In the world of web development, where simplicity and ease of use are valued, C++ is probably the last thing that would come to mind, where JavaScript, Python, and Ruby are the preferred choices. However, C++ has a strong ecosystem of libraries in which one can build robust and high-performance web applications. These libraries help in managing HTTP requests, handling server-side logic, and interacting with databases, among others. This makes C++ a viable option for building web apps.
In this feature, we have brought together some of the best libraries one could use to build web applications in C++. Not just useful, but essential, these libraries let developers harness the power and performance that C++ gives in web development. Whether you want to develop some kind of high-performance application or a real-time service, these libraries will not only help but also let you learn and grow effectively.
CppCMS is a high-performance web development framework aimed at C++ developers. It has been designed especially to be good with large loads and, at the same time, to be able to deliver very high-speed dynamic web content. While traditional web development frameworks are based on working with multithreading.
CppCMS works with asynchronous practices. Due to this, it stays extremely fast and resource-friendly. This framework has provided complete control of the context on the web, which is good for developers who are willing to go in-depth while building a web app requiring many customizations.
Key Features:
High Performance and Low Latency: The architecture of CppCMS is designed to be lightning-fast and optimally designed, toward supporting a large number of parallel requests with minimum latency.
Modern C++ Standards: Supports the latest C++ standards, allowing developers to use modern C++ features in their web applications.
Inbuilt Security: CppCMS comes down with protection against most common web vulnerabilities, which means your web apps are secure by default.
Flexible Integration: It allows for easy integration with other C++ libraries for flexibility in creating complex applications.
Use Cases:
High-Performance Web Applications: CppCMS is well-suited for crafting web applications requiring high performance and resource efficiency, such as real-time trading platforms, high-traffic web portals, and data-intensive applications.
Wt is a complete C++ library to create web applications with a desktop look and feel for the end user. It is a widget-based framework where, as a programmer, you can design very interactive web apps and provide instant responses. It takes care of request handling to HTML rendering by using WebSockets. Thus, it can be used for real-time web apps also.
Key Features:
Widget-Based Programming Model: The APIs presented by Wt imitate the desktop widget APIs to a certain extent. Hence, the transition becomes pretty easy for developers coming from a desktop GUI development background while using Wt.
Support for WebSockets: Wt has built-in support to use WebSockets for full-duplex communication between the server and the client. This is very important for any application that involves live chat, real-time dashboards, and collaborative tools.
Database Integration: The Framework comes with an ORM, or Object-Relational Mapping, system for easy connectivity with the databases. By this, data management becomes facile for developers.
Scalable: WT is designed to be scalable to several servers, which helps in developing large-scale web applications.
Use Cases:
Interactive Web Applications: Wt is well-suited for constructing web applications with a high load of interactivity, such as enterprise offerings, tools on the web, and rich internet applications.
Pistache is a modern C++ REST framework that allows the developer to quickly and easily build RESTful web services. High performance and scalability are carefully designed, making it the best choice for building microservices architecture. A simple API makes Pistache easy to learn and deploy, even for developers who have no experience with web development in C++.
Key Features:
Easy-to-use and Clean API: Pistache provides an easy-to-use API that even developers just starting web development in C++ can use with ease.
Performance and Scalability: The framework is performant, scaling to high loads efficiently, hence a good fit for microservices and systems with a distributed nature.
Processing can be either synchronous or asynchronous. Pistache provides support for both of them and thus, the developer can choose which approach should be used in their application. Integrations with Other Libraries: It is very simple to integrate this framework with other C++ libraries. Therefore, in case some functionality is missing, developers can easily extend it for their purposes. Use Cases:
RESTful APIs and Microservices: Pistache is ideal for building RESTful APIs and microservices that will have to handle many requests and serve responses effectively. It is ideal for applications needing super-fast communication with a low holdup between services.
Crow is another awesome C++ framework that allows the engineer to build web applications and APIs easily. It represents an extremely powerful interface for HTTP request processing and building responses against those requests. Crow takes a lot from the Express.js framework, which makes its syntax and application familiar to those who know web development within JavaScript frameworks.
Key Features:
Easy to Use: Being lightweight and user-friendly, Crow is good for developers who have a lot of quick needs and just need something fast to get up and live. JSON Support: The framework comes with JSON, an essential docket for developing web APIs and applications. It is so obvious because this makes it easy to handle data in a form that is well-supported by most web applications.
Synchronous and Asynchronous Processing: Crow provides the facility to the developers for supporting both synchronous and asynchronous processing, thus enabling the calls to be executed in the best-suited fashion.
Express. js-Like Routing System: Crow has implemented a routing system inspired by Express.js. Thus, routes are fairly simple to define, and the application of HTTP requests becomes quite easy.
Use Cases:
Web APIs: Crow is more of a framework than it is a library, and targets developers who need a light and easy-to-use solution to craft web APIs. It is particularly fit for web applications ranging from small to middle size and the creation of microservices.
Beast falls under the umbrella of Boost libraries, and it has an embedded HTTP and WebSocket protocol built using Boost. Asio. It's perfect for the developer who needs a minimal impact on HTTP communication but still wants to retain all WebSocket's pros and cons intact. Beast is highly configurable and allows developers to create applications that may require an inch-perfect level of control over network communications.
Key Features:
Low-Level Control: Boost. Beast offers low-level control over HTTP and WebSocket protocols, which is suitable for a developer who wants to craft network communication to his or her taste.
Boost Libraries: Boost. Beast, as part of the well-understood and well-tested Boost library, benefits from large Boost documentation and community support.
High Performance: By incorporating Boost.Asio, Boost. Asio offers high performance for efficient handling of asynchronous network operations.
Detailed Documentation: Beast has extensive documentation and examples, hence making it easier for developers to get started.
Use Cases
Complex Web Applications: Boost. Beast is the right choice for developers who require fine-grained control over their HTTP and WebSocket communications-especially during complex web applications that need protocol handling or advanced networking features tailor-made for them.
Restbed is a comprehensive, well-rounded RESTful framework designed to assist a developer in creating scalable, high-performance web services. Restbed derives its predominant strength from the fact that it treats requests asynchronously. With Restbed, it's pretty easy to integrate SSL/TLS in a way that doesn't sacrifice the productivity of the developer. This is quite modular, as it allows the developer to only use the required components - which adds up to make Restbed light when used for constructing web services.
Key Features:
Asynchronous Request Handling: It supports asynchronous processing, hence allowing Restbed to handle a substantial number of concurrent requests.
Modular Design: Developers can include in their app only the components they need from this framework to maintain lightness and speed.
SSL/TLS Integration: Easy integration of Restbed with SSL/TLS for secure communication between clients and servers.
Cross-platform compatibility: The testbed is cross-platform implemented, and that means developers have an assurance that it would run in any operating system.
Use Cases
Secure Web Services: Restbed is one of the best solutions to build secure, scalable web services that depend on the asynchronous processing of requests and responses, which includes SSL/TLS support. It is particularly good for applications dealing with sensitive data or for those in which high security is a requirement.
Even though C++ itself is not the most widely adopted language for web development, combined with the right libraries, it surely offers a powerhouse to develop cutting-edge and high-performance web applications. Above, the libraries give one a choice from full-featured frameworks like CppCMS and Wt to light ones like Pistache and Crow. One can therefore make efficient use of C++ speed and efficiency to develop web applications that are robust and scalable by selecting a library of their choice.
With these C++ libraries, you will be able to create any real-time application, scalable API, or high-performance web service. While web development has kept moving forward, C++ would still be a very good alternative for those developers who need the power and control that may be given only by the compiled language.
1. Can I build modern web apps using C++?
Yes, with the help of libraries like CppCMS, Wt, and Crow, you can build modern web apps using C++. These libraries provide the necessary tools for handling HTTP requests, rendering HTML, and managing server-side logic.
2. Which C++ library is best for building RESTful APIs?
Pistache and Restbed are excellent choices for building RESTful APIs. Pistache is lightweight and easy to use, while Restbed offers advanced features like asynchronous processing and SSL/TLS integration.
3. Is C++ a good choice for real-time web applications?
Yes, C++ is an excellent choice for real-time web applications, especially with libraries like Wt and Boost. Beast, which offers support for WebSockets and low-latency communication.
4. How does Wt compare to other web frameworks in C++?
Wt offers a unique widget-based programming model that is similar to desktop GUI applications, making it stand out among other C++ web frameworks. It’s particularly well-suited for developers with a background in desktop development.
5. Are there any security concerns when using C++ for web development?
While C++ provides powerful tools for web development, it also requires careful management of memory and resources to avoid security vulnerabilities. However, many C++ web frameworks, like CppCMS and Restbed, come with built-in security features to help mitigate these risks.