Dr. Stroustrup named Distinguished Professor

by Tony Okonski

Dr. Bjarne Stroustrup has earned promotion to the academic rank of Distinguished Professor in recognition of his contributions to computer science and software development at Texas A&M University. The promotion will take effect on September 1, 2010.

Dr. Stroustrup's research interests include distributed systems, simulation, design, programming techniques, software development tools, and programming languages. Stroustrup is the College of Engineering Chair in Computer Science at Texas A&M University.

He is the author of three editions of the definitive book on C++, The C++ Programming Language, The Design and Evolution of C++ (1994), The Annotated C++ Reference Manual (1989), and a textbook for freshmen and beginning programmers, Programming Principles and Practice Using C++ (2009). These books have been translated in numerous languages.

C++ is one of the most widely used programming languages. It is used for everyday applications such as internet browsers and cell phones as well as scientific applications, such as NASA's Mars Rovers and the human genome project. Its key strength is in infrastructure applications, such as wind turbine control, micro-electronics industrial tools, and Google.

Stroustrup is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, an IEEE Fellow, an AT&T Fellow, and an ACM Fellow. He is actively involved in the ANSI/ISO standardization of C++.

In 1993 he received the ACM Grace Murray Hopper award "for his early work laying the foundations for the C++ programming language. Based on those foundations and Dr. Stroustrup's continuing efforts, C++ has become one of the most influential programming languages in the history of computing." In 2008, Stroustrup received the Dr. Dobb's Excellence in Programming award for "advancing the craft of computer programming."

Stroustrup is also a recipient of the 2009 Association of Former Students at Texas A&M University Distinguished Achievement Award in the Category of Research at both the College of Engineering and University levels. His elevation to Distinguished Professor is a very noteworthy achievement as it signifies the excellence and quality of Dr. Stroustrup's teaching and research in programming languages.