Contracts for C++ - Design by Contract for C++26 Standard

Explore the upcoming Contracts MVP feature targeting C++26 in this comprehensive conference talk from ACCU 2025. Learn about Design by Contract principles and how they enable writing safer, more correct programs, drawing from successful implementations in languages like Eiffel and Ada. Discover the current design of the Contracts MVP developed by SG21, the Contracts Study Group on the C++ Standard Committee, after previous standardization attempts for C++20 failed. Examine key components including preconditions, postconditions, assertions, and contract-violation handling mechanisms. Understand how the Contracts MVP serves as a superior replacement for custom assertion macros and can significantly improve code safety and correctness when properly implemented. Gain insights from Timur Doumler, co-chair of SG21 and co-host of CppCast, who brings extensive experience from computational astrophysics, audio technology, and C++ standards development. The presentation covers the two-decade history of contract attempts in C++ and provides practical guidance on leveraging this feature-complete design that's on track for inclusion in the C++26 Standard.