<p>I'm not asking this question because of the merits of garbage collection first of all.  My main reason for asking this is that I do know that Bjarne Stroustrup has said that C++ will have a garbage collector at some point in time.</p>

<p>With that said, why hasn't it been added?  There are already some garbage collectors for C++.  Is this just one of those "easier said than done" type things?  Or are there other reasons it hasn't been added (and won't be added in C++11)?</p>

<p>Cross links:</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/81062/garbage-collectors-for-c">Garbage collectors for C++</a></li>
</ul>

<p>Just to clarify, I understand the reasons why C++ didn't have a garbage collector when it was first created.  I'm wondering why the collector can't be added in.</p>

What type? should it be optimised for embedded washing machine controllers, cell phones, workstations or supercomputers?
Should it prioritise gui responsiveness or server loading?
should it use lots of memory or lots of CPU?
C/c++ is used in just too many different circumstances.
I suspect something like boost smart pointers will be enough for most users
Edit - Automatic garbage collectors aren't so much a problem of performance (you can always buy more server) it's a question of predicatable performance.
Not knowing when the GC is going to kick in is like employing a narcoleptic airline pilot, most of the time they are great - but when you really need responsiveness!