How Old Am I in Seconds and Other Insights From the C++ chrono Library

Explore the complexities and real-world applications of the C++ chrono library in this comprehensive conference talk by renowned C++ expert Nicolai M. Josuttis at ACCU 2025. Discover how the chrono library addresses surprising real-world timing challenges, from calculating the exact number of seconds in a year to validating dates like February 29, formatting dates properly, and coordinating video calls across multiple time zones including Chicago, Cuba, and China. Learn about the library's evolution from its C++11 introduction through the significant C++20 extensions that added powerful new capabilities. Delve into essential concepts including durations, time zones, date formats, calendars, clocks, weekdays, leap years, and leap seconds, while understanding how to implement these features correctly using the C++ standard chrono library. Gain insights into both the surprising complexities of real-world time handling and the thoughtful design principles behind this flexible, powerful, safe, and efficient library, with practical examples and unexpected revelations about time management in programming.