A fixed destination for C++ developers: the C++ on Sea. C++ on Sea? Basically the name already gives away the most important core info: It's about the programming language C++ and from the venue, a theater called "Leas Cliff Hall" in Folkestone (Kent, UK), you have a magnificent view of the English Channel. So the conference lives up to its name. Our colleague and Technology Evangelist Tina was also there and tells us about her experiences and what C++ means for ROSEN.
Compile Time, Runtime and Parallelism
Tina had two roles at once from June 28 to 30: First, she was an audience member, and second, she was a presenter. Under the title "Throwing Tools at Ranges", she showed differences between different C++ versions by analyzing different versions of a self-selected example with several tools. Ranges are a set of elements that can be iterated over, with a beginning and a ending element. "Why this particular topic? Because I have made the experience that the same questions keep coming up when it comes to the topic. What about compile time and runtime?" explains Tina, Software Developer. Compile time is the time it takes for the program to translate source code into machine code. Runtime is the amount of time it takes a program to complete a task. The so-called "Lightning Talks", in which the participants have five minutes to present a topic, were also fast-paced, varied and entertaining. Tina's choice fell on "Parallelism." Why? Because processes that run in parallel in the program are naturally a big topic in software development. And because there is a treadmill under her desk in her home office, thanks to which she has been able to run and work "in parallel" since last year.
In addition to her own presentations, she also listened to many other exciting talks, which dealt, for example, with security in C++, the current development status of the "Modules" feature and new algorithms in C++23, and networked with the experts. This gave everyone the opportunity to exchange ideas directly and intensively in a relatively small setting of around 220 participants. "By attending conferences like this and giving our talks, we are getting ROSEN more and more talked about in technical circles and positioning ourselves as experts in the field," Tina explains. "C++ conferences give us developers the opportunity to engage with the new language standards and learn from each other." A win-win for all sides.
C++ at ROSEN
C++ is a programming language that was developed in 1979 and is used especially in hardware-related programming. The language is used in many areas of industry, for example in operating systems, embedded systems and high-performance applications, but also in game development. Since 2011, C++ has been undergoing massive development. "At ROSEN, C++ is used, among other things, in the in-house processing platform for the conversion of specific file formats," classifies Tina. "In this regard, we are clearly pioneers in the use of new language standards and are one of the few companies that use new technologies directly. This is exactly why it is so important that we regularly participate in conferences such as C++ on Sea," Tina summarizes the importance. "Continuous training and development is part of our everyday work at ROSEN. And this includes such professional events and regular exchanges with other subject matter experts." Because only those who are up to date and keep close to current developments are "empowered by technology" and can continuously improve the performance of hardware-related programming. So it's no wonder that we (and our Technology Evangelists) are a permanent fixture at international C++ conferences. You can be curious what our Technology Evangelists will experience and report this year!