C Programming VS C++ Programming

C OR C++

INTRODUCTION:

What is C?

C language was developed by the great computer scientist Dennis Ritchie at the Bell Laboratories. It contains some additional features that make it unique from other programming languages. C is the basic programming language that can be used to develop from the operating systems (like Windows) to complex programs like Oracle database, Git, Python interpreter, and many more. C programming language forms the base for other programming languages.

What is C++?

C++ is a special-purpose programming language developed by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs circa 1980. C++ language is very similar to C language, and it is so compatible with C that it can run 99% of C programs without changing any source of code though C++ is an object-oriented programming language, so it is safer and well-structured programming language than C.

WHAT MAKES C DIFFERENT FROM C++?

1. Definition:

C is a structural programming language, and it does not support classes and objects, while C++ is an object-oriented programming language that supports the concept of classes and objects.

2. Type of programming language:

C supports the structural programming language where the code is checked line by line, while C++ is an object-oriented programming language that supports the concept of classes and objects.

3. Developer of the language:

Dennis Ritchie developed C language at Bell Laboratories while Bjarne Stroustrup developed the C++ language at Bell Labs circa 1980.

4. Subset:

C++ is a superset of C programming language. C++ can run 99% of C code but C language cannot run C++ code.

5. Type of approach:

C follows the top-down approach, while C++ follows the bottom-up approach. The top-down approach breaks the main modules into tasks; these tasks are broken into sub-tasks, and so on. The bottom-down approach develops the lower level modules first and then the next level modules.

6. Security:

In C, the data can be easily manipulated by the outsiders as it does not support the encapsulation and information hiding while C++ is a very secure language, i.e., no outsiders can manipulate its data as it supports both encapsulation and data hiding. In C language, functions and data are the free entities, and in C++ language, all the functions and data are encapsulated in the form of objects.

7. Reference variables:

C does not support the reference variables, while C++ supports the reference variables.

8. Exception handling:

C does not provide direct support to the exception handling; it needs to use functions that support exception handling. C++ provides direct support to exception handling by using a try-catch block.

9. Inheritance:

Inheritance is a feature that allows the child class to reuse the properties of the parent class. C language does not support the inheritance while C++ supports the inheritance.

10. Function Overriding:

Function overriding is a feature that provides the specific implementation to the function, which is already defined in the base class. C does not support the function overriding, while C++ supports the function overriding.

CONCLUSION:

To sum it up, we can conclude the following:

C is most useful for embedded systems, or applications that require the ability to be light-weight and have precise control over system resources. C is lacking a lot of the functionality that more contemporary languages feature, but remains a core tool for Unix developers. When we set out to build an embedded system, we should first consider using C.

C++ has the same advantages as C, but with more features. C++ has a steep learning curve that makes it less approachable by a novice programmer. Big applications should not be written in C++, but a small to medium sized applications can be written in C++ for added speed and scalability. Programs that require speed, scalability, and are not massive, should consider using C++. We should have a good idea of when it might be appropriate to use each language.

What other differences can be applied on the former mentioned languages? Update us on the differences you know about C vs C++. Share them in the comments below.

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