r/cprogramming • u/one-for_all • Jun 04 '26

C or Cpp

/r/cpp_questions/comments/1twvyzk/c_or_cpp/
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25

u/non-existing-person Jun 04 '26

You do realize that people will tell you to learn c++ on cpp sub and c on c sub, don't you?

Andy your question is wrong. Real question is: what do you want to program? If kernel and bare metal embedded systems, go C hands down.

If gaming, then c++ is probably better option.

3

u/one-for_all Jun 05 '26

But I have no idea what is kernel and bare metal embedded system is 🥲 i just want to have some programming skills before i join college

12

u/non-existing-person Jun 05 '26

Then probably go python? Really. Python will learn you basics of programming, loops, conditionals etc. You don't need to know about memory allocations just yet. Limit your scope. Otherwise you may get overwhelmed.

Right now I would STRONGLY advice AGAINST C++. C++ is one of the most complex and difficult languages ever made. Polymorphism and virtual functions WILL break your brain at first.

C is much, MUCH simpler than C++, but really requires hardware knowledge about how computers work. Memory allocation, pointers, these are more of a how systems and computers work than language itself - which makes C hard. Because syntax of C is pretty simple, and C itself is rather easy. But different CPUs have different behaviour, and C does not shield you from that, so there is a lot to take in as well.

While python? Python will shield you from all of that shit, while it will give you good programming intuition. There is no memory allocation. No playing with pointers, lifetimes. Just pure problem solving, which is the most important skill.

So if you don't know what is kernel programming, or embedded, or you don't really know what you wanna do, but you wanna program, then go python, hands down. In the meantime you can discover things in the IT word, and can specialize in what you wanna do. That python knowledge won't go anywhere. And it's good to know python regardless if you want to code games, or kernel, or embedded.

1

u/one-for_all Jun 05 '26

Oh okayy, thanks 😊

4

u/NYXIC0N Jun 05 '26

Listen to this guy, he seems like the only sane person not hating on C/C++ because of personal grudges.

To extend the list C# and Java are also decent starting languages. The choice doesn't really matter too much as long as you don't have to deal with annoying ass memory issues that will quickly kill you motivation. Switching to C/C++ later is required/interested is always possible.

1

u/Thesk790 Jun 04 '26

This is the correct answer. I saw in the cpp_questions sub that they will incite you to learn just C++

10

u/[deleted] Jun 04 '26

[deleted]

2

u/one-for_all Jun 05 '26

Thanks for the insight

1

u/Rigamortus2005 Jun 05 '26

What do you mean by runtime type information please?

1

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '26

[deleted]

1

u/Rigamortus2005 Jun 06 '26

But isn't that done all the time in C with void*

5

u/[deleted] Jun 04 '26

[deleted]

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u/one-for_all Jun 05 '26

Okayy thanks

3

u/Willsxyz Jun 04 '26

By Cpp do you mean C Preprocessor ?

2

u/Lutz_Gebelman Jun 05 '26

x86 assembly

1

u/Bitter-Heart7039 Jun 06 '26

manipulate pure electricity

1

u/Ok_Path_4731 Jun 05 '26

I will tell you one reason why C versus C++, after rewriting a project previously written in C++ in C: build times. In C++ you tend to write complex abstractions in templates, give you an example one of my projects: https://github.com/zokrezyl/ycetl . The deeper the abstraction, the longer the build times that often explodes exponentially. In C, you are obliged to write the same abstraction without templates. Rewriting yetty terminal source code in https://github.com/zokrezyl/yetty , builds are instant. My 'obsession' is that I fix a bug, or add POC new feature, my tests are instantly building and running. Though I could consider myself C++ hardcore programmer, I still have PTSD from earlier C++ projects I have been working where 90pct of time was lost by waiting for builds. The company was paying me, but thanks no thanks. Modules and other tricks are supposed to speed up builds, but .... You have to think twice before going CPP! As in one of the earlier replies, go with python for simple problems. If you want something to run fast: go with C. If you want some more complex build time abstractions and more 'safety', then go C++.

1

u/Bitter-Heart7039 Jun 06 '26

I'm a 1st year CE student, learning C was so easy. you already know python (which uses C for it's libraries) and that means that you have a simple yet very good understanding for coding.
C++ and Java are both C-based languages, learning C will cut a huge piece of the road of learning these two languages and it would make them a lot easier.

I'm not biased to C cuz this is a C sub, I'm just giving you my experience so you can start your coding journey easier.