> I think putting C++ in maintenance mode and keep it as a "legacy" language is the way to go

I agree but also understand this is absolutely wishful thinking. There is so much inertia and natural resistance to change that C++ will be around for the next century barring nuclear armageddon.

I don't think even that would suffice. :)

Cobol's still around. Just because a language exists doesn't mean that we have to keep releasing updated specifications and compiler versions rather than moving all those resources to better languages.