Difference Between C and C++

By Aina Parasher|Updated : May 11th, 2023

Both C and C++ are different programming languages. These programming languages appear to be similar but the difference between C and C++ is based on their features and usage. C and C++ are used in a wide range of applications, from a variety of development objectives, including game development, database system software, operating systems, GUI-based applications, and much more.

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The difference between C and C++ is that C is a procedural programming language that lacks object and class support while C++ is a more advanced version of C that includes support for object-oriented programming. Here, we will discuss C, C++, and the difference between C and C++ in the upcoming sections.

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Difference Between C and C++

The difference between C and C++ is that C is a procedural programming language that lacks object and class support whereas C++ is a more advanced version of C that includes support for object-oriented programming. More differences between C and C++ have been presented in the table given below.

We have provided the difference between C and C++ programming languages based on various parameters listed in the table below.

C

C++

Polymorphism, encapsulation, and inheritance are not supported in C, hence object-oriented programming is not possible.

Because it is an object-oriented programming language, C++ provides polymorphism, encapsulation, and inheritance.

C contains 32 keywords.

C++ contains 63 keywords.

C is a subset of C++.

C++ is a superset of C.

A program written in the C programming language has a .c file extension.

A C++ program's file extension is .cpp.

In C, data and functions are kept separate.

In C++, both data and functions are enclosed together.

Memory allocation is handled by the calloc() and malloc() routines.

For memory allocation, the new operator and free() are used.

C and C++

C and C++ are both programming languages that are widely used for developing software applications and system software. Both C and C++ are portable languages that can be compiled on different platforms. However, C++ has more complex syntax and features than C, which can make it harder to write portable code. Both languages have a similar syntax and code structure. Let us understand more about each language in detail.

Key Differences Between C and C++

The key differences between C and C++ are given below.

  • The C language is function-driven since procedural programming is used in it. On the other side, the C++ programming language is object-driven due to OOP (object-oriented programming).
  • C opposes the hiding of data and information whereas, through encapsulation, the C++ language hides the data.
  • Built-in data types are not supported by the C language. On the other hand, these data types are supported by the C++ language.

Similarity Between C and C++

Apart from the differences between C and C++, there are various other similarities between the two programming languages. The similarities between C and C++ are given below.

  • The syntax of the two languages is similar.
  • Both languages share the same code structure.
  • Both languages are constructed similarly.
  • They use the same fundamental syntax. The majority of the operators and keywords found in C are also found in C++ and perform the same functions.
  • Although the underlying grammar of C++ and C are the same, C++ has a significantly longer syntax.
  • Both have a basic memory model that closely resembles the hardware.

What is C Programming Language?

After discussing the difference between C and C++, let us check what is C language. C is a structured, general-purpose programming language that was created for system development work, i.e. programs that makeup operating systems. Because of its versatility, speed, and simplicity, it quickly became popular for a variety of application development projects.

The C programming language is a procedural or structural programming language. Dennis Ritchie of Bell Laboratories created it in 1972. This machine-independent programming language was created to allow utilities to operate on the Unix platform. It is now widely employed in a wide range of applications.

What is C++ Programming Language?

Bjarne Stroustrup of Bell Laboratories designed C++, a high-level computer programming language, in the early 1980s. It's an expansion of the classic C programming language that adds object-oriented programming and other features.

C++ is a computer language that is similar to low-level languages and is regarded as one of the quickest. It gives you total control over memory management and allocation. C++ is a programming language that is used to create complicated, high-performance programs. Because C++ is similar to C and Java, programmers will find it easier to learn and use these languages.

C vs C++: Which to Choose?

When deciding between C and C++, it is important to consider the specific needs and requirements of the project. Here are some factors to consider when choosing between C and C++:

If your project requires object-oriented programming (OOP) features, such as encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism, then C++ is the better choice. C does not support OOP features natively.
C++ supports the reuse of code through inheritance, templates, and polymorphism. If your project requires code reusability, then C++ is a better choice.
C++ supports automatic memory management using the RAII (Resource Acquisition Is Initialization) technique, which makes it less error-prone than C. In C, memory management must be done manually using functions such as malloc() and free().
Both C and C++ are high-performance languages, but C is generally faster than C++. C++ has more features and abstractions than C, which can result in a slight performance overhead.
C is a simpler language than C++ and has a smaller syntax. If you are new to programming or have limited experience, then C might be a better choice.

Applications of C and C++ Programming Languages

C and C++ are used in a wide range of applications, including:

ApplicationCC++
System softwareWidely usedWidely used
Embedded systemsWidely usedWidely used
Game developmentLess commonWidely used
Desktop applicationsLess commonWidely used
Web applicationsLess commonWidely used
Artificial IntelligenceLess commonWidely used
NetworkingWidely usedWidely used
SecurityWidely usedWidely used

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FAQs on Difference Between C and C++

  • The main difference between C and C++ is that C is a procedural programming language that does not support classes and objects. C++, on the other hand, is a C programming extension that includes support for object-oriented programming (OOP).

  • C is a machine-independent procedural or structural programming language that is widely utilized in a variety of applications. It is a fundamental programming language that can be used to create everything from operating systems like Windows to complex applications like Git, Python interpreter, Oracle database, and so on.

  • C++ is an object-oriented programming language that was created as an extension of the C language. As a result, in addition to the procedural language capabilities of C, C++ also supports object-oriented features. Polymorphism, inheritance, encapsulation, abstraction, and other concepts are examples.

  • Based on data security, the difference between C and C++ is that C lacks encapsulation, data behaves as a free entity that may be modified by other programs. Encapsulation, on the other hand, conceals data in C++ to guarantee that data structures and operations are utilized as intended.

  • Based on the features supported, the difference between C and C++ is that C does not support function and operator overloading, nor does it support namespaces or reference variables. C++, on the other hand, allows for function and operator overloading as well as the use of namespaces and reference variables.

  • C is a procedural language that is simple, quick, and low-level. C++, in a comparison to C, has more features, applications, libraries, and functions. C++ is a superior choice for the majority of folks.

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