# Bjarne Stroustrup

> Danish computer scientist, creator of C++ (born 1950)

**Wikidata**: [Q92620](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q92620)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bjarne_Stroustrup)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bjarne-stroustrup

## Summary
Bjarne Stroustrup is a Danish computer scientist best known as the creator of the C++ programming language. Born in 1950, he has made foundational contributions to programming languages, software engineering, and computer science education. His work on C++ has shaped modern software development, influencing countless systems and applications worldwide.

## Biography
- **Born**: December 30, 1950, in Aarhus, Denmark
- **Nationality**: Danish (also holds U.S. citizenship)
- **Education**:
  - Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Cambridge (1979), advised by David Wheeler
  - Master's degree, Aarhus University (1969–1975)
- **Known for**: Creating and developing the C++ programming language
- **Employer(s)**:
  - Bell Labs (1979–2002)
  - Texas A&M University (2002–2014)
  - Morgan Stanley (2014–2022)
  - Columbia University (2022–present)
- **Field(s)**: Computer science, programming languages, software engineering

## Contributions
Bjarne Stroustrup is the creator of C++, a general-purpose programming language that extends the C language with object-oriented, generic, and functional features. Developed initially at Bell Labs in 1979, C++ was designed to provide flexibility and efficiency for large-scale software development. Stroustrup's work on C++ began as an enhancement to C, adding classes, inheritance, and other features to support object-oriented programming. The language was standardized in 1998 (ISO/IEC 14882) and has since undergone multiple revisions (C++11, C++14, C++17, C++20, and C++23), each introducing significant improvements.

Beyond C++, Stroustrup has authored several influential books, including *The C++ Programming Language* (first published in 1985) and *A Tour of C++* (2013), which are widely used as textbooks and references. He has also contributed to programming language theory, software design principles, and education, advocating for clarity, efficiency, and maintainability in code. His research and writings have shaped modern software engineering practices, particularly in systems programming, embedded systems, and high-performance computing.

Stroustrup has held academic positions at Texas A&M University and Columbia University, where he has mentored students and advanced research in programming languages. His work has earned him numerous awards, including the ACM Grace Murray Hopper Award (1993), the IEEE Computer Pioneer Award (2018), and the Charles Stark Draper Prize (2018).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Bjarne Stroustrup best known for?
A: Bjarne Stroustrup is best known for creating the C++ programming language, which has become one of the most widely used languages in software development, particularly for systems programming, game development, and high-performance applications.

### Q: Where did Bjarne Stroustrup develop C++?
A: Stroustrup developed C++ at Bell Labs in the late 1970s and early 1980s, where he worked from 1979 to 2002. The language evolved from his desire to add object-oriented features to the C programming language.

### Q: What awards has Bjarne Stroustrup received?
A: Stroustrup has received numerous prestigious awards, including the ACM Grace Murray Hopper Award (1993), the IEEE Computer Pioneer Award (2018), the Charles Stark Draper Prize (2018), and the Faraday Medal (2017). He is also a Fellow of the ACM, IEEE, and the National Academy of Engineering.

### Q: What books has Bjarne Stroustrup written?
A: Stroustrup has authored several key books on C++, including *The C++ Programming Language* (multiple editions), *A Tour of C++*, and *Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++*. These books are widely regarded as authoritative resources for learning and mastering C++.

### Q: Where does Bjarne Stroustrup currently work?
A: As of 2022, Stroustrup is a professor at Columbia University. Previously, he worked at Morgan Stanley (2014–2022), Texas A&M University (2002–2014), and Bell Labs (1979–2002).

## Why They Matter
Bjarne Stroustrup's creation of C++ revolutionized software development by introducing a powerful, efficient, and flexible programming language that combined the low-level control of C with high-level abstractions like object-oriented and generic programming. C++ has become a cornerstone of modern computing, used in operating systems (e.g., Windows, Linux), game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine), embedded systems, and high-performance applications like financial trading systems and scientific computing.

Stroustrup's work has influenced generations of programmers and programming languages. His emphasis on performance, maintainability, and expressiveness has shaped software engineering best practices. Without C++, many critical systems and technologies would either not exist or would be significantly less efficient. His contributions extend beyond the language itself; through his books, teachings, and advocacy, he has educated countless developers and advanced the field of computer science.

## Notable For
- Creator of the C++ programming language, one of the most influential languages in computing history.
- Author of *The C++ Programming Language*, a definitive reference for the language.
- Recipient of the ACM Grace Murray Hopper Award (1993) and the IEEE Computer Pioneer Award (2018).
- Fellow of the ACM, IEEE, and the National Academy of Engineering.
- Former researcher at Bell Labs and professor at Texas A&M University and Columbia University.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Bjarne Stroustrup was born on December 30, 1950, in Aarhus, Denmark. He earned a master's degree in mathematics and computer science from Aarhus University (1969–1975). He then pursued a Ph.D. in computer science at the University of Cambridge, completing his doctorate in 1979 under the supervision of David Wheeler, a pioneering British computer scientist.

### Development of C++
Stroustrup began developing C++ in 1979 at Bell Labs, where he sought to enhance the C programming language with object-oriented features. The language was initially called "C with Classes" and evolved into C++ by the mid-1980s. Key features introduced by Stroustrup include:
- **Classes and inheritance**: Enabling object-oriented programming.
- **Templates**: Supporting generic programming.
- **Operator overloading**: Allowing intuitive syntax for user-defined types.
- **Exception handling**: Improving error management.

C++ was standardized by ISO in 1998 (C++98), with subsequent major revisions in 2011 (C++11), 2014 (C++14), 2017 (C++17), 2020 (C++20), and 2023 (C++23). Each revision has introduced modern features while maintaining backward compatibility.

### Academic and Industry Career
- **Bell Labs (1979–2002)**: Stroustrup developed C++ and conducted research in programming languages and distributed systems.
- **Texas A&M University (2002–2014)**: Held a professorship in computer science, focusing on programming languages and software engineering.
- **Morgan Stanley (2014–2022)**: Worked as a managing director in technology, applying his expertise to financial systems.
- **Columbia University (2022–present)**: Currently a professor, continuing his research and teaching in computer science.

### Publications and Influence
Stroustrup has authored several influential books:
- *The C++ Programming Language* (1st ed., 1985; 4th ed., 2013): The definitive guide to C++.
- *A Tour of C++* (2013, 2018, 2022): A concise overview of modern C++.
- *Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++* (2008): A textbook for beginners.

His work has shaped software engineering education and practice, emphasizing clarity, efficiency, and maintainability. He has also mentored numerous students, including doctoral advisees like Peter Mathias Pirkelbauer and Damian Dechev.

### Awards and Honors
Stroustrup's contributions have been recognized with numerous awards:
- **ACM Grace Murray Hopper Award (1993)**: For outstanding young computer professional.
- **IEEE Computer Pioneer Award (2018)**: For pioneering work in programming languages.
- **Charles Stark Draper Prize (2018)**: For conceptualizing and developing C++.
- **Faraday Medal (2017)**: For contributions to computer science.
- **ACM Fellow (1994)** and **IEEE Fellow**: For leadership in programming languages.

### Legacy
C++ remains one of the most widely used programming languages, powering critical infrastructure in operating systems, embedded systems, game development, and high-performance computing. Stroustrup's design principles—performance, flexibility, and maintainability—continue to influence modern programming languages and software engineering practices. His work has left an indelible mark on the field, ensuring his place as one of the most important figures in computer science history.

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## References

1. [Source](https://www.stroustrup.com/bio.html)
2. Czech National Authority Database
3. BnF authorities
4. [Bjarne Stroustrup](https://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/prizes-awards/william-procter/award-winner/bjarne-stroustrup)
5. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/award_winners/stroustrup_1652833#145)
6. [2015 Winners](https://sites.google.com/aito-services.org/home/aito-dahl-nygaard/2015-winners)
7. [Bjarne Stroustrup awarded 2017 Faraday Medal. Columbia University. 2017](https://www.cs.columbia.edu/2017/bjarne-stroustrup-awarded-2017-faraday-medal/)
8. [Dr. Bjarne Stroustrup](https://www.nae.edu/177032/Dr-Bjarne-Stroustrup)
9. [IEEE Computer Society Computer Pioneer Award in Honor of the Women of ENIAC Award. 2018](https://www.computer.org/volunteering/awards/pioneer)
10. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/award_winners/stroustrup_1652833#158)
11. [Rigmor og Carl Holst-Knudsens Videnskabspris](https://auhist.au.dk/haedersbevisninger/rigmor-og-carl-holst-knudsens-videnskabspris/)
12. [Source](https://thejohnscottaward.github.io/jsc/2011-recent.html)
13. Mathematics Genealogy Project
14. International Standard Name Identifier
15. CiNii Research
16. Virtual International Authority File
17. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/fellows/award-recipients)
18. [Source](http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102740024)
19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
20. Open Library
21. Goodreads
22. Quora
23. [Hitler on C++17. Reddit. 2015](https://www.reddit.com/r/cpp/comments/398x7w/hitler_on_c17/)