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The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

efinancialcareers.com

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Re: The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

#141
post #103
post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

C++ is legacy. You can't just ignore the fundamentals.

Just spent two years writing a medium size fresh c++ codebase in modern style with all the warnings turned to max and nearly every static analysis tool we could throw at it from day 1. It’s been an utter pleasure with no pain that can be blamed on c++ alone. It can be done :)

for stuff like gaming & HFT, you are probably forced to do it in C++, it is a sad reality affecting small % of developers. for everything else, if you are still building fresh new projects in C++, you are making a big mistake.

C++ today is like Cobol in 2010. yes, there are reasons for them to exist, people tell your the good old days, probably some fresh good recent experience. but come on, there is a much better place for C++ -

https://computerhistory.org/

Re: The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

#142
There are plenty of talented C++ programmers. They just don't want to be abused by trading firms or work in that culture. Even paying them more won't work, because no amount of money is worth that abuse.

I interviewed at a trading firm once, while I was working at Netflix (because Netflix encouraged us to interview for outside jobs at least once a year). The comp would have been double my Netflix salary.

But I would have had to work in their office in Manhattan, be in by 8:30am every day and not leave until after 5 at a miniumum. But that wasn't the part that scared me off. It was the fact that I would not be allowed to share my work internally. I would not even be allowed to brainstorm with people doing the same job in other areas of the business. I wouldn't be allowed to take my laptop home, so if I had a hard problem to solve, I'd have to stay in the office the whole time. So basically they expected us to never see our family nor collaborate with anyone.

Basically, they were so worried about secrecy of their trading algorithms and people sharing them with other companies, they didn't even let people share internally for fear that one person would learn too much about their business.

I decided to stick with my FAANG job because even the ridiculous money wasn't enough to make it worth the stress and isolation.

Re: The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

#143

Heh. I'm pretty proficient in modern C++, and it is my favorite tool for a lot of things, but my PHP job pays way more than any C++ position available. Did an interview once for Senior C++ Engineer, embedded software in the medical device space. All went good, until the offer: $100k. Articles like this are nothing more than a desperate attempt at getting younger generations to learn said topic, so companies can pay t…

Embedded roles pay less than almost any other role... I feel there should be some sort of diagram possible that explains which industries and technologies pay more or less.

> I feel there should be some sort of diagram possible that explains which industries and technologies pay more or less.

Is the entity you are selling your services to earning a large profit margin? If yes, then it is possible (but not guaranteed) for you to earn more. If not, then look elsewhere.

Generally, this situation happens in businesses that can scale with little to no marginal costs (software, media), can use governments to defend its property (intellectual property, land), and can be easily used as collateral (land) with which you can obtain leverage (money).

Re: The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

#144
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Last time I looked at the finance industry, which was admittedly a while ago, I saw a C++ job that listed the salary as being around $100k. Sounds reasonable. In New York City. Oh . Compare to Google salaries, on levels.fyi for example. I know they're not theoretical or inaccurate because I worked at Google for a while. If you really want to do C++ professionally, that and maybe other FAANG companies seem like they'd…

Google pays its C++ devs very well. Would you suggest those devs try to pivot to Java/Python/Golang also?

Google has basically thrown the towel in the ring when it comes to C++ considering they're building a replacement like Carbon and also using rust in and more places so they're likely pivoting to those two instead

Re: The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

#145

I feel like I am in a decently unique situation where I learned C++ throughout my preteens and teens, and got a job straight out of high school writing C++ for Unreal Engine applications. Most of the C++ jobs I see when I look are things that I just honestly do not want to do. I don't really mind working with the language and wouldn't mind sticking with it. But I don't want to work on financial software, as I don't w…

yeah im starting to get into the mindset of "fuck doing what you love, just get hobbies"

Ultimately, working in these high paying jobs lets you have a lot of great hobbies and enjoy life. Get a job with a decent work-life balance, and use the rarity of your skillset to make the crazy cash, retire early, make your own game company if you want.

Re: The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

#147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Also crazy non competes. Like 2 years.

If paid by a "high quality" salary, why not?

It’s anticompetitive, stifles innovation, and boxes people out of career growth in their niche industry.

Re: The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

#149
post #103
post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

C++ is legacy. You can't just ignore the fundamentals.

Just spent two years writing a medium size fresh c++ codebase in modern style with all the warnings turned to max and nearly every static analysis tool we could throw at it from day 1. It’s been an utter pleasure with no pain that can be blamed on c++ alone. It can be done :)

In the audio plugin space?
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