Conceived as an extension to C, [[C++]] introduced [[Object-oriented programming|object-oriented]] features, as well as other conveniences like references, operator overloading, and default arguments. Like C, C++'s generality allowed it to be used in a wide range of areas. While its C++'s core area of application is in systems programming (because of C++'s ability to grant access to low-level architecture),<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stroustrup |first=Bjarne |title=The C++ Programming Language |publisher=Addison-Wesley |year=1995}}</ref> it has been used extensively to build desktop applications, video games, databases, financial systems, and much more.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=C++ Applications |url=https://www.stroustrup.com/applications.html |access-date=2022-06-03 |website=www.stroustrup.com}}</ref> Major software and finance companies, such as [[Microsoft]], [[Apple Inc.|Apple]], [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]], and [[Morgan Stanley]], still widely use C++ in their internal and external applications.<ref name=":1" />
