New Features in C++26

The ISO has released new C++ language standards on a three-year cycle, with C++26 proposals open until January 2025. Notable additions include hazard pointers for lock-free concurrent code and user-space RCU support. These features are already available for experimentation in GCC and Clang. The proposed hazard-pointer library involves retiring shared objects atomically to manage object reclamation. User-space RCU, widely used in the Linux kernel, allows safe object updates through pointer swapping. C++26 also introduces smaller changes like a debugging header, linear algebra features, and text encoding enhancements. Core language changes include defining infinite loops as defined behavior and allowing void* casting in constexpr. Template improvements involve indexing packs and using them in friend declarations. These changes aim to enhance C++'s functionality and maintainability. The upcoming C++26 standardization meetings are expected to approve these changes, offering a window for feedback and additional suggestions.