Comparative advantages between C vs C++ for new projects [closed]_问答_开发者

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, visit the help center for guidance. Closed 12 years ago.

For each new low-level program or library I write on POSIX systems, I always have to start out with the initial decision: do I write it in vanilla C, or do I go with C++? I like to think that each time I'm making a relatively informed decision, but I wonder if there's something I'm missing.

This isn't a which is better question, but rather, what aspects of each are better? Presumably, each has compelling strengths. In which cases should I chose the one instead of the other?

For example, below are some of the points I consider. What else am I missing?

Favoring C

Compatibility: Virtually every language and framework has some mechanism for interfacing with code written in C.

开发者_如何学JAVA

Simplicity: Debugging template code makes you age faster
Popularity: Think of all your favorite applications, servers, interpreters, and other tools. Chances are most of them are written in C, even though C++ was available when they started. All the cool kids use C.

Favoring C++

The STL: You certainly could implement your own RB-tree, quicksort algorithm, or double-linked list. But it probably won't be as good.
Templates: Sure, it's a pre-processor function masquerading as a language feature, but it sure is convenient.
Classes: C++ isn't exactly smalltalk, but at least it's not fancy assembly language either.
Compatibility: You can still use C in a C++ project.

I think you're making it more complicated than it really is. Which language are you better at in expressing your idea? If neither, and if you're a beginner at both, use C; otherwise if you're good at both pick what you feel like. Otherwise it doesn't matter nearly as much as just starting.

Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?

The Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to

Alice: I don't much care where.

The Cat: Then it doesn't much matter which way you go.

Alice: so long as I get somewhere.

The Cat: Oh, you're sure to do that, if only you walk long enough.

C++ simply has many more features than C. That makes it a more complex language. But the benefit of using these features is that you will have to write (and maintian) less code.

You're not required to use templates, stl, exceptions, function overloads, or whatever C++ feature. But if your problem needs just one of these features, your program will be more readable if you do it in C++, rather than emulating the missing functionality in C.

You forgot to mention that in C++ there are destructors that are called automatically, so when used correctly (RAII) you don't need to worry about resource deallocation. Another good feature are exceptions that could make the error handling easier and more maintainable.

For myself, there is only two reasons to use C. First is if you need the code to be extremely portable (going to be used as a library in different languages and/or operating systems), and second if you need raw speed, which usually isn't a big deal as C++ typically performs only slightly slower than c (not including OO features).

I really enjoy the OO features of C++, which if used properly can make life a lot easier when developing applications.

It sounds like you favor C over C++. I do too. However, ease of use is the most important factor in programming. C++ has better string support and more libraries, so for non-trivial projects, such as database access and stuff like that, go with C++. If you are aiming to be cross platform and maybe want to work on a lower level, use C. Besides, they're both the same anyway.

C++ is better in almost every way: safer, more efficient, works better in large projects... The only exception is that you can't use it when you interface with other languages. But in that case you still use C++ and add a small C layer for the interfacing part.

C has some advantages above C++ in the early phase of a project, it's simpler, easier and requires less design decisions. However, as the project grows so do the advantages of C++ and Object Oriented Code, which are essentially: Encapsulation, Abstraction and Information Hiding. The drawback is usually slightly slower code unless you break encapsulation.

Yes, it's possible to write like C++ in C, too, but it is far more complex and a hell to maintain.

When I have a choice, I go with a subset of C++.

compatibility - not a problem, you can use extern "C" for linking with C libraries
simplicity - avoid templates, overloading operators, and other C++ feature that obfuscate code

You still get the advantages of classes and RAII.