Difference between C and C++: Which Language is Better?

When starting to learn programming, we may encounter the risk of confusion between the two programming languages ​​​​C and C++. Many people often combine them into a concept called C/C++, which can lead to the misunderstanding that these two languages ​​​​are completely the same. In reality, the two languages ​​sound similar, just two plus signs after them, and their features and usage have significant differences. Coders must carefully distinguish between these two programming languages, especially when some projects only use the C language. In this article, Skilltrans will explain the differences between C and C++, two famous low-level programming languages. 

What is the C Language?

C is a computer programming language developed by Dennis M. Ritchie at Bell Labs in the 1970s. The C programming language was first used on the UNIX operating system. The main data types of C contain integer types, character types, real numbers, etc. C is used for system programming, which is still widely used today because of its flexibility and efficiency.

Some features of the C programming language are:

• High portability: Programs written in C can be compiled and run on many different platforms.

• Fast processing speed: C allows direct access to memory and system resources, helping to optimize program performance.

• Easy interaction with hardware: Programmers can interact directly with hardware by using specific memory addresses.

• High reliability: It is possible to write stable and reliable programs because C strictly evaluates memory access and data type errors.

What is C++ Language?

C++ is a programming language developed in 1980 by Bjarne Stroustrup. C++ is considered a middle-level language as an extension of the C programming language. Its outstanding features include:

• OOP support: C++ allows programmers to define classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation in the program.

• Multi-platform: C++ permits application development on many different platforms, such as Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS.

• High performance: C++ is designed to optimize program performance with the ability to directly interact with hardware and manage memory effectively.

• Security: C++ can handle sensitive data. So, it is widely used in security and financial applications.

• C++ is applied in many fields: system software development, video games, web applications, multimedia technology, and embedded systems.

Similarities between C and C++

C and C++ are closely related programming languages, with C++ being a superset of C. Here are some of the key similarities between the two:

• Both languages ​​have similar syntax.

• The code structure of both languages ​​is similar.

• The complexity of both languages ​​is similar.

• They have the same basic syntax. Almost all operators and keywords of C are in C++ and have similar functions.

• C++ has more extended semantics than C, but the basic grammar is the same.

• The basic memory model of both is very close to the hardware.

• Both languages ​​have similar concepts of stack, heap, file scope, and static variables.

Differences between C and C++

While C and C++ share many similarities, they also have several key differences:

Examples of C and C++

Examples of adding two integers

C

#include<stdio.h>

int main(){

int x, y, sum=0;

printf("Enter the two integers x and y: ");

scanf("%d %d", &x, &y);

// sum two integers

sum = x + y;

printf("%d + %d = %d", x, y, sum);

return 0;

}

C++

#include<iostream>

using namespace std;

void main() {

int a, b, sum=0;

cout<<"Enter the value for two integers: ";

cin>>a>>b;

// calculate the sum of two numbers stored in the variable sum

sum = a + b;

// print the sum of two numbers

cout<<a<< " + " <<b<< " = " <<sum;

return 0;

}

Should I Learn C or C++?

C and C++ are two programming languages ​​that are widely used in the field of information technology. They are considered basic programming languages. However, C++ provides more features than C, such as polymorphism, inheritance, and data encapsulation. It makes C++ more suitable for developing more complex applications that require higher performance.

C++ is applied in video games, financial applications, and computer science. In addition, C++ is also used in embedded applications, device control, network communications, and image processing.

Meanwhile, C is a more basic programming language, which is often utilized in embedded applications and operating systems. It provides programmers with essential knowledge of computer architecture. Learning C can help you understand the basics of programming, optimize machine code, and develop fundamental applications.

In short, choosing C or C++ depends on your purpose and goals. If you are looking for a basic programming language to learn, C is a good choice. If you want to develop more complex applications that require higher performance, then C++ will be the right choice.

Conclusion

C and C++ have their strengths and are suited for different types of projects. C, with its simplicity and close-to-hardware nature, is ideal for system-level programming, embedded systems, and situations where low-level memory management is crucial. C++, on the other hand, offers a richer feature set, including object-oriented programming, making it better suited for large-scale software development, game development, and applications that require complex data structures and high-level abstractions.

Both languages are powerful tools in a developer's arsenal, and understanding their differences can help you select the right language for your needs.

If you are still undecided about which language to study or have already chosen the language you will learn, you can join Skilltrans courses. We have useful courses to aid you firmly on your career path.