1. Introduction

C and C++ are two of the most popular programming languages. C, developed in the 1970s, is a powerful, efficient, and compact language that has influenced many other languages, including C++. C++ was developed as an extension of C in the 1980s and includes object-oriented features, making it a more versatile language for larger, more complex software systems.

2. Key Points

1. C is a procedural programming language, while C++ supports both procedural and object-oriented programming paradigms.

2. C++ introduces concepts such as classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation.

3. C++ supports function overloading and templates, which C does not.

4. C++ includes STL (Standard Template Library) providing ready-to-use libraries for various data structures and algorithms.

3. Differences

C	C++
Procedural programming language.	Supports both procedural and object-oriented programming.
Does not support classes and objects.	Supports classes and objects.
No function overloading or templates.	Supports function overloading and templates.
Does not include a standard template library.	Includes a rich Standard Template Library (STL).

4. Example

C example:

// C example

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    printf("Hello, World in C\n");
    return 0;
}

Output:

Hello, World in C

C++ example:

// C++ example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    cout << "Hello, World in C++" << endl;
    return 0;
}

Output:

Hello, World in C++

Explanation:

1. The C example uses printf for output, which is a standard function in C for printing to the console.

2. The C++ example uses cout, which is part of the C++ Standard Library and provides more functionality and ease of use compared to C's standard I/O functions.

5. When to use?

- Use C for systems-level programming, embedded systems, or when working with legacy code where efficiency and small memory footprint are critical.

- Use C++ for developing complex software systems that require object-oriented features and for applications where higher-level abstractions are beneficial.