Stroustrup: complexity in code? absolutely necessary.

Bjarne Stroustrup, the visionary behind C++, isn't backing down from his stance on programming languages. In a recent resurgence of commentary, the computer scientist is doubling down on the assertion that complexity isn’t a bug – it’s a feature, particularly when tackling the demands of modern software engineering and the relentless march of AI integration.

The two-tiered landscape of software

Stroustrup's perspective fundamentally challenges the prevailing narrative of 'easy' languages and effortless coding. He posits a stark division within the industry: those languages that deliver power and control, and those that don't. It's a divide that isn't about simplicity, but about capability. The programmer who can’t write a single line of code? That, Stroustrup suggests, is a sign that the very nature of programming is undergoing a seismic shift. He’s previously warned against the illusion that mastery can be achieved solely through online tutorials, and cautioned against equating intelligence with programming success—a point many experienced engineers quietly agree with.

The developer community is rife with complaints about languages that, despite their popularity, ultimately fall short when confronted with serious engineering challenges. Stroustrup’s observation –