In this chapter, we provided an overview of some of the recent advancements in C++ that are leveraged in this book. We started with an overview of the changes made to C++ in the C++17 specification. We then briefly covered a C++ design pattern called RAII, and how it is used by C++. Finally, we introduced the GSL and how it can help to increase the reliability and stability of system programming by helping to adhere to the C++ Core Guidelines.
In the next chapter, we will go over UNIX-specific topics such as UNIX processes and signals, and a comprehensive overview of the System V specification, which is used to define how programs are written for UNIX on Intel CPUs.