Designed by Google, Carbon is an experimental programming language intended for interoperability with C++.
When the language was first introduced in July 2022, Google engineer Chandler Carruth described the language as a successor to C++. Expected to have a 1.0 release in 2024 or 2025, the language is expected to fix several perceived shortcomings of C++, while providing a similar feature set.
According to Google spokespeople, the chief goals of the language are readability and bi-directional interoperability, allowing the user to include C++ code in the Carbon file, as opposed to using a new language (like Rust) that is not two-way compatible with C++ programs. As the language is still under development, other changes are likely.
Documents, design, implementation, and related tools for Carbon are hosted on GitHub under the Apache 2.0 license with LLVM Exceptions.
The language is influenced heavily by C++, but also by Rust and Swift.
In summary, Carbon is an experimental, open-source, statically-typed programming language started by Google to succeed C++. It is designed to be more efficient and easier to use than traditional programming languages, while offering modern programming practices, including generics, modular code organization, and simple syntax.
Since Carbon is new and still under development, as of this writing, there are many features still to be added, and changes may yet be made before its 1.0 release.
Topics related to the Carbon programming language are the focus of resources listed in this portion of our guide.
Recommended Resources
Carbon Language: an experimental successor to C++
This is the home of the Carbon programming language on GitHub. An experimental successor to C++, the site offers information about the language, including its goals and how to get started with it. The goal of the language is to become a modern, safe, and easy-to-learn language that can interoperate with existing C++ codebases. Documentation for programmers wanting to use and write code in Carbon is provided, along with the project status and information on joining the project.
https://emlai.github.io
Created by Matt Godbolt, a C++ developer, Compiler Explorer is an interactive online compiler that shows the assembly output of compiled C, C#, C++, COBOL, Crystal, Dart, Erlang, Rust, Go, and many other programming languages, including Carbon. This is its online compiler for Carbon. Aspiring Carbon programmers can enter their code on the field on the left, along with compiler options, filters, libraries, overrides, and so on, and the output will be displayed in the field on the right.
https://carbon.godbolt.org/
Explore the new Era of C++. the Carbon Language
Posted on the Programming Fire Blog, Nouman Rahman discusses the newly introduced programming language, Carbon, intended to be the successor to the C++ programming language. The article discusses the significance of C++ as one of the older languages that still power many important codebases, despite its limitations. Carbon is intended to fix the flaws while remaining compatible with C++, and matching C++'s performance and scalability. Sample code is provided.
https://programmingfire.com/explore-the-carbon-language
Exploring Carbon, the new superset of C++
Hosted on LogRocket, developers of session replay and monitoring technology, Solomon Esenyi, a Python/Golang developer, explores the Carbon programming language. An overview of the language and its features is provided, with comparisons of Carbon and C++, tips for getting started with Carbon, and examples of Carbon syntax. Also included is a discussion of the future of the programming language. Additional topics can be found in its table of contents and provided links.
https://blog.logrocket.com/exploring-carbon-new-superset-c-plus-plus/
This is the main repository for the Carbon programming language, including documents, design, implementation, and related tools. Repositories may be browsed, or sorted by type, language, in the order they were last updated, by name, or by the number of star ratings. An overview of the Carbon language is provided, along with active projects, packages, or people involved. Other products, solutions, or open-source repositories may also be found. Developer package pricing is included.
https://github.com/carbon-language
TipSeason provides handpicked tips for tech and interview preparation. This section includes several guides and tutorials on the Carbon programming language, currently an experimental successor to C++. Included is a comparison of Carbon with Rust, a text-based Carbon language tutorial, a video-based Carbon language tutorial, a section on Carbon language memory safety, the Carbon language Fibonacci series, and several others. Interviews, tools, and tips are included.
https://tipseason.com/carbon-language
Udemy: The Complete Carbon Programming Course
Udemy is an online learning platform that offers thousands of individual online courses on various topics and skills, including courses on coding, business, design, health, and others, all designed to be learned at your own pace and fit around your schedule. This course on learning to program in Carbon includes 3 hours of on-demand video, one article, mobile and TV access, and a certificate of completion. Full lifetime access to the course and a 30-day money-back guarantee are included.
https://www.udemy.com/course/the-complete-carbon-programming-course/
