C and C++ are two widely used programming languages, each catering to different development needs. C is a procedural language focusing on functions and procedures, while C++ extends C with Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) capabilities, making it a multi-paradigm language.
|
Aspect |
C |
C++ |
|
Paradigm |
Procedural Programming (focus on functions and procedures). |
Multi-Paradigm: Supports both Procedural and Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). |
|
Aspect |
C |
C++ |
|
Classes/Objects |
Not supported. |
Supports classes and objects for OOP. |
|
Encapsulation |
Uses structures for grouping data but lacks access control. |
Provides access control (private, protected, public) in classes. |
|
Inheritance |
Not supported. |
Supported for code reuse and hierarchy. |
|
Polymorphism |
Not supported. |
Supported via function overloading, operator overloading, and virtual functions. |
|
Aspect |
C |
C++ |
|
Standard Input/Output |
Uses printf and scanf. |
Uses cin and cout with the << and >> operators. |
|
Function Overloading |
Not supported. |
Supported (e.g., multiple functions with the same name but different arguments). |
|
Operator Overloading |
Not supported. |
Supported (e.g., redefine +, -, etc., for custom behavior). |
|
Namespace |
Not supported. |
Supported (namespace helps avoid name conflicts). |
|
Inline Functions |
Uses macros for inline code. |
Supports inline functions with inline keyword. |
|
Default Arguments |
Not supported. |
Supported for function parameters. |
|
Aspect |
C |
C++ |
|
Dynamic Memory |
Uses malloc and free. |
Uses new and delete. |
|
Smart Pointers |
Not available. |
Supported (std::unique_ptr, std::shared_ptr). |
|
RAII (Resource Acquisition Is Initialization) |
Not supported. |
Supported, helps manage resources effectively. |
|
Aspect |
C |
C++ |
|
Structures |
Only holds data. |
Supports member functions in structures. |
|
STL (Standard Template Library) |
Not available. |
Provides a rich collection of templates like vectors, lists, maps, and algorithms. |
|
Aspect |
C |
C++ |
|
File Extension |
.c |
.cpp |
|
Backward Compatibility |
N/A |
Fully compatible with C code (C++ can use most C code with minor changes). |
|
Compilation |
Requires a C compiler. |
Requires a C++ compiler. Most modern C++ compilers can also compile C code. |
|
Feature |
C |
C++ |
|
Focus |
Procedural programming. |
Procedural + Object-Oriented Programming. |
|
Ease of Use |
Low-level language, less abstracted. |
Higher abstraction, more developer-friendly. |
|
Code Reusability |
Relatively low. |
Higher due to OOP and templates. |
|
Performance |
High (low-level control). |
High, but slightly reduced due to added features. |