the finance sector, molecular simulations for biopharmaceuticals, or improving the weather forecast, certain environments have an unrelenting appetite for speed. These folks typically keep up with hardware advances and want to maximize its potential for their applications. In the compile-time C++ arena, many folks need their compiler to improve its effeciency in dealing with C++ templates.
Thoughts? Do these affect you or are there other factors that are impacting you more?
Posted at 04:29PM Jun 03, 2007 by Kuldip Oberoi in Work | Comments[0]