Python vs C++

Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language.

Python is used for web development, Machine Learning, and other
cutting-edge software development. Python is suitable for both new
and seasoned C++ and Java programmers. Guido Van Rossam has
created Python in 1989 at Netherlands' National Research Institute.
Python was released in 1991.
C++ is a middle-level, case-sensitive, object-oriented programming
language. Bjarne Stroustrup created C++ at Bell Labs. C++ is a
platform-independent programming language that works on
Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. C++ is near to hardware, allowing
low-level programming. This provides a developer control over
memory, improved performance, and dependable software.

Read through this article to get an overview of C++ and Python and
how these two programming languages are different from each
other.

What is Python?

Python is currently one of the most widely used programming

languages. It is an interpreted programming language that operates
at a high level. When compared to other languages, the learning
curve for Python is much lower, and it is also quite straightforward
to use.

Python is the programming language of choice for professionals

working in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning
(ML), Data Science, the Internet of Things (IoT), etc., because it
excels at both scripting applications and as standalone programmes.

In addition to this, Python is the language of choice because it is

easy to learn. Because of its excellent syntax and readability, the
amount of money spent on maintenance is decreased. The
modularity of the programme and the reusability of the code both
contribute to its support for a variety of packages and modules.

Using Python, we can perform −

  Web development
 Data analysis and machine learning
 Automation and scripting
 Software testing and many more
Features

Here is a list of some of the important features of Python −

 Easy to learn − Python has a simple structure, few keywords,

and a clear syntax. This makes it easy for the student to learn
quickly. Code written in Python is easier to read and
understand.
 Easy to maintain − The source code for Python is pretty easy to
keep up with.
 A large standard library − Most of Python's library is easy to
move around and works on UNIX, Windows, Mac.
 Portable − Python can run on a wide range of hardware
platforms, and all of them have the same interface.
Python Example

Take a look at the following simple Python program −

a = int(input("Enter value for a"))

b = int(input("Enter value for b"))

print("The number you have entered for a is ", a)

print("The number you have entered for b is ", b)

In our example, we have taken two variables "a" and "b" and
assigning some value to those variables. Note that in Python, we
don’t need to declare datatype for variables explicitly, as the PVM
will assign datatype as per the user’s input.

 The input() function is used to take input from the

user through keyboard.
 In Python, the return type of input() is string only, so we have
to convert it explicitly to the type of data which we require. In
our example, we have converted to int type explicitly
through int( ) function.
  print() is used to display the output.
Output

On execution, this Python code will produce the following output −

Enter value for a 10

Enter value for b 20

The number you have entered for a is 10

The number you have entered for b is 20
What is C++?
C++ is a statically typed, compiled, multi-paradigm, general-
purpose programming language with a steep learning curve. Video
games, desktop apps, and embedded systems use it extensively.
C++ is so compatible with C that it can build practically all C source
code without any changes. Object-oriented programming makes C+
+ a better-structured and safer language than C.
Features

Let’s see some features of C++ and the reason of its popularity.

 Middle-level language − It's a middle-level language since it can

be used for both systems development and large-scale
consumer applications like Media Players, Photoshop, Game
Engines, etc.
 Execution Speed − C++ code runs quickly. Because it's compiled
and uses procedures extensively. Garbage collection, dynamic
typing, and other modern features impede program execution.
 Object-oriented language − Object-oriented programming is
flexible and manageable. Large apps are possible. Growing
code makes procedural code harder to handle. C++'s key
advantage over C.
 Extensive Library Support − C++ has a vast library. Third-party
libraries are supported for fast development.
C++ Example

Let’s understand the syntax of C++ through an example written

below.
#include
using namespace std;

int main() {
int a, b;
cout << "Enter The value for variable a \n";
cin >> a;
cout << "Enter The value for variable b";
cin >> b;
cout << "The value of a is "<< a << "and" << b;
return 0;
}

In our example, we are taking input for two variables "a" and "b"
from the user through the keyboard and displaying the data on the
console.

Output
On execution, it will produce the following output −
Enter The value for variable a
10
Enter The value for variable b
20
The value of a is 10 and 20
Comparison Between Python and C++ across Various Aspects

Both Python and C++ are among the most popular programming
languages. Both of them have their advantages and disadvantages.
In this tutorial, we shall take a closure look at their characteristic
features which differentiate one from another.

Compiled vs Interpreted

Like C, C++ is also a compiler-based language. A compiler

translates the entire code in a machine language code specific to
the operating system in use and processor architecture.
Python is interpreter-based language. The interpreter executes the
source code line by line.

Cross platform

When a C++ source code such as hello.cpp is compiled on Linux, it

can be only run on any other computer with Linux operating
system. If required to run on other OS, it needs to be compiled.

Python interpreter doesn't produce compiled code. Source code is

converted to byte code every time it is run on any operating system
without any changes or additional steps.

Portability

Python code is easily portable from one OS to other. C++ code is

not portable as it must be recompiled if the OS changes.

Speed of Development

C++ program is compiled to the machine code. Hence, its execution

is faster than interpreter based language.

Python interpreter doesn't generate the machine code. Conversion

of intermediate byte code to machine language is done on each
execution of program.

If a program is to be used frequently, C++ is more efficient than

Python.

Easy to Learn

Compared to C++, Python has a simpler syntax. Its code is more

readable. Writing C++ code seems daunting in the beginning
because of complicated syntax rule such as use of curly braces and
semicolon for sentence termination.

Python doesn't use curly brackets for marking a block of

statements. Instead, it uses indents. Statements of similar indent
level mark a block. This makes a Python program more readable.
Static vs Dynamic Typing

C++ is a statically typed language. The type of variables for storing

data need to be declared in the beginning. Undeclared variables
can't be used. Once a variable is declared to be of a certain type,
value of only that type can be stored in it.

Python is a dynamically typed language. It doesn't require a

variable to be declared before assigning it a value. Since, a variable
may store any type of data, it is called dynamically typed.

OOP Concepts

Both C++ and Python implement object oriented programming

concepts. C++ is closer to the theory of OOP than Python. C++
supports the concept of data encapsulation as the visibility of the
variables can be defined as public, private and protected.

Python doesn't have the provision of defining the visibility. Unlike

C++, Python doesn't support method overloading. Because it is
dynamically typed, all the methods are polymorphic in nature by
default.

C++ is in fact an extension of C. One can say that additional

keywords are added in C so that it supports OOP. Hence, we can
write a C type procedure oriented program in C++.

Python is completely object oriented language. Python's data model

is such that, even if you can adapt a procedure oriented approach,
Python internally uses object-oriented methodology.

Garbage Collection

C++ uses the concept of pointers. Unused memory in a C++

program is not cleared automatically. In C++, the process of
garbage collection is manual. Hence, a C++ program is likely to
face memory related exceptional behavior.
Python has a mechanism of automatic garbage collection. Hence,
Python program is more robust and less prone to memory related
issues.

Application Areas

Because C++ program compiles directly to machine code, it is more

suitable for systems programming, writing device drivers,
embedded systems and operating system utilities.

Python program is suitable for application programming. Its main

area of application today is data science, machine learning, API
development etc.

Difference Between Python and C++

The following table summarizes the differences between Python and

C++ −

Criteria Python C++

Python is an interpreted-based C++ is a compiler-based

programming language. Python programming language. C++
Execution
programs are interpreted by an programs are compiled by a
interpreter. compiler.

Python is a dynamic-typed
Typing C++ is a static-typed language.
language.

C++ is not a portable language,

Python is a highly portable
code written and executed on a
language, code written and
Portability system cannot be run on
executed on a system can be
another system without making
easily run on another system.
changes.

Python provides a garbage

C++ does not provide garbage
collection feature. You do not
Garbage collection. You have to take
need to worry about the
collection care of freeing memories. It is
memory management. It is
manual in C++.
automatic in Python.
 Python's syntaxes are very easy
Syntax C++'s syntaxes are tedious.
to read, write, and understand.

Python's execution
C++ codes are faster than
Performance performance is slower than C+
Python codes.
+'s.

Python's application areas are C++'s application areas are

Application
machine learning, web embedded systems, device
areas
applications, and more. drivers, and more.