C++: The Documentary

The World's Most Consequential Programming Language

Overview

C++: The Documentary tells the story of one of the most influential programming languages ever created. From its beginnings at Bell Labs in 1979 to its role powering modern computing infrastructure, the film traces how C++ evolved and why it continues to matter today. Through interviews with language creators, standards contributors, and engineers across industries, the documentary explores the design philosophy behind C++, the challenges of maintaining a language used by millions of developers, and the systems it enables—from game engines and particle physics to financial infrastructure.