C vs. Python: The Key Differences
In this generation, millions of developers depend on the Python and C programming language. The programming languages have functional similarities, however, they also have core differentiation.
It is noted that the programming language C is quite a bit aged. While Python appeared in 1991, C came out in 1972. Because of Python’s arrival, developers have positively embraced C for its speed and portability. In the case of Python, it was a decade old but gained more popularity at the beginning of the 21st century.
When we compare both the programming languages there are so many interesting facts and core differences between them. So, If you are a software developer go through the article to find out more about C and Python programming languages.
What Is the Python Programming Language?
The programming language Python is an object-oriented and high-level programming language with vital semantics. It contributes built-in data structures convenient for scripting languages. Moreover, Python also works well as a glue language, to integrate software components. It will be more beneficial for RAD(Rapid Action Development).
Python has an easy-to-learn syntax and it is easy to work with and emphasizes its readability. Furthermore, To encourage reuse Python supports packages and modules. In binary and source form, Python distributes its interpreter and standard library for free, on all platforms.
Software developers and most IT companies choose Python for its increased productivity, fast compilation, and rapid edit-test-debug cycle. Besides, remarkably, when we debug a Python code it will never cause a segmentation fault in the event of a bug or wrong input.
# It’s a Python program that adds two numbers.
num1 = 1
num2 = 2
# Add two numbers
sum = num1 + num2
# Display the sum
print(‘The sum of {0} and {1} is {2}’.format(num1, num2, sum))
What Is the C Programming Language?
C has massive popularity for its simplicity and flexibility and also it is a procedural, general-purpose programming language. Developers widely use the programming language to develop operating systems, applications, and other complex software.
C transforms program source code into machine-readable language because it is a compiled language. It links up object files and creates a single executable file, after compilation.
The Key Differences Between the C and Python Programming Languages
Now, we can go through a quick glimpse into the most significant differences between C and Python.
- Python is an object-oriented programming language, while C is a structural programming language.
- C is mainly used for hardware-related applications and low-level code, while Python is a general-purpose programming language
- Python is an interpreted language, and C is a compiled language.
- C has faster Code execution than Python.
- Pointers are available in C, but Python doesn’t support pointer functionality.
- Python’s is more extensive while C has a limited library of built-in functions.
- It’s mandatory to declare variable types in C, but this is not necessary for Python.
- C permits line assignment, while it gives displays in Python.
- The syntax of Python is simpler to understand than the C programming language.
Architecture
Python is an object-oriented programming language and C is a structure-oriented programming language. A structured programming language encourages programs built around blocks and functions, although an object-oriented language focuses on classes and objects.
Memory Management
Python is more efficient than C.Unlike the C language, Python uses memory for allocating object references to variables. Moreover, the main benefit of Python is that it has an automated garbage collector to recover unused memory.
In the case of the C programming language, a developer must manually allocate memory themselves. This causes the notorious source of bugs.
Variable Declaration
For future usage, the C programming language declares a variable. But, variable declarations are not supported by Python because variables are untyped in Python. During the program execution, a given variable may refer to values of different types.
Speed
C is faster than Python because C is a compiled language and Python is an interpreted language. Before the execution of codes, Python converts its source code into bytecode. Therefore, Python always runs in a virtual machine.
Compilation
With Python, at runtime, the interpreter converts source code files into bytecode.
A compiled programming language is C.We can divide the process of C compilation into different stages. They are pre-processing, compiling, assembling, and linking.
Use of Pointers
In the C and C++ languages, Pointers have been used widely, but Python doesn’t have pointers. The definition of Pointers in C is a kind of variable that stores the address of another variable. Python doesn’t need pointers because Python tends to abstract memory addresses from its users.
Debugging
Finding and reducing bugs in a program is known as debugging. Errors occur at runtime and halt the execution process in Python.
Although, All The source code compiles first in the C language, so it can identify some sort of errors before runtime.
Data Structures
The storing of data in an efficient way and organized method is known as Data structures. Like an array, linked list, stack, queue etc..we can implement many data structures in C.
Data structures rely on Mutability and Order in Python. The ability to change an object is Mutability, and Order means it relates to the position of an element. Lists, Sets, and Tuples are the primary data structures of Python
Garbage Collection
C++ and C do not have a built-in garbage collection. It is very difficult to implement a garbage collector in C and also it would make the language implementation slow anyway.
Furthermore, based on the threshold of object allocation and deallocation Python has a garbage collector. All unwanted objects are deleted to reclaim memory.
An Example of C Code
A kilometer to mile conversion program in C:
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void)
{
float kilometers;
printf(“Please enter Kilometers:”);
scanf(“%f”, &kilometers);
float miles = kilometers * 0.621371;
printf(“%f miles”, miles);
}
A Python Code Example
A kilometre to mile conversion program in Python:
# Taking kilometres as input from the user
kilometers = float(input(“Enter value in kilometers: “))
# conversion factor
conv_fac = 0.621371
# calculate miles
miles = kilometers * conv_fac
print(‘%0.2f kilometers is equal to %0.2f miles’ %(kilometers,miles))
C vs. Python: Which One Should You Learn?
When you are going to start a journey in programming, both options are excellent in languages. Even though it is your choice where you want to see yourself in the future, it completely depends on your decision and also based on the roles available.
Choose Python, alongside other languages like Java and C#, if you are interested in web programming or data analytics. You can also start with C and learn Objective C, Swift, or Java if you are starting a career in mobile development or systems programming.
