I just discovered this old C++0x draft about modules in C++0x.
The idea was to get out of the current .h/.cpp system by writing only .cpp files which would then generate module files during compilation, which would then in turn be used by the other .cpp files.
This looks like a really great feature.
But my question is: why did they remove it from C++0x? Was it because of too many technical difficulties? Lack of time? And do you think they will consider working on it for an ulterior version of C++?
From the State of C++ Evolution (Post San Francisco 2008), the Modules proposal was categorized as "Heading for a separate TR:"
These topics are deemed too important to wait for another standard after C++0x before being published, but too experimental to be finalised in time for the next Standard. Therefore, these features will be delivered by a technical report at the earliest opportunity.
The modules proposal just wasn't ready and waiting for it would have delayed finishing the C++0x standard. It wasn't really removed, it was just never incorporated into the working paper.