Difference between C and C++

In this article, I discuss the differences between C and C++. Both are great programming languages, each with its unique strengths and use cases. Below, I share a brief overview of the key differences between them.

When it comes to coding, C and C++ are like siblings - they share some traits, but they're also pretty different.

Origin

C was created by Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs in the early 1970s. It was designed as a general-purpose, procedural programming language with a focus on system programming and low-level manipulation.

On the other hand, C++ was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup. C++ was conceived as an extension of C, incorporating the principles of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) while retaining compatibility with C code.

Programming Paradigms

One of the most significant distinctions between C and C++ lies in their programming paradigms.

C is primarily a procedural programming language, where programs are organized around functions or procedures.
In contrast, C++ is both a procedural and object-oriented programming language. It introduces concepts like classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation.

Memory Management

Memory management is another area where C and C++ diverge significantly.

In C, memory allocation and deallocation are handled explicitly by the programmer using functions like malloc() and free(). While this level of control offers flexibility, it also opens the door to memory leaks and segmentation faults if mismanaged.
C++, on the other hand, introduces the concept of constructors and destructors, along with dynamic memory allocation operators new and delete.
Additionally, C++ provides smart pointers like std::unique_ptr and std::shared_ptr, which automate memory management and help mitigate common pitfalls associated with manual memory allocation.

Standard Libraries and Features

Both C and C++ come with standard libraries that provide essential functions and data types for common programming tasks. However, C++ expands upon the C standard library, incorporating additional features tailored to its object-oriented nature.

C++ introduces features like templates, exception handling, namespaces, and the Standard Template Library (STL), which offers a rich collection of generic algorithms and containers.

These features enhance code readability, maintainability, and reusability, fostering a more productive development experience compared to C.

Examples

Below is a "Hello, World!" program written in C and C++.

C Program

#include 

int main() {
    printf("Hello, World!\n");
    return 0;
}

C++ Program

#include 

int main() {
    std::cout << "Hello, World!" << std::endl;
    return 0;
}

Conclusion

In conclusion, while C and C++ share a common heritage and syntax, they diverge in significant ways that reflect their respective design philosophies and intended use cases. C excels in system programming and performance-critical applications, offering precise control over hardware resources. On the other hand, C++ embraces the modern software development paradigm, providing a rich set of features for building robust, maintainable, and scalable software systems.