Generic Programming

Explore the foundations and impact of Generic Programming in this 1-hour 9-minute conference talk from code::dive 2018. Delve into the origins of this influential concept, coined by Alex Stepanov and David Musser in 1988, and understand its profound effect on programming, particularly C++ evolution. Uncover common misconceptions about generic programming and gain insights into why it's more than just another programming paradigm. Journey through the historical context, including contributions from John Backus, Bell Labs, and the development of STL. Examine key concepts such as exception safety, axioms in programming, and the relationship between programming and mathematics. Learn about the work at Adobe Software Technology Lab and the Elements of Programming. Conclude with discussions on concepts, unified proposals, and the Palo Alto Workshop, providing a comprehensive overview of Generic Programming's past, present, and future implications.