Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/16/safe_c_plusplus/
Source: The Register
Title: The empire of C++ strikes back with Safe C++ blueprint
Feedly Summary: You pipsqueaks want memory safety? We’ll show you memory safety! We’ll borrow that borrow checker
After two years of being beaten with the memory-safety stick, the C++ community has published a proposal to help developers write less vulnerable code.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
**Summary:** The article discusses the introduction of the Safe C++ Extensions proposal, aimed at enhancing memory safety in the C++ programming language. This initiative comes in response to increasing demands for secure coding practices from various sectors, including government agencies. The proposal seeks to address long-standing memory safety issues without requiring a complete migration to safer languages like Rust.
**Detailed Description:**
The Safe C++ Extensions proposal represents a significant effort within the C++ community to address critical security vulnerabilities associated with memory safety. Developed following extensive discussions and criticism over the last two years, the proposal manifests as a response to calls from both public and private sectors for safer programming practices. Here are the key points:
– **Memory Safety Concerns**:
– Serious vulnerabilities in codebases are often attributed to memory safety flaws, which have prompted concerns and discussions within the developer community.
– Popular languages known for their safety include C#, Go, Java, Python, Swift, and especially Rust.
– **Historical Context**:
– Discussions around memory safety became prominent after observations in 2019 that highlighted the prevalence of such vulnerabilities in C/C++ projects.
– Influential voices like Microsoft Azure’s CTO and the NSA have called for a transition away from C/C++, advocating for Rust instead.
– **The Safe C++ Proposal**:
– The proposal is seen as revolutionary; it aims to introduce features that enhance memory safety without drastically shifting existing coding practices.
– It leverages concepts such as compile-time checks for memory safety, specifically addressing use-after-free errors and type safety issues.
– **Challenges of Migration**:
– The difficulty of rewriting existing C++ applications in Rust poses significant challenges for developers.
– C++ and Rust have differing language features, making interoperability complex, which the Safe C++ Extensions aim to alleviate.
– **Call to Action**:
– The proposal encourages increased industry participation to ensure the initiative’s success.
– It seeks to provide a practical solution that enhances memory safety while avoiding the costly process of language conversion.
– **Future Steps**:
– Ongoing efforts will focus on specifying memory-safe versions of C++ features, with a goal to universally improve the security posture of applications built with this language.
Overall, this development highlights the urgent need for improved software security practices and seeks to align the C++ ecosystem with contemporary demands for robust memory safety measures. Security and compliance professionals should monitor these efforts, as they may significantly influence software development standards and practices in the coming years.