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Return to C++: CPP Standards, C++11, C++98, C++17, C++20 and C++23

C++14, an update to the C++11 standard, aimed at improving the language's usability, performance, and consistency. While it was not as large an update as C++11, C++14 included several important improvements and new features. This summary, presented in MediaWiki format, outlines the key enhancements introduced in C++14.

C++14 introduced binary literals, allowing developers to define integers in binary format directly, improving code readability for cases involving bit manipulation.

Generic lambdas in C++14 made it possible to write lambda expressions that can deduce their argument types automatically, enhancing the flexibility and expressiveness of lambda expressions.

This feature allows functions to deduce their return type based on the type of expression returned, simplifying template coding by eliminating the need for specifying the return type explicitly.

C++14 introduced a standardized way to mark elements of the code as deprecated, providing a mechanism to warn about features that are not recommended for use anymore.

Variable templates extend the concept of templates to variables, enabling the definition of templated constants and simplifying the use of templated data.

With digit separators, C++14 improved the readability of numeric literals by allowing single quotation marks as digit separators in numeric literals.

The restrictions on `constexpr` functions were relaxed, allowing them to use a wider range of statements and thus making `constexpr` more powerful and flexible.

C++14 added `std::make_unique` to the standard library, providing a safer and more concise way to create `unique_ptr` instances compared to manual new/delete management.

This feature introduced the ability to write custom deallocation functions that are aware of the size of the objects being deleted, potentially improving memory management efficiency.

`auto_ptr` was deprecated in C++14 in favor of the safer and more versatile `unique_ptr`, signaling the end of `auto_ptr`'s use in modern C++ code.

C++14 allowed member functions to be overloaded on the basis of `const`-ness of the `this` pointer, enhancing the expressiveness of class interfaces.

C++14 permitted aggregates (like structs) to initialize their members directly, simplifying the syntax for initializing complex structures.

Enhancements to dynamic memory allocation included support for allocator traits and hints for memory allocation, providing more control over memory usage patterns.

The standard library in C++14 was expanded to include support for user-defined literals for standard types, allowing for more intuitive and readable type conversions.

The `deprecated` attribute introduced a standardized way to indicate that a function, type, or variable is deprecated and should not be used in new code.

C++14 extended the capabilities of `constexpr`, allowing it to be used in more contexts and making compile-time computation more versatile.

Improvements to lambda capture expressions in C++14 included the ability to capture member variables and `*this` by value, increasing the flexibility of lambdas.

The C++14 standard library saw numerous enhancements, including new algorithms, improvements to existing container classes, and extensions to the `<chrono>` library.

C++14 received wide support from major compilers, including GCC, Clang, and MSVC, shortly after its release, demonstrating the industry's commitment to keeping up with the C++ standards.

C++14 was a significant step forward in the evolution of C++, focusing on making the language more user-friendly, flexible, and efficient. While it introduced fewer features than C++11, the enhancements in C++14 were crucial for streamlining C++ development and improving code quality.

For more detailed information on C++14 features and technical specifications, the official ISO C++ website and the GitHub repository for the C++ Standards Committee's documents are invaluable resources. Unfortunately, direct links to these resources cannot be provided here, but they are readily accessible through official channels and repositories dedicated to the C++ standard.

This summary provides an overview of the breadth of improvements and new features introduced in C++14, showcasing the standard's commitment to evolving in response to the needs of the programming community while maintaining backward compatibility and performance.