The Dangers of C++ - How to Mitigate Them and Write Safe C++

Explore the inherent risks of C++ programming and learn practical strategies to write safer, more reliable code in this 50-minute conference talk from CppCon 2025. Examine how C++'s powerful features like raw pointer manipulation and unchecked type conversions can lead to undefined behavior, memory corruption, and difficult-to-diagnose bugs, particularly in safety-critical domains such as automotive, aerospace, and medical systems. Discover how C++'s permissive design and legacy constructs continue to expose developers to dangerous pitfalls even in modern codebases. Learn about MISRA C++, a widely adopted set of guidelines for safe and robust C++ development, through concrete examples and key rules that help mitigate common risks. Gain insights into complementary practices and tools that development teams can use to enforce code safety and reduce vulnerabilities in C++ projects. Whether working on safety-critical systems or seeking to improve general code quality, acquire a comprehensive toolkit of approaches to harness C++'s power while avoiding its most dangerous traps and maintaining software reliability and maintainability.