Differences Between C++ and Visual C++
C++ is an enhancement and advanced for C language and it is a general-purpose for an object-oriented programming language. C++ is considered as a compiled language, and implementation of this language is available on many platforms. Visual C++ is an integrated development environment (IDE) product from the software giant Microsoft. It is developed for the C, C++, and C++/CLI programming languages. Since it is a product of Microsoft, it is also called by a name VC++ or Micro-Soft Visual C++ (and it is abbreviated to MSVC).
C++
C++ is designed and developed by Bjarne Stroustrup in the year 1985. Initially, C++ was called by the name “C with Classes” and later it is renamed to C++ in the year 1983. C++ is a superset of C family and it is the preferred language by many for creating a large scale application. The symbol ++ indicates that an increment operator in C, symbolically represents an advanced version of C. The main basis of C++ is, it allows both hardware access and abstraction and it carries effectively and that makes C++ stand and differentiate from other programming languages.
As mentioned earlier, C++ is an object-oriented programming language. It has two main components:
- It directly maps the hardware features which are provided primarily by the C subset,
- Zero-overhead abstractions that are based on the hardware mappings.
Similar to the C language, C++ programming language supports memory management in four types:
- Static storage duration objects.
- Thread storage duration objects.
- Automatic storage duration objects and
- Dynamic storage duration objects.
Visual C++
Visual C++ is developed in February 1993 but the stable release was done in March 2017. Visual C++ is written in C++. Visual C++ is also a part of the general “C suite” of programming languages like C++.
Visual C++ is to be considered as commercial software with the availability of a free version. Visual C++ includes numerous codebase handling tools and also development tools to use along with Microsoft Windows application programming interfaces (APIs) and the Microsoft .NET platform.
Similar to many other programming languages, Visual C++ includes libraries and runtime packages for creating a different set of procedures, function calls, and other code elements as well.
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VC++ was originally released as a standalone product but in later years it became a part of Visual Studio and then it made available in both trial version and freeware forms.
Head to Head Comparison Between C++ and Visual C++ (Infographics)
Below are the top 6 differences between C++ vs Visual C++
Key Differences Between C++ and Visual C++
Both are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the major difference:
- 1. C++ is an object-oriented programming language whereas Visual C++ is the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and compiler for C and C++ language.
- In C++, a compiler translates the C++ program code into machine code which computers can understand and execute the same. Whereas Visual C++ helps and makes it easier in writing code, compiling and debugging C++ source code.
- C++ programming language is portable as the libraries in it to use in your C++ application. Whereas Visual C++ also has some specialized libraries which can be used with Windows, and when you use those inbuilt libraries in a C++ application, there is possible to get stuck with Windows.
- It is difficult to write code to develop the Microsoft DirectX API, Windows API, and the Microsoft .NET Framework using C++ alone. But it is easier to program to develop the Microsoft DirectX API, Windows API, and the Microsoft .NET Framework.
- C++ programming language is mostly and commonly used to design and program hardware. Since Visual C++ is IDE, it is used to compile and execute it.
- In performance, C++ wins the race over Visual C++. Performance is high for the initial part of the application development cycle whereas the performance of Visual C++ is low for the initial part of the application development cycle. But it is very difficult in maintaining the later stages of development using C++.
C++ vs Visual C++ Comparison Table
The primary comparison are discussed below:
| Basis of Comparison |
C++ | Visual C++ |
| About & Definition | C++ is a high-level object-oriented programming language.
In C++, a compiler translates the code into machine code which computers can understand and execute the same. |
Visual C++ is considered an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). It helps and makes it easier in writing, compiling and debugging C++ source code. |
| Libraries | C++ programming language is portable as the libraries in it to use in your C++ application. | Visual C++ also has some specialized libraries which can be used with Windows, and when you use those inbuilt libraries in a C++ application, there is possible to get stuck with Windows. |
| Writing code
|
By using C++ alone, it is difficult to write code to develop the Microsoft DirectX API, Windows API, and the Microsoft .NET Framework. | Visual C++ can be used to write a code to develop the Microsoft DirectX API, Windows API, and the Microsoft .NET Framework. Because Visual C++ basically influence C++ compatible with the Microsoft environment. |
| Tools | C++ is a programming language and it does not include a debugger, code editor, and project manager. | Visual C++ includes many tools like debugger, code editor, project manager, etc. |
| Area of usage | C++ programming language is mostly and commonly used to design hardware. The process is as follows:
Initially, a design is described in C++. Later It will be analyzed, Architecturally modified and make it efficient, and finally, it is scheduled to create register-transfer level hardware description language. |
Visual C++ is an integrated development environment (IDE) product in which the C++ code will be compiled and executed. |
| Performance | Performance is high for the initial part of the application development cycle compared to Visual C++.
But in later stages of development, the C++ programming language is more maintainable. |
The performance of Visual C++ is low for the initial part of the application development cycle compared to C++.
But it is a great advantage to compile and execute the programs in later stages of application development. |
Conclusion
C++ is an enhancement and advanced for C language and it is a general-purpose for an object-oriented programming language. And Visual C++ is an integrated development environment (IDE) product from the software. This is developed to compile the C, C++, and C++/CLI programming languages. I hope now you must have got a fairer idea of both. Stay tuned to our blog for more articles like these.
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