The STLport web site has an older (2001) interview with Alexander Stepanov, the father of the C++ Standard Template Library. He talks about generic programming, the design of the STL and also offers his personal view of Java. A must read for C++ people.
For me, the STL is the coolest part of standard C++. It's a joy to work with, and it gives you the possibility to learn something new every day ;-). Definitely something you would not find in any other language.
Posted by guenter at May 24, 2006 01:17 PMSTL is indeed way cool. I have read the mentioned interview about 3 or 4 yeas ago, but I have read it again now. Stepanov is a great mind, and STL is a great thing, no doubt about it. It is good that Stroustrup had enough wisdom to see it and enough authority to push STL into the standard. STL has changed the language itself profoundly. Stepanov is clearly at odds with the OO crowd and none is 100% right. I very much agree with the "multiple paradigm programming" because "in medio stat virtus". Stroustrup's genius is in the ability to mix things with just about right measure. That's why C++ is still around and kicking.
P.S. All Stepanov's papers are available at http://www.stepanovpapers.com/