Bjarne Stroustrup

Computer Science Danish 1950 360 quotes

Creator of the C++ programming language.

Most quoted

"There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies."

— from Often attributed, widely circulated

"The problem with C is that it's too easy to shoot yourself in the foot. The problem with C++ is that it gives you a loaded gun, and then tells you to go ahead and shoot yourself in the foot, but with style."

— from Humorous anecdote (often attributed, not a private letter)

"C++ is a general-purpose programming language with a bias towards systems programming that supports efficient low-level computation, data abstraction, object-oriented programming, and generic programming."

— from The C++ Programming Language (2nd Edition), 1991

All quotes by Bjarne Stroustrup (360)

My goal was to provide a tool that allowed programmers to express their ideas directly and efficiently.

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C++ is a multi-paradigm language, and that's its strength.

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Don't optimize prematurely. Make it work, then make it fast.

Common programming advice (often attributed)

The most important property of a program is that it works correctly.

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I'm a great believer in the power of abstraction.

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C++ is designed to be used by real programmers, solving real problems.

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The standard library is an essential part of C++.

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Good code is readable, maintainable, and efficient.

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I've always tried to keep C++ as close to the hardware as possible, without sacrificing high-level features.

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The evolution of C++ has been a collaborative effort.

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There's no such thing as a perfect language, only languages that are better suited for certain tasks.

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The biggest challenge in software development is managing complexity.

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I'm constantly learning and trying to improve C++.

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C++ is a language for building systems, from embedded devices to large-scale applications.

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The future of C++ is bright, with new features and improvements constantly being added.

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My work on C++ has been a labor of love.

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I believe in providing powerful tools and letting programmers decide how to use them.

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The most important thing is to write code that is correct and understandable.

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I've always tried to avoid making C++ a 'kitchen sink' language, but rather a coherent and powerful one.

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The success of C++ is a testament to the power of open standards and community collaboration.

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