C++ is an extension of the C programming language developed by Bjarne Stroustrup in the early 1980s. It adds object-oriented features such as classes and inheritance, enabling better data abstraction and code reusability. C++ supports both high-level and low-level programming, making it suitable for system/software development, game programming, and real-time simulations. It includes features like templates and the Standard Template Library (STL) for generic programming and efficient data manipulation. C++ is widely used for its performance, versatility, and ability to handle complex applications.