2023 Keynote, Andrei Alexandrescu: Robots Are after Your Job (or at Least the Boring Parts of It): Exploring Generative AI for C++

We are pleased to announce that Andrei Alexandrescu, one of the most popular presenters to ever appear at CppCon, will be appearing in person, in Aurora as a CppCon 2023 keynote presenter.

From his talk description:

Robots Are After Your Job (or at Least the Boring Parts of It): Exploring Generative AI for C++

Almost a year since the launch of ChatGPT – considered by many as the first truly compelling code generator that translates free-form human language into code – the C++ community continues to grapple with the implications. Reactions range from indifference or skepticism to genuine concern about the future of human programmers.

Meeting in person

Although some advanced C++ techniques are already accessible to tools like ChatGPT, certain fundamental aspects remain outside the reach of current and possibly next-generation generative AI tools. This disparity raises pivotal questions: Which parts of the intricate C++ ecosystem can we confidently delegate to generative AI? What uniquely human skills must we retain and refine?

We’ll probe the potential and limits of contemporary AI, taking a novel look at the age-old binary search algorithm. Although this algorithm has long been held up as a paragon of efficiency, we challenge that notion. What would ChatGPT have to say about it, and how might it partner with us to refine this cornerstone of algorithmic logic? The conversation opens a window into a future where developers become the “one percenters” of programming—focusing solely on the most cerebral and high-level challenges, while AI takes care of the everyday tasks. Join us to explore this fascinating paradigm shift and reflect on what it means for your own work in and with C++.

Registration Desk

Don’t miss this very timely presentation by one of the best.

Registration is now open so don’t miss out on CppCon 2023 this October 2-6. Register today!

 

 

 

 

CppCon 2023 Diversity & Attendance Support Ticket program

Again this year, CppCon is running a Diversity & Attendance Support Ticket program. These free tickets are for people who would not be able to attend otherwise. This program is limited to conference tickets and doesn’t include support for transportation or lodging. This is an open program, but reasons to apply may include financial assistance, that you are part of an underrepresented group in tech, and others.

In order to apply for this program, please fill in the application form here. The application deadline is September 9, 2023. Decisions will be sent by September 12.

We look forward to seeing many of you again this year at CppCon 2023!

Opening 2023 Keynote, Bjarne Stroustrup: Delivering Safe C++

Meeting in personCppCon 2023 will kick off on Monday, October 2 with Bjarne Stroustrup delivering the traditional opening keynote live in person in Aurora.

Bjarne’s annual opening keynote for CppCon is one of the most anticipated and most watched talks in C++. His talks are always among the most viewed presentations on the CppCon YouTube Channel.

From his talk description:

Delivering Safe C++

Type safety was one of the key initial C++ design ideals. We have evolved C++ to the point where we can write C++ with no violations of the type system, no resource leaks, no memory corruption, no garbage collector, no limitation of expressiveness or performance degradation compared to well-written modern C++.

We face three major challenges: To define what “safe” means in the context of various C++ uses, to guarantee such safety where guarantees are needed, and to get developers to write such verified safe code.

I outline an approach based on safety profiles to address these challenges, describe an approach to eliminate dangling pointers, and suggest how to eliminate all dangling pointers and all range errors. My aim for key applications is verified type-and-resource-safe C++. An emphasis is on minimizing costly run-time checks through the use of abstractions. I see the current emphasis on safety as an opportunity to complete one aspect of C++’s fundamental aims in real-world code.

Every year, Bjarne Stroustrup gives an important C++ talk in his CppCon opening keynote. Be at CppCon again this year as Bjarne Stroustrup flies us above this complex landscape of issues and shines a spotlight on the most important things to know, and to think about, in C++ in 2023. This year we aim to leave extra extended time for real-time questions and answers with the live audience. Come to the talk, bring your questions, and don’t miss out!

Registration DeskRegistration is now open so don’t miss out on CppCon 2023 this October 2-6. Register today!

 

 

 

 

Announcing CppCon Academy 2023 Classes

class attendeesRegistration is open for exciting CppCon Academy classes that will be held in the days before or after CppCon 2023.

Five classes are online and the rest will be offered to onsite attendees at the Gaylord Rockies in Aurora.

Read about all the offered classes on the CppCon Academy 2023 page. This year we are offering classes that range from those that are focused on updating you to the latest versions of C++, to those focusing on better code, testing, or design skills. This year we are offering classes on concurrency, one on embedded programming, and one on performance and efficiency (well, okay, they are all about performance and efficiency ultimately).

class instructor with studentsOnline classes will be held either on the last three business days of the week before the conference or the first three business days of the week after the conference.

Onsite classes are held on the weekend days immediately before and after the conference.

class instructorMost of the classes feature two days (onsite) or three days (online) of class instruction. All classes feature hands-on opportunities to improve your programming skills.

CppCon instructors are selected from the best C++ instructors in the world. They feature rare combinations of deep technical knowledge, extensive development experience, and the ability to explain things in an approachable manner.

Register now!

CppCon 2023 Call for Submissions – Robotics Track

The Robotics Track at CppCon unites passionate professionals from the robotics industry and the broader C++ community to create a space for networking, collaboration, and growth in this dynamic field.

By attending talks in this track, you’ll join a community committed to exploring innovative solutions, empowering meaningful connections, and fostering growth in the exciting world of robotics. Together, we can bring the power of C++ to tackle complex challenges and shape the future of robotics technology.

We invite submissions that showcase the synergy between robotics and C++ concepts. Examples include:

  • Utilizing design pattern X to enable feature Y in a robotics project.
  • Comparing the impact of functional programming style vs. object-oriented style on a use case.
  • How leveraging C++17/20 features can optimize performance or safety in robotics systems.

Topics of interest include:

  • Simulation
  • Planning
  • Machine learning
  • State estimation
  • Controls
  • Foreign function interfaces
  • API design
  • Performance
  • Safety
  • Tooling
  • Infrastructure
  • Dependency management

Remember to indicate your interest in the Robotics Track in the Comments Section of the submission form. The submission process can be found here.

Griswald Brooks

Robotics Track chair

CppCon 2023 Call for Submissions – Software Design Track

Building software is much more than just writing lines of code. Amongst other, it also entails the management of interactions, the reduction of coupling and dependencies between software entities and the creation of good and meaningful abstractions. These are the aspects focused on in the CppCon Software Design Track.

Since software design can play a much more central role for the success of a project than the low-level implementations could ever do, CppCon also desires to cover this aspect of software engineering. Therefore you are strongly encouraged to submit talks for the Software Design Track.

Topics may include:

  • Design for change, scalability, extension, and testability.
  • Design techniques for all paradigms.
  • Both static and dynamic polymorphism.
  • Design and architectural patterns.
  • Good and bad experiences from real world projects (that is, war stories).
  • Advice on how to manage big projects via proper software organization.

Klaus Iglberger and Mike Shah, Ph.D.

Software Design Track co-chairs

CppCon 2023 Call for Submissions – Scientific Computing Track

The call for submission for the Scientific Computing Track at CppCon 2023 is now open! We are looking for talks that cover a wide range of topics related to scientific computing with C++.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • New C++ features and libraries for scientific computing
  • Parallel and distributed computing techniques
  • Numerical methods and algorithms
  • Machine learning
  • Data visualization and analysis
  • Software engineering for scientific computing

Scientific computing is a critical field that is used in a wide range of applications, from weather forecasting to medical imaging. By submitting a talk to the scientific computing track, you can help to share your knowledge and expertise with the C++ community. We encourage submissions from both experienced and new speakers. If you have a talk that you think would be a good fit for the Scientific Computing Track, please submit it by June 25, 2023. Submissions should be made through the CppCon website.

Damien Lebrun-Grandie

Scientific Computing Track chair

CppCon 2023 Call for Submissions – Embedded Track

CppCon has put out its call for submissions and the Embedded Track wants you to contribute! Whether your project is a multi-year effort for a large team or a hobby project you built at home for an Arduino or Raspberry Pi, there are thousands of developers out there struggling with the same kinds of issues that you’ve faced. Your experience and insights can provide a powerful learning experience and help them overcome those issues.

The Embedded Track has seen a wide variety of talks over the years, and we’d love to hear your contributions. Here are some examples of possible topics:

  • What challenges you’ve faced using C++ in an embedded environment.
  • What you learned from applying a new feature from C++17/20/23 in an embedded environment
    for the first time.
  • Case studies and performance analyses showing how to get the most out of C++.
  • How you adapted a design or technique to work within the constraints of your project.
  • What you wish someone had told you before you started developing for embedded systems.
  • That interesting new component or library that you developed for an embedded system.

A major goal of CppCon’s Embedded Track is to help connect embedded developers to the broader C++ community and vice versa. We think that both groups have a lot to learn from the other.

For talk topic ideas, possible formats, submission instructions, and valuable advice on how to make the best possible submission, see the Submissions page. You can also reach out to the organizers of the Embedded Track to ask questions or discuss ideas for submissions.

Ben Saks

Embedded Track chair

CppCon 2023 Call for Submissions – Back to Basics Track

To become an expert at any skill, one must first master the fundamentals. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, the Back to Basics (B2B) Track is calling for talks that showcase the foundational programming topics that every C++ programmer should know. CppCon has a history dating several years of Back to Basics topics that both beginners and experts can benefit from for learning and mastering C++ foundations. The visibility for these talks is high both onsite and on the CppCon YouTube channel — so we’d like you to consider submitting to this track and being part of this track’s rich history!

Submissions to this track focus on teaching and explaining the technical aspects of the C++ programming language from first principles. The talks in this track are technical, but each topic is taught from the first building blocks so the audience can follow along (and the attention to detail of a B2B talk may even benefit the experts!).

Past Topics for submission may include:

  • Debugging
  • Casting
  • Concurrency
  • Pointers
  • Arrays
  • Templates
  • Smart Pointers
  • Object-Oriented Programming
  • And we also encourage repeats — because we want your unique way of teaching!

Trainers, teachers, engineers, or those with deep expertise of foundational topics (yes that’s you!) are wanted to help train the next C++ talent in the Back to Basics (B2B) Track!

Details on the submission process can be found on the Main Program Submissions page.

Mike Shah, Ph.D. and Klaus Iglberger

Back to Basics Track co-chairs

The Wild Animal Sanctuary Field Trip Announced

The CppCon 2023 Field Trip will be a Wild Animal Sanctuary adventure.

Join Us on an Inspiring Journey to a Wild Animal Sanctuary!

We are thrilled to extend a warm invitation to all fellow conference attendees to join us on an extraordinary adventure beyond the conference venue. As part of our commitment to fostering a well-rounded experience, we have organized a visit to a remarkable wild animal sanctuary that promises to be both educational and awe-inspiring.


North of the conference hotel, the Wild Animal Sanctuary offers an incredible 1,214 acres (4.9 km^2) of natural habitats for rescued animals to enjoy. ​One of the largest carnivore sanctuaries in the world, designed and built like no other in existence. Everything about the facility is designed to ensure the animals’ welfare remains top priority, even with the numerous modern comforts provided to guests.

The raised walkway gives an unmatched vantage to see great animals at ease, engaging in their large environments. During our visit, we will have the opportunity to witness firsthand the incredible conservation efforts that go into protecting and rehabilitating these remarkable animals. 

 

 

 

We sincerely hope that you will seize this opportunity to explore the wonders of the wild alongside your fellow conference attendees. Let us come together, learn from nature’s marvels, and create memories that will leave a lasting impact. Transportation and Lunch will be provided in a location to facilitate meeting your fellow conference attendees.

We look forward to sharing this remarkable experience with you!





 

Spend a fun-filled Sunday October 1st with fellow attendees to take a walk on the wild side.

If you are arriving for CppCon 2023 by Sunday morning, this is your opportunity to get to know some of your fellow attendees while experiencing an amazing wildlife experience.

See the CppCon 2023 Field Trip page for details.

Register here!


North Denver Metro C++ MeetupThis year’s field trip is sponsored by the North Denver Metro C++ Meetup.