I don't usually pay much attention to Linus. But when I do, he's usually flaming someone.

http://www.attendly....-like-no-other/

Comments anyone?

I am looking at the C vs. C++ debate, as I am not knowledgeable about it enough to say either way, but can see how C++ promotes crappy programming and allows coders who have no clue what they are doing to code and still code crap software....

I have to say I agree with him. Remember Java came about in order to purge some of the useless and/or confusing features of C++. Code readability is important, and if you give people enough rope, they'll hang themselves. However, given how Java never really caught on because it turned out to be slow, and x86 remained the processor of choice instead of Java processors, C++ was resurrected in order to rectify this situation. The truth is, the computer world can never make up its mind, much like the US voters.

So, the answer is, use C++, but only the base features. Problem solved (sort of).

So, the answer is, use C++, but only the base features. Problem solved (sort of).

And "base features" would be what?
At what point do you say 'these are no longer base features!'?

Are lambdas not base features?
Are iterators not base features?
What about function objects?
Automatic type inferance?

The C++ language IS the 'base feature' set; granted some features aren't useful (exception specifiers I'm looking at you) and some lead to bad/dangerous code (multiple inhertiance and virtual inhertiance get my gaze this time) but the fact remains they are part of the base set and the good thing about C++ is that you CAN use these things when its the right time (which in the case of the things I named is nearly never).

For example, if I sat down to write a new chunk of C++ code for a PC today then I would be reaching for 'auto', for lambdas, for function objects, smart pointers and a whole host of tools which C++ provides because it makes my life easier (I can read and understand lambda functions in C++ as fast as normal code so I don't buy any arguements about 'hard to read'; sack up and get use to it).

Yes, there are cases where I couldnt do that - consoles being the clear case for this - but that comes under 'know thy platform'.

C++ might well be a horrible language for beginners.
It might be poor in various regards when compared against the likes of C#.
But if you are going to use it don't start restricting yourself by some hand wavey definition of 'base features' because that's the very definition of talking utter bollox.

Know thy platform, know thy tools, know thyself, and know thy fools.