What Should You Be Learning As a Beginner: C or C++?

The programming languages have come a long way from the time when Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs developed the Language C between 1969 and 1973. Languages have become more sophisticated and do not work at the low levels as C does. These programming languages can surely be used to develop day-to-day applications with more ease, but they sure are not good enough for writing system applications. C is also the language of choice when it comes to writing compilers, simulators, and codes for the embedded systems. It is even used to write codes for other languages.

Most languages came out of necessities. For instance, C was initially designed to reimplement the UNIX operating system. C++ was a language that was heavily based on C, and there were lots and lots of features that were lent from C itself. This language was also biased towards system programming because when it first appeared in 1985, developing powerful system applications was all the rage. Electronic gadgets were coming up which had microprocessors and needed some kind of language for proper control. Coding in C++ with its vast library became very easy, and it found a lot of use in other application as well.

Thus, if it comes to choosing which language is to be used, it depends entirely on what job is to be performed. C is a language that sits at the lowest level, just above assembly level languages and microcodes. That is why it can be considered to be the best for system applications. C++, with its huge library, works better for specialized programs. But when it comes to which language should be learned first as a beginner, the choice is pretty simple

Learning C as a beginner

This seems to be the very obvious choice. Most people would reach this consensus, and this should be the one to choose, at first sight, no fingers crossed. C is a very simple language, and it was created with this intuition in mind. It is quite easy to learn the language, and it would let you gain confidence as you start to code. Getting bogged down by unwanted rules and syntax and starting to getting tough concepts in mind might take all the fun that there is in programming. Learning C helps you to do all that and start to groom yourselves. You would find yourself getting comfortable very soon and starting to explore the world learning new things.

It is cool for a programmer who has an idea about what he or she is doing to start learning C++. If a person wants to take advantage of the different libraries in C++ and create a program for high-level applications, not starting out with C seems to be the logical choice. What is the use of taking out the time to learn a language if you are not going to end up using it? It would be a far better idea to start with something which you would be using in the first place. But if you are a beginner, this does not work for you. Setting goals are fine, but you cannot just start writing huge programs in a language that you have just started to learn. Learning C would help you understand how to proceed with programs and how you should be structuring them. It will help you to understand how to speak in terms of the computer.

Also, C focuses on the procedural and structural programming paradigms. This is another reason why you should be working with it. As you start to learn to programme, the concepts of being object-oriented would surely seem complicated to you. You might not understand why you should worry about the data and why the focus shouldn’t be on getting the work done? Well, C does focus on just getting the work done. It does not ask you to get bogged down with details concerning how a particular program needs to be written. While on the other hand, this is not the case with C++. It is true that since C++ is more like a superset of C, you can continue with C++ in the same way that you worked with C. But that fails the entire purpose of learning C++. While you are learning about conditional statements and loop structures, you would need to consider learning about objects, classes and interfaces as well. There are also the container classes which are of great importance in C++. In totality, if you are a beginner, you would surely feel the pressure settling down on you.

All this makes C one of the easiest choices. You can take your time and learn to get comfortable, and at the same time, you could start learning about algorithms and data structures, giving yourself a firm base to stand on. Refer these top recommended C tutorials to begin your C programming journey.

Learning C++ as a beginner

Now we have seen how learning C++ as a beginner could be of inconvenience as you. The goal is never to deter you away from knowing one of the most popular programming languages in the world. There are some upsides to learning C++ as a beginner. It is true that the language would pose some hardships before you, but if you can follow a proper path and carry on with the different topics in a proper fashion, you would end up learning a language that is very versatile. C++ can be used to write systems programs as well and had been designed mainly for writing codes for embedded systems. This means that if you master the language, you would soon be able to write applications that matter.

Moreover, writing system programs are not very essential nowadays. Some systems work pretty well. On the other hand, different applications are being created every other day, and you can surely find better employment learning something that can be of value today. You would get comfortable with C++ soon, and it would be worth all the extra effort.

Learning a language for the first time needs a lot of effort, and you need to make sure that you go all the way and benefit something at the end.

Comments

Ajay Deep

Ajay Deep is a young enthusiast who Loves Chandigarh and is always eager to make this beautiful city even more beautiful. A Mechanical Engineer By Chance and Working in an IT MNC by Choice. A Writer, Photographer and a Budding Entrepreneur. A Designer, Developer and Digital Marketing Expert. In brief : A Jack of All Trades and Master of Few :) You may reach Ajay Deep at ajay@chandigarhmetro.com
Back to top button