Python vs C++

Mohamed Anis MANI — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 22:11:04 +0000

As I used both Python and C/C++ and felt their strengths and weaknesses, I am annoyed when I encounter the unfair comparison between them in the social networks. The people blaming C/C++ are either persons that ignores C/C++ or that have lower marks in this module in the college.

Python is really a nice language powered by tons of libraries that offers limitless possibilities and solutions to whatever problem. However, saying that it is better than C/C++ is not always true.

This article will try to prove that the comparison between two languages should be made based on many criteria that indicate which language is better for which job.

First, Python is an interpreted language while C/C++ is a compiled language meaning that the deliverables for both languages will not be same: when writing for Python the customer expects the source code for their project, while C/C++ compiler will produces a working binary that does not require that the source code on the customer's machine. Someone will claim that Python have tools to convert source code into binary, that's true and till now I have not encountered a single tool that perform the task as it should be done, and if it exists it will needs many tweaks.

Second, Python is delivered with libraries that plays in its favour. C/C++ has its own libraries too, but in this fields it's Python the winner. In fact, with Python a simple import for a library or some features of that library suffices to resolve a problem that will needs tens of includes and their dependencies.

Talking about dependencies the Python packaging modules will ensure all the dependencies are fulfilled for one module when installing it. In the time I was using C/C++ that's feature was missing.

Third, performance side Python gives worst results because it's not designed in essence to enhance performance but to increase developer productivity, this down side is the cost of the excellent productivity of the language.

Fourth, C/C++ is meant to be as close as possible to Assembly in order to control low memory, low power, resources-limited devices. Python needs higher memory footprint and more CPU.

We shall not forget about multithreaded tasks, Python without external libraries written in C is unable to use the full multiprogramming capacities of the CPU because of its global locking.

Finally, as my article became very long I have to summarize in one sentence: choose the language that fulfils your needs by comparing each language features and capabilities and don't rely to your feeling in this matter, they won't help you.

DEV Community: Mohamed Anis MANI

Python vs C++