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Home » C » Difference between C and C++
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Difference between C and C++

By Dinesh Thakur

In this tutorial, we shall explain the main difference between C and C++ languages. As we all know both C and C++ are programming languages and C++ language is a superset of the C language.

The main difference between these two languages is C is a general-purpose, procedural computer programming language supporting structured programming, lexical variable scope, and recursion, with a static type system. That’s machine-independent and broadly utilized in a variety of applications and doesn’t support classes and objects, whereas C++ is a combo of both procedural and object-oriented programming languages; hence C++ can be known as a hybrid language.

difference between C and C++C is frequently known as the mother of all programming language since it’s among the most popular programming languages. Right from the time, it had developed, C is now the most frequently used and favourite programming languages. The majority of the compilers and kernels written in C.

C is also known as a middle-level language since it binds the gap between a machine-level language and high-level languages. A user can utilize C language to perform System Programming as well as Application Programming.

You might have to use C when you’re low on resources and do not require object-oriented abilities. C language uses the set of instruction to inform the computer precisely what to do step by step. Its depend on the processes, more specific routines or subroutines. Since it follows the processes, therefore it adopts the top-down strategy.

C, FORTRAN, or Pascal are high-level language (HLL) that enables a developer to write programs which are more or less independent on a particular type of computer. Such languages believed high-level because they’re closer to human languages and further from machine languages.

For many people, C++ is a better option. It has more features, and for many people, it is going to be easier to understand and use. However, C remains applicable, and learning how to program in C may enhance the way you program in C++. Neither language isn’t the right choice, and the two have practical career applications.

Many beginning programmers will understand C before C++ as a result of the straightforwardness of the language. As a procedural language, it is often easier for novices to grasp. By studying C first, developers may get acclimated to the procedural side of the language and learn object-oriented programming via C++.

Generally, C or C++ are used in operating systems due to the speed and strongly typed nature of those languages. C++ works on a hardware level and can be a relatively low-level language. As a result of this reason, its use in several compilers as a backend programming language.

Differences between C and C++

The following are the important differences C vs C++.

Sr
AttributeCC++
1IntroductionC was developed by Dennis Ritchie in around 1969 at AT&T Bell Labs.Bjarne Stroustrup developed C++ in 1979.
2Language TypeAs mentioned before C is procedural programming and does not support the OOPs.C++ supports both procedural and object-oriented programming paradigms.
3ApproachC language Support top down approachC++ Support bottom-up approach.
4File extensionC language file extenion is .cC++ file extenion is .cpp
5Program divisionIn C language divide a massive program into small pieces which are called functions.C++ programming language divides an extensive program into Objects and Classes.
6Inline functionC does not Support inline Function.C language Support inline Function.
7Standard I/O operationsIn C scanf() and printf() functions used for the standard input and output. In C++ cin, and cout are used for standard input and output operations.‬ ‬‬‬
8Data SecurityIn C data is not secured and can manipulate by outside code.C++ encapsulation hides the data to ensure external functions can’t access it.
9Compatibility with other languagesC is not compatible with another language.C++ is consistent with other languages.
10Pointer and Reference variable supportC does not support Reference variables it supports Pointers only.C++ supports reference variables and pointers.
11Variable DeclarationIn C, the variable can declare at the beginning.In C++, you declare variables anywhere in the Function.
12Operator Overloading supportedC does not support function and operator overloading.C++ supports both function and operator overloading.
13Data TypesC language supports built-in data types.C++ supports both Built-in & user-defined data types.
14Exception HandlingException handling is not supported by C.C++ support Exception handling.
15Default ArrangementsC Does not support functions with default arrangements.C++ support functions with default arrangements.
16NamespaceC does not have Namespace features.C++ have Namespace.
17KeywordsC contains 32 keywords.C++ contains 52 keywords.
18Driven typeC, generally called function-driven language.C++ is known as object driven language.
19RelationshipC is a subset of C++.C++ is a superset of C.
20Data focusC focuses on method or procedure.C++ focuses on data instead of method or procedure.
21Inheritance SupportC does not support inheritance.C++ supports inheritance.
22Function supportC does not support Virtual and friend functions.C++ support Virtual and friend functions.
23Header file SupportC support stdio.hC++ support iostream.h.
24Data and FunctionC support Data and functions separately.C++ support Data and functions they encapsulated together.
25Memory AllocationC support malloc() and calloc() functions for memory allocation, and free() for memory de-allocation. C++ support new operator for memory allocation and delete operator for memory de-allocation.
26EncapsulationC Does not support encapsulation.C++ supports encapsulation.
27Data hidingC does not support data hiding.C++ support data hiding.
28Data MappingIn C mapping between Data and Function is complicated. C++ mapping between Data and Function can quickly establish using “Classes and Objects.”
29Virtual FunctionC support virtual Functions.C++ does not support virtual Function.

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About Dinesh Thakur
Dinesh ThakurDinesh Thakur holds an B.C.A, MCDBA, MCSD certifications. Dinesh authors the hugely popular Computer Notes blog. Where he writes how-to guides around Computer fundamental , computer software, Computer programming, and web apps.

Dinesh Thakur is a Freelance Writer who helps different clients from all over the globe. Dinesh has written over 500+ blogs, 30+ eBooks, and 10000+ Posts for all types of clients.


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