Both C and C++ programming languages have been utilized for various development purposes like game development, database system software, working systems, GUI-based applications, thus significantly more.
They both have such a great amount to offer the programmers, so how might we pick one over the other?
Both are modifying language types, and one can involve them in developing applications. There is a major difference between C and C++. The C language is a procedural one that offers no help for objects and classes. Then again, the C++ language is a blend of object-oriented and procedural programming languages.
We will be first looking at the centre of what is C and C++ followed by a tabular representation of detailed head-to-head comparison. Let’s get started!
Introduction
Starting from your school days, you must be aware of the names of C and C++ in your computer syllabus. A very basic idea of the language of C or C++ has been included in the CBSE and ICSC education. Suppose you are willing to pursue your 10+ education with computer application as one of the languages. In that case, you will be introduced to many such languages that are nowadays used by programmers, such as Java, Logo, HTML, C, C++, and many more. These languages are the foundation and support for many applications. The programmers are either object-oriented or procedural language types.
C++ was created by Bjarne Stroustrup beginning in 1979 at Bell Labs in Murray Hill, New Jersey, as an upgrade to the C language and initially named C with Classes, yet later it was renamed C++ in 1983. C++ is a superset of C, and basically, any legal C program is a legal C++ program.
Differences between C and C++ in Tabular Form
| Parameter | C | C++ |
| Programming Style | The procedural language type is followed by the C language. | Object-oriented language for programming is followed by C++. |
| Approach | C follows a top to down programming approach that focuses on the means instead of the information. | C++ follows a base to-top methodology that focuses on information instead of the general strategy. |
| Program Division | Since C is an organized programming language the program is partitioned into discrete squares known as functions. | Since C++ is an item object-oriented programming language, the code is divided into Objects and Classes. |
| Data Types | C is a fundamental version of a programming language and supports just fixed data types and also primitive ones. | C++ is an upgraded version of C and supports conventional data types. |
| Exception Handling | C doesn't uphold exemption taking care of, i.e. support in the time of 'hard' mistakes causing code issues. | C++ upholds special cases dealing with and offers proficient support during errors and inaccurate codes. |
| Application Development | This programming language is more appropriate for assemblers, text editors, network drivers, and low-level implementations. | C++ programming language is reasonable and extensible for very good quality programming including game development, embedded systems like smartwatches, medical machines, etc. |
| Compatibility | C is known as the foundational language for applications and the code is written in C. They can be run with the C++ compiler. | C++ is the superset of the C language including the concept of OOP and hence, cannot run the code in the C compiler. |
| File Extension | The file extension for the C programming language is the “.c”. | .cpp is the file extension for C++. |
| Ease Of Coding | Also known as Hands-on language. The meaning behind this is that C allows the programmer to tell everything. Thus, anyone can easily program it the way we want. It is easy. | C++ is a more object-oriented high-level programming language that requires fixed construction and principles. However, it is easier to code. |
| Data Security | C does not adhere to the encapsulation concept and allows easy data manipulation from outside code. | C++ is a more secure programming language. |
What is C?
C is a general-purpose, structured programming language introduced for system development work, i.e., programs that make up the operating system. It acquired fame for several developments of applications, quicker execution, and simplicity.
It was created in 1972 by the scientist of computer Dennis Ritchie at the Bell Laboratories. C is known by the name of God's programming language, as it frames the foundation of a large number of the modern languages you could have been learning today, like Python, Java, C++, and some more.
The versatility and adaptability of C can be featured through the most well-known applications and programming built with this language. From dealing with various operating systems like Windows, Apple OS X, Symbian to portable and desktop operating systems; From Language compilers, Network Drivers to quite possibly the most known application like MYSQL, Adobe, and so on.
Key Features of C
C and C++, as we have read above, have their complexities, purposes, objectives, and benefits. Furthermore, prior to jumping on the correlation of C versus C++, we should learn about the features of the two of them as well.
Portable: The C programming language is versatile for various systems and platforms. This intends that if you have composed your code on one platform, you can port or run it on various platforms for updates or modifications. This is the reason why C is known as the machine-independent language.
Simple: C programming language is one of the oldest programming languages known for its effortlessness and user-friendly arrangement.
It shapes the base for some programming languages, and hence, numerous software engineers prefer C as a beginning stage.
Procedural Language: The C programming language utilizes a specific program flow to run the code. It breaks the code into small squares for differential functioning and limits the complexities.
Case Sensitive: The C programming language is case sensitive and will treat 'C' and 'c' as various variables.
Dynamic Memory Allocation: C supports dynamic memory allocation. It implies C allows memory space during the run time as well. It plays to the advantage of the developer since they can't know beforehand the space or memory expected while running the code.
Rich Library: To give developers a better and basic coding experience, C gives them a library with built-in or user-defined functions. C has a rich library that caters to shifted needs and necessities.
Speed: C language isn't just simple and productive. It is also quicker. In contrast with programming languages like Java and Python, C gives a rapid presentation as it is a compiler-based language.
What is C++?
C++ or C with Classes is a broadly useful object-oriented programming language utilized to make high-performing applications.
Before, the name knew C++ of C with classes as it was a combination of C and Simula67. It intends that with the properties of the C programming language, C++ also presented the concepts of classes and objects for user-defined data types.
The beginning of C++ returns to 1979, created by Bjarne Stroustrup. The thought behind C++ was, as the name proposes, to achieve a broadly useful language that should be restricted to a particular use. It is utilized with Operating systems, high-end libraries, cloud circulated systems, compilers, game designers, smartwatches, graphic applications, etc.
Today, C++ isn't simply an extension of the C programming language; in any case, with 3 current updates and high-end execution makes it is one of the well known and popular programming languages. Top-level organizations like Amazon, Facebook, Google, thus a lot more depending on the benefits of C++.
C++ forms the base for developers to find out about object-oriented programming in a less difficult and thorough way.
Key Features Of C++
Here are some features of the C++ programming language:
Static Type System: C++ is a compiler-based language. It truly intends that prior to executing or running the code, we want to utilize a compiler that makes it justifiable to the computer.
Quick and Powerful: As C++ is a compiler-based language, it upgrades and makes the execution of the code quicker.
In addition, with a broad variety of functions and information types, and so on, it makes the language strong and a definite decision for software engineers.
Pointers: A point in the C++ language holds the address of a specific object. A component permits developers to utilize pointers for interfacing with the functionality, exhibits, memory and designs with less code and quickly.
Object-Oriented Language: C++ was an augmentation of the procedural programming language C and incorporated the OOP (object-arranged programming) ideas.
C++ based on OOP ideas implies that it organizes improvement design around information and objects as opposed to the functions or rationale that follows upon them. Objects have properties and strategies related to them.
For instance, "kind of programming language" is a sort of class (blueprint for an object), Python, C++, C are various objects and highlights, benefits, and so on are the properties (information) of the object. Thus, the OOP concepts bind the information and functions together.
OOP incorporates Polymorphism, Encapsulation, Abstraction, Inheritance, and so on that assist with code support, prevent information repetitiveness, guarantee adaptability and effective problem solving, and so much more.
Extensible: C++ programming language is known for its extensibility since it is adaptable in adjusting to new elements and any changes in design.
Extra Features: It is to be noticed that since C++ is a superset of the programming language C, it incorporates every one of the features of C also, similar as dynamic memory allocation, rich library, organized programming, portability, etc.
C vs. C++: Which is better?
After reading about the core highlights, concepts, and the C and C++ differences, the inquiry "which one is better?"
There is no denying that C is a simple and effective programming language, which forms the base for many famous languages, including C++.
C++ is an extension of this language and with all of the highlights of C has the additional concepts of Object-oriented programming also as Encapsulation, conceptual, legacy, and so forth
Thus, let's see the advantages and also the disadvantages of both of them.
What is C and C++ utilized for?
The programming language known as C++ (or "C-plus-plus") is a broadly useful coding language utilized for game programming, software programming, information structures, creating programs, operating systems, applications, and that too for more than over forty years.
C Advantages
- Open-Source
- Organized Programming Language
- Functions that are built-in
- Reasonable decisions for carrying out data designs and algorithms.
- Portable Language
C Disadvantages
- The support of OOP concepts is missing
- No execution of namespaces
- Doesn't show special exception handling
- Run-time Check: Errors are identified not during the code but only after executing the code. It makes investigating complex for greater projects.
C++ Advantages
- Dynamic Memory Management
- Multi-layered Language that focuses on the rationale, style, and procedures of the program
- Rich Built-in Libraries
- Programming that is object-oriented
- Enormous Community
- Flooding interest in the midst of top-level organizations
- Keeps up with Scalability for low scope or high size of data.
C++ Disadvantages
- Complex Language
- Risk: C++ however have preferable safety efforts over C but since the accessibility of functions like pointers, worldwide factors, no garbage collection, and so forth can create issues like program crashing, unpredictable code checks,
- No garbage collection and a steady following of memory prompts mistakes and can cause memory corruption
Conclusion
The differences between C and C++ wraps dependent upon one conclusion as a software engineer, it's your choice to pick the language for your project.
After looking at the highlights, disadvantages, and benefits of both C and C++, you could make out that both languages are reasonable for various types of projects.
C is more reasonable for low programming level applications, yet also is one of the essential languages for a beginner.
C++ as an extension of this language that gives the extra OOP concepts that help to construct complex applications quicker, better, and more secure. Additionally, the interest in this language continues to a brilliant degree for engineers. Therefore, to settle on your unbiased choice on which one is between C and C++, you need a thorough reading of this article.
Hope this article helped you to know the differences between C and C++!