C++ versus C

Will “C” disappear? – No!

C++ Development Environments are usually quite large.

Object-oriented programs that use complex class hierarchies can compile to large executable modules that do not run as efficiently as their C language procedural counterparts. “C” is often better for device drivers and embedded applications.

Take Note:

• C++ keywords can cause a problem when compiling “C”, if the “C” program used those words as identifiers.
• “C” programs may omit the prototypes, but C++ programs cannot.
• C++ compiler requires keyword void when the parameter list is empty – C does not.

C++ can be used without its classes, just to be able to use:

• Inline functions instead of macros
• const variables instead of #define
• new and delete instead of free and malloc
• Streams for I/O

If you are willing to use some classes, then you can also use:

• The C++ string class to replace the character array processing of <cstring>
• The C++ try/catch/throw exception handling instead of the setjmp/longjmp functions of C