[starsinspace]

I agree that "straight C" is not the best choice anymore... but C++ isn't great either. It inherits most of C's weaknesses and for libraries, it makes it very difficult to use the code from languages other than C++. By making a library in C++ you are basically limiting it to being used only in C++ projects. (Yes, wrapper generators for C++-to-whatever exist, but my experience with using e.g. Qt from other languages has always been pretty terrible).

Even in 2019, the C ABI is the one universally agreed-upon cross-language ABI for languages compiled to native code.

[pjmlp]

In what concerns security, both should be nuked.

However given that at least C++ does support ways to tame C, after all the whole purpose was for Bjarne never to repeat his Simula into BCPL rewrite experience ever again, it is up for security conscious to decide what legacy they want to leave, when the option is between both those languages.

On the other hand maybe C should be used to write Skynet, so that we stand a chance.