C++: "model of the hardware" vs. "model of the compiler" (2018)

Summary

Author:“No Bugs” Hare Follow: Job Title:Sarcastic ArchitectHobbies:Thinking Aloud, Arguing with Managers, Annoying HRs, Calling a Spade a Spade, Keeping Tongue in Cheek Recently, I have run into [P1063R0], and was literally stunned with a way those guys (mis)interpret certain fundamental aspects of C++ philosophy. By today, I found what I don’t like about their position – and am able to articulate it, so here it goes. Disclaimer: THIS POST IS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT C++; other programming languages MAY BE (and most ARE) different in this regard. Disclaimer #2: unfortunately, [P1063R0] is very vague about justifying some of its claims – so I had to make quite significant leaps to connect the dots. If any of the authors of [P1063R0] is ready to provide alternative justification of their wording mentioned below – I will be happy to amend this post to reflect it (however, I cannot guarantee that amended post will be any more favorable to the “model of compiler” or to P1063R0). P1063R0 and “model of the hardware” becoming “model of the compiler” In the very beginning [P1063R0], the logic goes as follows: first, they’re quoting Bjarne: “C++ is a general-purpose programming language providing a direct and efficient model of hardware combined with facilities for defining lightweight and efficient abstractions.” No problem here – in fact, I am a big fan of this concept. “We suggest as a friendly amendment that the quote should say “a direct and efficient model of the platform”but then, the authors of [P1063R0] suggest a “friendly amendment” to this quote: “We suggest as a friendly amendment that the quote should say “a direct and efficient model of the platform”. For example, C++ templates provide a direct and efficient map of the compiler’s code generation facilities, rather than of any hardware feature”. This is where the problem starts; actually, following their logic, original Bjarne’s quote becomes diluted, transitioning from original “model of the hardware” via conspicuousl...