Key Difference between C and C++
- C is a Procedural Oriented language, whereas C++ is an Object-Oriented Programming language.
- C supports only Pointers, whereas C++ supports both pointers and references.
- C does not allow you to use function overloading, whereas C++ allows you to use function overloading.
- C supports built-in data types, whereas C++ supports built-in as well as user-defined data types.
- C language follows the Top-Down programming approach, whereas C++ follows a bottom-up programming approach.
- C scan and printf are used for the standard input and output, while in C++, cin and cout are given for standard input and output operations.
What is C programming language?
C is middle-level programming language which was developed at Bell Lab in 1972 by Dennis Ritchie. C language combines the features of Low level as well as High-level Language. Hence its considered a middle-level Language.
C is a high-level classical type programming language that allows you to develop firmware and portable applications. The C language was developed with an objective of writing system software. It is an ideal language for developing firmware systems.
What is C++ programming language?
C++ is a computer programming language that contains the feature of C programming language as well as Simula67( a first object Oriented language). C++ introduced the concept of Class and Objects.
It encapsulates high and low-level language features. So, it is seen as an intermediate level language. Earlier it was called “C with classes” as it had all the properties of the C language.
Difference between Difference Between C and C++
| Basis of distinction | C | C++ |
|---|---|---|
| Programming type | It is a Procedural Oriented language. | It is an Object-Oriented Programming language. |
| Approach | C language follows Top Down programming approach | C++ follow bottom-up programming approach. |
| File extension | The file extension of a C program is .c | The file extension of a c+ + program language is.cpp |
| Program division | In C programming language, a big program code is divided into small pieces which is called functions. | In C++ programming language, a big program code is divided into Objects and Classes. |
| Structure | Structure in C not provide the feature of function declaration. | Structure in C++ provides the feature of declaring a function as a member function of the structure. |
| Inline function | It does not allow inline function. | It supports inline function. |
| Standard I/O operations | In C scan and printf are used for the standard input and output | In C++ cin» and cout« are given for standard input and output operations. |
| Data Security | In C language the data is not secured. | Data is secure, so it can’t be accessed by external functions. (Using Encapsulation concept of OOPs) |
| Ease of Coding | C is an older programming language that is described as Hands-on. In this language, you must tell the program to do everything. Moreover, this language will let you do almost anything. | C++ is an extension language of C. It allows for the highly controlled object-oriented code. |
| Compatibility with other languages | C is not compatible with another language. | C++ is compatible with the other generic programming languages. |
| Pointer | C supports only Pointers. | C++ supports both pointers and references. |
| Variable | In C, the variable should be defined at the beginning of the program. | C++ allows you to declare variables anywhere in the function. |
| Point of Focus | C focuses on the steps or procedures that are followed to solve a problem. | C++ emphasizes the objects and not the steps or procedures. It has higher abstraction level. |
| Function Overloading | C does not allow you to use function overloading. | C++ allows you to use function overloading. |
| Data Types | C language does not allows you to declare String or Boolean data types. It supports built-in and primitive data types. | C++ supports String and Boolean data types. |
| Exception Handling | C does not support Exception Handling. However, it can be performed using some workarounds. | C++ supports Exception handling. Moreover, this operation can be performed using try and catch block. |
| Functions | Does not allows functions with default arrangements | Allow functions with default arrangements. |
| Namespace | It is absent in C language. | It is present in the C++ language. |
| Source Code | Free-format program source code. | Originally developed from the C programming language. |
| Relationship | C is a subset of C++. It cannot run C++ code. | C++ is a superset of C. C++ can run most of C code while C cannot run C++ code. |
| Driven by | Function-driven language | Object-driven language |
| Focus | Focuses on method or process instead of data. | Focuses on data instead of method or procedure. |
| Encapsulation | Does not support encapsulation. As Data and functions are separate and free entities. | Supports encapsulation. Data and functions are encapsulated together as an object. |
| Information hiding | C does not support information hiding. In this language, data are free entities and can be changed outside code. | Encapsulation hides the data. So that data structures and operators are used as per intention. |
| Memory management | C provide malloc() and calloc() functions for dynamic memory allocation. | C++ provides a new operator for this purpose. |
| Data Types | Supports built-in data types. | Supports built-in & user-defined data types. |
| Global Variables | Allows Multiple Declaration of global variables. | Multiple Declaration of global variables are not allowed. |
| Concept of Mapping | The mapping between Data and Function is very complicated. | The mapping between Data and Function can be easily established using “Classes and Objects.” |
| Inheritance | Inheritance is not supported C | Inheritance is possible in C++ language. |
| Default header file | C used stdio.h header file. | C++ uses iosteam.h as default header file. |
| Virtual function | The concept of virtual Functions are present in C. | The concept of virtual Function is not used in C++. |
| Keywords | Contain 32 keywords. | Contains 52 keywords. |
| Polymorphism | In C. Polymorphism is not possible | The concept of polymorphism is used in C++. Polymorphism is one of the most Important Features of OOPS. |
| GUI programming | C language offers GTK tool for GUI programming | C++ supports Qt tools for GUIprogramming |
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