What is C++?

C++ is a general-purpose programming language with a bias towards systems programming that

• is a better C
• supports data abstraction (e.g., classes)
• supports object-oriented programming (e.g., inheritance)
• supports generic programming (e.g., reusable generic containers and algorithms)
• supports functional programming (e.g., template metaprogramming, lambda functions, constexpr)

It is defined by an ISO standard, offers stability over decades, and has a large and lively user community. See also The C++ Programming Language and Evolving a language in and for the real world: C++ 1991-2006.

See also when and why C++ was invented.