thought this may be relevant news for the FBlist. 
the GNU guys have just decided to include C++ in gcc: 

regards,
john p.


http://gcc.gnu.org/ml/gcc/2010-05/msg00705.html
| 
| From: Mark Mitchell <mark at codesourcery dot com>
| To: GCC <gcc at gcc dot gnu dot org>
| Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 17:26:16 -0700
| Subject: Using C++ in GCC is OK
| 
| I am pleased to report that the GCC Steering Committee and the FSF have
| approved the use of C++ in GCC itself.  Of course, there's no reason for
| us to use C++ features just because we can.  The goal is a better
| compiler for users, not a C++ code base for its own sake. 
| 
| Before we start to actually use C++, we need to determine a set of
| coding standards that will apply to use of C++ within GCC...
| 
| Because C++ is a big language, I think we should try to enumerate what
| is OK, rather than what is not OK.  But, at the same time, I don't think
| we should try to get overly legalistic about exactly what is in and what
| is out.  We need information guidelines, not an ISO standard.
| 
| Is there anyone who would like to volunteer to develop the C++ coding
| standards?  I think that this could be done as a Wiki page.  (If nobody
| volunteers, I will volunteer myself.)  Whoever ends up doing this, I
| would urge the rest of us not to spend too much time in the C++
| coding-standards bikeshed; we're not going to win or lose too much
| because we do or do not permit default parameters.
| 
| Mark Mitchell
| CodeSourcery
| mark@...