C++ is a programming language that is used for different purposes. It has been around for quite some time, and it continues to be a popular choice for many programmers. C++ was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup in 1979 and its popularity grew as more and more software applications were created using it. In this article, we will discuss advantages and disadvantages of C++ programming language.
Advantages of C++
1. Portable
C++ can run on any platform,
regardless of the operating system installed on the computer or device you use
to run your code. You don't have to worry about whether or not your code will
work on another platform because it can be ported easily without too much
effort on your part.
2. Speed
C++ is a compiled language, which
means it compiles your code into machine code before you run it. This can
result in faster execution times than languages like JavaScript or Python
because C++ programs are smaller and require less memory to run.
3. Multiple programming paradigms
C++ supports multiple programming
paradigms, including object-oriented programming (OOP) and functional
programming. OOP lets you create complex software using a large number of
reusable components called classes; FP allows you to write code without
worrying about side effects or mutating variables.
4. Low-level Memory Access
C++ allows direct access to memory,
which means that you can write efficient code. This is a major advantage of C++
over other languages.
5. C++ is an Object Oriented
In this context, Object Oriented
Programming (OOP) means that the program elements are objects, which have
attributes and behaviors. The attribute can be a variable or constant, but it
also includes data members in addition to member functions.
6. C++ provides high-level abstraction
C++ provides high-level
abstraction. This means that it is easy to understand and use, which makes it
easier for developers of all levels to work with the language. It also has many
features that make it more efficient than its predecessor C language.
7. C++ supports a rich set of built-in operators
The C++ programming language
supports a rich set of built-in operators. These operators can be used for
mathematical, logical and bitwise operations as well as string manipulation and
file handling.
8. A large number of third-party
libraries
One of the most important
advantages of using C++ programming language is that it has an extensive
library. Libraries are used to make programming easier, and they can be used by
developers who are new to C++ or experienced programmers alike.
9. C++ supports low-level
programming languages
C++ supports low-level programming
languages such as assembly languages and machine languages. This means that you
can use C++ to develop software that runs at the lowest levels of the
computer's hardware, which allows for more efficient processing and saves time
when developing programs.
10. Machine Independent language
It means that you can use your code
to write applications for any kind of hardware architecture, operating system
and database management system.
Disadvantages of C++
C++ is a general-purpose
programming language that, though it can be used in any situation, has many
specialties. For example, you may choose to use C++ if you want to write a
program that controls the flow of information between hardware components or if
you need an easy-to-use scripting language for your web pages. However, there
are some disadvantages associated with using C++ that should be taken into
account before you decide whether or not this programming language is right for
your needs.
Below are some of the disadvantages
of C++ language;
1. C++ is not a garbage-collected language
A garbage-collected language is one
in which the compiler automatically collects and releases unused memory,
freeing it up for reuse. This means that you don't have to worry about managing
memory manually, but instead can focus on your program's logic without having
to worry about where the data lives or how long it has been sitting around
before being used again.
2. C++ is also prone to buffer
overflows
Buffer overflows occur when a
program tries to store more data in a memory buffer than it should, which can
cause your program to crash or execute arbitrary code. Most programs have some
kind of input and output functions that could be vulnerable to this type of
vulnerability, so it's important for developers and users alike to be aware of
the risks associated with these attacks.
3. No specialized operators
In many high programming languages,
operators can be defined for particular operations. However, it is not entirely
feasible in C++.
4. Security Concern
Although object-oriented
programming provides far more security for the data being handled than other
programming languages, such as C, which are not object-oriented, there are
still some security concerns because of friend functions, global variables, and
pointers.
5. Pointers
Comparatively speaking to other
topics, pointers in C++ are a pretty difficult idea to grasp. System failure
could occur as a result of uninitialized pointers.
6. No inbuilt threads
Built-in threads are not supported
in C++. Although it is a relatively new idea, C++'s most recent
Conclusion
C++ is a good language, and it is
used by many people. If you want to use C++ in your next project, or if you are
looking for your next programming language, then this article should help you
make an informed decision.
