Introduction
************

   As you may remember, GNU C++ was the first native-code C++ compiler
available under Unix (December 1987).  In November 1988, it was judged
superior to the AT&T compiler in a Unix World review.  In 1990 it won a
Sun Observer "Best-Of" award.  But now, with new requirements coming
out of the ANSI C++ committee and a growing backlog of bugs, it's clear
that GNU C++ needs an overhaul.

   The C++ language has been under development since 1982.  It has
evolved significantly since its original incarnation (C with Classes),
addressing many commercial needs and incorporating many lessons learned
as more and more people started using "object-oriented" programming
techniques.  In 1989, the first X3J16 committee meeting was held in
Washington DC; in the interest of users, C++ was going to be
standardized.

   As C++ has become more popular, more demands have been placed on its
compilers.  Some compilers are up to the demands, others are not.  GNU
C++ was used to prototype several features which have since been
incorporated into the standard, most notably exception handling.  While
GNU C++ has been an excellent experimental vehicle, it did not have the
resources that AT&T, Borland, or Microsoft have at their disposal.

   We believe that GNU C++ is an important compiler, providing users
with many of the features that have made GNU C so popular: fast
compilation, good error messages, innovative features, and full sources
that may be freely redistributed.  The purpose of this overhaul, dubbed
the GNU C++ RENOVATION PROJECT, is to take advantage of the
functionality that GNU C++ offers today, to strengthen its base
technology, and put it in a position to remain--as other GNU software
currently is--the technical leader in the field.

   This release represents the latest phase of work in strengthening the
compiler on a variety of points.  It includes many months of work
concentrated on fixing many of the more egregious bugs that presented
themselves in the compiler recently.  In the coming months, we hope to
continue expanding and enhancing the quality and dependability of the
industry's only freely redistributable C++ compiler.