Rogue Wave announced the results of a global survey of software developers to determine the role C++-based applications will play in their future IT plans. Given that service-oriented architecture (SOA) spending is expected to grow 60 percent per year, Rogue Wave conducted the survey to determine how C++ applications figured into SOA migration plans. The survey revealed that while most companies using C++ applications are enthusiastic about the future plans for existing C++ applications, there is no consistent approach to migrating those apps to an SOA.

According to the research:

• Most companies are committed to enhancing  their C++ apps
• 78 percent have no concerns about the long term C++ development strategy
• 63 percent will keep enhancing C++ apps for the long term and 36 percent are integrating with heterogeneous apps
• While one-quarter plan to replace one or more C++ apps with Java or .NET-built apps, 93 percent of those same developers plan to maintain and enhance their other existing C++ apps

• C++ apps have equal footing in SOA strategies
• Among developers whose companies have already adopted an SOA development model, 60 percent have already included C++ apps in that model and 36 percent are planning/evaluating how to include C++
• Among developers whose companies are planning to adopt an SOA development model, 90 percent are planning/evaluating how to include their C++ apps

Several of the respondents noted the importance C++ plays for their IT strategy, including:

• "We need our application to run fast, so Java is not in our list; only C++ can fit."
• "There is movement in a few areas to replace C++ with Java or .NET, but most of the apps require more time considerations and processing efficiency than either can do."

"C++ applications are not fading away and the survey results reinforce that C++ applications will play a key role in enterprises alongside other mission critical apps," said Patrick Leonard, Vice President Engineering and Product Strategy at Rogue Wave. "The results confirm that developers are getting support and endorsement from their companies to maintain, expand and enhance their C++ applications to address corporate needs and strategies. As companies move towards deploying an SOA, developers can achieve greater flexibility, performance and interoperability with their C++ applications. The survey results underscore that C++ is still hugely relevant."

The survey revealed a divergence among developers on methods they currently use to incorporate C++ apps into an SOA. According to the research:

• While most developers use web services and components...
• 59 percent use web services
•  51 percent use tools/components in C++

• ... many still attempt one-off custom coding solutions
• 49 percent use custom coding with Java or .NET
• 41 percent use custom coding with C++

Rogue Wave Helps Developers Accelerate SOA Initiatives
Rogue Wave SourcePro C++ and the Rogue Wave Hydra Suite help developers modernize their C++ applications for use in an SOA within the native C++ development environment. The Hydra Suite enables developers to enable existing application components to run concurrently without requiring significant rewriting or custom coding. The Rogue Wave Hydra Suite also ensures that existing infrastructure, such as databases, can be extended to be used in SOA-based applications.