C++ Fundamentals: Understanding the Basics

Difference Between C and C++ Programming Languages

Difference Between C and C++ Programming Languages

The Programming languages C and C++ are used to create a variety of things, including operating systems, databases, games, and apps. Although C and C++ seems to have similar elements, they differ in terms of functionality and application. Because it is a structured programming language, C somehow doesn't provide objects and classes. The object-oriented programming language C++ is an improved version of the C programming language. We'll talk about the differences between C and C++ programming languages in this blog. We'll also comprehend the distinctions between C and C++.

C Programming Language

The C programming language was created by Dennis Ritchie in 1972 at Bell Laboratories. Several object-oriented scripting languages, including C++, a superset of C, and Java, an extension of C++, have their roots in the C language. The language was initially created to let people can write and create operating system-building programmes. All of the programmes and utilities that make up UNIX OS were initially built in C. Additionally, the C programming language was used to create programmes like compilers, text editors, assemblers, drivers, databases, and other useful utilities.

What is C Programming Language?

The C programming language is also sometimes referred to as God's programming language. One reason for this is that it serves as the foundation for many other programming languages. A user can conceivably learn some other programming language if they are familiar with the C language. It is different from other programming languages in that it contains a few extra features.

The "Procedural Programming" concept forms the basis for the C language. This indicates that this programming language offers procedures a higher priority over data.

Several issues occurred as a result of the procedural programming principle's emphasis on procedures rather than data, particularly with regards to expanding and sustaining software. Its replacement, C++, came into play at that point. This provides its data and related functions in it top priority. The C programming language is also incompatible with other general-purpose programming languages. There are chances that you will face interview questions related to C programming in any tech domain.

Features of C Programming

1. Simple and Efficient
2. Fast
3. Portability
4. Extensibility
5. Function-rich libraries
6. Dynamic Memory Management
7. Modularity With Structured Language
8. Mid-Level Programming Language
9. Pointers
10. Recursion

Applications of C programming

1. Embedded System
2. Google
3. Design of a Compiler
4. Operating Systems
5. GUI (Graphical User Interface)
6. New Programming Platforms
7. MySQL
8. Gaming and Animations
9. Mozilla Firefox and thunderbird
10. Translators of high-level languages into machine language

C Programming Language Example

We Will discuss some of the C programming languages:

1. Hello World Program

#include <stdio.h>
int main(){
printf("Hello World!!");
return 0;
}

Output:
Hello World!

2. Program check Leap Year

#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int year;
printf("Enter a year: ");
scanf("%d", &year);
// leap year if perfectly divisible by 400
if (year % 400 == 0) {
printf("%d is a leap year.", year);
}
// not a leap year if divisible by 100
// but not divisible by 400
else if (year % 100 == 0) {
printf("%d is not a leap year.", year);
}
// leap year if not divisible by 100
// but divisible by 4
else if (year % 4 == 0) {
printf("%d is a leap year.", year);
}
// all other years are not leap years
else {
printf("%d is not a leap year.", year);
}
return 0;
}

Output:

Enter a year: 2016

2016 is a leap year.

3. Program to reverse a number

#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int n, reverse = 0, remainder;
printf("Enter an integer: ");
scanf("%d", &n);
while (n != 0) {
remainder = n % 10;
reverse = reverse * 10 + remainder;
n /= 10;
}
printf("Reversed number = %d", reverse);
return 0;
}

Output:

Enter an integer: 1234

Reversed number: 4321

4. Program to check whether a number is prime or not

#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int n, i, flag = 0;
printf("Enter a positive integer: ");
scanf("%d", &n);
// 0 and 1 are not prime numbers
// change flag to 1 for non-prime number
if (n == 0 || n == 1)
flag = 1;
for (i = 2; i <= n / 2; ++i) {
// if n is divisible by i, then n is not prime
// change flag to 1 for non-prime number
if (n % i == 0) {
flag = 1;
break;
}
}
// flag is 0 for prime numbers
if (flag == 0)
printf("%d is a prime number.", n);
else
printf("%d is not a prime number.", n);
return 0;
}

Output:

Enter a positive integer: 31

31 is a prime number

C++ Programming Language

The object-oriented C++ programming language was created as a C language extension. As a result, in addition to the procedural language capabilities from C, C++ also supports object-oriented features. The Object-Oriented Programming paradigm serves as the foundation for the C++ programming language (OOPs). The characteristics of object-based programming are under the umbrella of object-oriented programming.

What is C++ Programming Language?

C++ programming language combines all the attributes of object-based programming and overcomes its constraints through the use of inheritance, allowing you to use programming to solve problems based on real-world scenarios. Object-oriented programming was developed to address the shortcomings of conventional programming methods. The OOPs approach was created based on a few ideas that help it accomplish its goal of outperforming the shortcomings or shortcomings of conventional programming methodologies.

Examples include abstraction, encapsulation, polymorphism, inheritance, and more.

The C++ language and the C language are very similar. This language is so compatible with C that it can execute 99 percent of C programmes without the need to modify their source codes. An object-oriented programming language is C++. In comparison to the C language, it is safer and better organized. It is easy to learn and thus help developers to get started with work on some innovative project ideas.

Features of C++

1. OOP(Object Oriented Programming)
2. Simple
3. Platform Dependent
4. Mid-Level Programming Language
5. Speed
6. Compiler-based
7. Dynamic Memory Allocation
8. Existence of Libraries
9. Case Sensitive
10. Multi-threading

Applications of C++ Programming

1. GUI based Applications
2. Games
3. Operating System
4. Web Browsers
5. Libraries
6. Banking Applications
7. Cloud/Distributed System
8. Databases
9. Embedded Systems
10. Compilers
11. Switches

C++ Language Example

We Will discuss some of the C++ programming languages:

1. Hello World Program

#include <iostream>
int main() {
std::cout << "Hello World!";
return 0;
}

Output:
Hello World!

2. Program to check Leap Year

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int year;
cout << "Enter a year: ";
cin >> year;
if ((year % 4 == 0 && year % 100 != 0) || year % 400 == 0) {
cout << year << " is a leap year.";
}
else {
cout << year << " is not a leap year.";
}
return 0;
}

Output:

Enter a year: 1900

1900 is not a leap year.

3. Program to reverse a number:

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int n, reversed_number = 0, remainder;
cout << "Enter an integer: ";
cin >> n;
while(n != 0) {
remainder = n % 10;
reversed_number = reversed_number * 10 + remainder;
n /= 10;
}
cout << "Reversed Number = " << reversed_number;
return 0;
}

Output:

Enter an integer: 1234

Reversed number: 4321

4. Program to check whether a number is prime or not

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int i, n;
bool is_prime = true;
cout << "Enter a positive integer: ";
cin >> n;
// 0 and 1 are not prime numbers
if (n == 0 || n == 1) {
is_prime = false;
}
// loop to check if n is prime
for (i = 2; i <= n/2; ++i) {
if (n % i == 0){
is_prime = false;
break;
}
}
if (is_prime)
cout << n << " is a prime number";
elsecout << n << " is not a prime number";
return 0;
}

Output:
Enter a positive integer: 31
31 is a prime number

To get a detailed knowledge about C++ you can opt for Data Structures and Algorithms with C++ Course and get a certifications to boost your career.

Difference between C and C++

C

C++

It does not support Object Oriented Programming.

It supports Object Oriented Programming.

It is function driven Language

It is object driven language.

Data Security is negligible.

Data Security is high.

Program divided into functions

Program divided into classes and objects.

Standard I/O operations are performed using scanf/printf

Standard I/O operations are performed using cout/cin.

Variables need to be declared at the beginning.

Variables can be declared anywhere in the program.

Cannot have functions as structure members.

Can have functions as structure members.

Built-in data types is supported in C

Built-in & user-defined data types is supported in C++.


Namespace features are not present inside the C.

Namespace is used by C++, which avoid name collisions.

Reference variables are not supported by C

Reference variables are supported by C++

C follows the top-down approach

C++ follows bottom-up approach

Does not support overloading 

Support overloading

Memory Mangement is done using Malloc(), calloc(), free() functions.

Memory Management is done using New() and delete() operators.

Exception/error handling has no direct support.

Exception/error handling is supported

You can do graphical-based programming in C using the GTK tool

You can do graphical-based programming in C++ using the QT tool.

There are a total of 32 keywords in the C programming language.

C++ supports a total of 63 keywords.

Since C is a procedural programming language, the data and functions stay separate in it.

In the case of C++, the data and functions stay encapsulated in an object’s form.

The C language does not support virtual and friend functions.

The C++ language supports virtual and friend functions.

Similarities Between C and C++

  • The syntax of the two languages is identical.
  • 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.
  • Both languages share the same concepts of a stack, heap, file-scope, and static variables.

With the knowledge of C and C++, you can get a basic understanding of programming and can get best career options.

C vs C++: Which to Pick?

There are some circumstances where C or C++ might be the preferable choice.

At the professional level, C++ is the language that is used the most frequently worldwide. As was already stated, C++ proficiency is a need for many programming jobs in the workforce.

It's uncommon to find a program written entirely in C, and more apps are written completely in C++. However operating systems using C as their primary language are recognized to incorporate C++ in other places to increase flexibility and depth.

If you're a complete rookie to programming, mastering object-oriented C++ will provide your abilities that are applicable to other programming languages, OOPs with Java, JavaScript, and Python being the best examples.

Actually, C++ is a superset of C. In a.cpp file, you can write C code. C++ can make use of libraries that C can. You must utilise C++ if you want to design applications that use oops principles, generic programming, and sophisticated data structures.

Additionally, because C++ includes the majority of the necessary data structures as libraries, it is superior for writing code quickly and in less lines. C++ is still an option if you're dealing with kernel-level programming, but since C is a simpler language and has a lighter compiler than C++, it will likely be utilised more frequently.

Conclusion

Simply said, the major distinction between C and C++ is that the former is a procedural language without support for objects or classes, while the other is a blend of procedural and object-oriented programming languages. You can choose which language is better for your projects by understanding the features, applications, drawbacks, and differences between C and C++.