False dichotomy.
If you use RAII, exceptions, and smart pointers in C++ there will be no leaks, no double-free, and not even a need for a GC.
I know it is difficult to make a point on the Internet, but resource leaks really are a solved problem in C++.
Yes, but then you're stuck using C++, RAII, and exceptions. Let's not even get into which smart pointer you should use--a Googler I know has recounted stories of massive internal mailing list arguments over exactly which of the half-dozen smart pointer implementations they should be using.
So, because C++ has imaginary problems, we should all switch to a language that solve them, while being worse at all other things that matters (you know, like code generation)?
