C vs C++

C and C++ are both programming
languages. C is a procedural programming language whereas C++ is an
object oriented programming language. There were certain drawbacks in
the C language. That is why, C++ was developed.

The C language


C is a computer programming language developed in 1972 at Bell Labs. It was mainly designed to be used with the UNIX operating system.
Apart from developing system software, C language is also used to
develop portable application software. Structural programming is
provided by the C language and it allows recursion as well as lexical
variable scope. Unintended operations are prevented by static type
system.


Functions contain all the executable code on the C language and the
parameters of the functions are passed by value. Pointer values are used
when functions parameters are passed by reference. To terminate a
statement, semicolon is used.


Following are the characteristics of the C language:

• Ad-hoc run time polymorphism is supported by data and function pointers.

• Reserved keywords are small.

• A wide variety of compound operators such as ++, -=, += etc.

• Conditional compilation, file inclusion of source code and a macro definition preprocessor.

A set of functions are used in C language. Each program in C language is executed in a function called “main function.”


C++ Language


C++ is also a computer programming language. C++ is a high level and
object oriented language. C++ is the most commonly used among all
programming languages. C++ was developed at Bell Laboratories and it
termed as the enhanced version of C language. The features of C++
language include templates, classes, operator overloading and virtual
functions. Exception handling and multiple inheritances were also
introduced in C++. As compared the C language, more type checking is
available in C++.


As it is considered as the enhanced version of C language, most of
the features of C language are maintained in C++. Even the C++ compilers
are able to run programs created in C. However, some code written in C
may be incompatible with C++ compilers.


C++ was originally developed for UNIX system. The code written in C++
is reusable which means that modification can be done in the code
without changing it. C++ is portable also which means it is independent
of operating system or it does not require specific hardware.


Class is another important feature introduced in C++. The code can be
organized with the help of classes. By using classes, bugs can be
removed as well as corrected easily.

Difference between C and C++ • C is a procedural programming language whereas C++ is an object oriented programming language. • C++ introduced the concept of polymorphism, inheritance overloading whereas these are not present in C language. • Object oriented approach such as objects and classes is used in C++ language. • Although most of the C programs can be compiled using C++ compilers but still some programs may be incompatible.