Use C or C++???

**CompiledMonkey** · 06-20-2004

I'm trying to get into Linux more and I'd like to start programming for it. I have a decent background in Linux but not so much in C or C++. What I'd like to build is a RSS reader to be used in the Linux console. I'm debating on which language I should use. I know Java really well, but I kinda want to learn something new. Also, I don't want Java to be a dependency for my users. Whatever I choose to use, the project will be open source, so anybody can check it out and modify it however they want.

**ZAK** · 06-20-2004

In general both languages are used in Linux, if you want to do low level system style programming C will be the beast of choice if you want to just interface with already written libraries C++ is great. For a good introduction to Linux programming see this free book http://www.advancedlinuxprogramming.com/alp-folder I used it to help me learn the POSIX thread standard... but it has other good stuff as well...plus it's free to boot.

**yeohhs** · 06-22-2004

For Linux console apps, C is certainly a good choice. C++ is also okay.

**ZAK** · 06-22-2004

C++ in some cases can get as low as C, however, object oriented design like C++ will cause a lot of unnecessary over head when writing low level routines...C has traditionally been the *nix language of choice for system level programming. C is considered by some to be a high level assembly language because of it ability to address hardware using some what more readable constructs.

**ZAK** · 06-23-2004

Ok, what happens when C++ is compiled is that all of those class will take up more memory and will compile to more code then when C is used the extra code is just overhead of enforcing the nature of the constructs that's all. It was a while ago when I study the over head problem and the speed gap is closing so it may be not as much of a concern. I can't really give you definitive metrics on the actual amount of overhead and how it affects current day...this is just how it was explained to me.

**Thantos** · 06-23-2004

becasue i don't see the overhead. Could you explain where there overhead would be please?

Can you see air? Just because you can't see something doesn't mean its not there

Example

Code:

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {
  printf("Hello World");
  return 0;
}

size when compiled with gcc: 4814
size when compiled with g++: 5156

After being strip-ed
gcc: 3020
g++: 3352

Generally speaking c++ brings in a larger library and produces slightly larger code. If you are writing code that needs to be small then this becomes an issue.

**Thantos** · 06-23-2004

overhead has a lot of different meanings

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