Comparing Python with C and C++

In the following article, we will compare the 3 most used coding languages from a beginner's perspective. It will help you to learn basics of all the 3 languages together while saving your time and will also help you to inter shift from one language you know to the other which you don't. Let's discuss a brief history of all the 3 languages and then we will move on to the practical learning. 

C Vs C++ Vs Python

Library and Header files inclusion

• Header Files: The files that tell the compiler how to call some functionality (without knowing how the functionality actually works) are called header files. They contain the function prototypes. They also contain Data types and constants used with the libraries. We use #include to use these header files in programs. These files end with .h extension. 

• Library: Library is the place where the actual functionality is implemented i.e. they contain function body.

• Modules: A module is a file containing Python definitions and statements. A module can define functions, classes, and variables. A module can also include runnable code. Grouping related code into a module makes the code easier to understand and use. Import in python is similar to #include header_file in C/C++. Python modules can get access to code from another module by importing the file/function using import.

// C++ program to demonstrate
// adding header file

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
#include <math.h>

// C program to demonstrate 
// adding header file

#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>

# Python program to demonstrate
# including modules

import tensorflow


# Including a class
# from existing module
from tensorflow import keras

Main method declaration

Main method declaration is declaring to computer that from here the implementation of my code should be done. The process of declaring main is same in C and C++. As we declare int main where int stands for return type we should have to return something integral at the end of code so that it compiles without error. We can write our code in between the curly braces. 

// C++ program to demonstrate
// declaring main

#include <iostream>

int main()
{

// Your code here

return 0;
}

// C program to demonstrate 
// declaring main

#include <stdio.h>

int main() 
{

// Your code here

return 0;
}

It is not necessary to declare main in python code unless and until you are declaring another function in your code. So we can declare main in python as follows. 

# Python program to demonstrate
# declaring main

def main():
    # write your code here

if __name__=="__main__":
    main()

Declaring Variables

In C and C++ we first declare the data type of the variable and then declare the name of Variables. A few examples of data types are int, char, float, double, etc.
Python is not "statically typed". We do not need to declare variables before using them or declare their type. A variable is created the moment we first assign a value to it.

// C++ program to demonstrate
// declaring variables

#include <iostream.h>

int main() 
{
    // Declaring one variable at a time 
    int a;

    // Declaring more than one variable 
    char a, b, c, d;

    // Initializing variables 
    float a = 0, b, c;
    b = 1; 
 
    return 0;
}

// C program to demonstrate
// declaring variable

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    // Declaring one variable at a time
    int a;

    // Declaring more than one variable
    char a, b, c, d;

    // Initializing variables 
    float a = 0, b, c;
    b = 1; 

    return 0;
}

# Python program to demonstrate
# creating variables
 
# An integer assignment 
age = 45                      
  
# A floating point 
salary = 1456.8             
  
# A string   
name = "John"              

Printing to console

The Syntax for printing something as output is different for all the 3 languages.

// C++ program to showing
// how to print data
// on screen

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
    cout << "Hello World";
    return 0;
}

// C program to showing
// how to print data
// on screen

#include <stdio.h>

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

# Python program to showing
# how to print data
# on screen

print("Hello World")

Taking Input

The Syntax for taking input from the user is different in all three languages, so let's see the syntax and write your first basic code in all the 3 languages.

// C++ program showing 
// how to take input
// from user

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
    int a, b, c;
    cout << "first number: ";
    cin >> a;

    cout << endl;
    cout << "second number: ";
    cin >> b;

    cout << endl;
    c = a + b;

    cout << "Hello World" << endl;
    cout << a << "+" << b << "=" << c;

    return 0;
}

// C program showing 
// how to take input
// from user

#include <stdio.h>

int main() 
{
    int a, b, c;
    printf("first number: ");
    scanf("%d", &a);

    printf("second number: ");
    scanf("%d", &b);

    c = a + b;

    printf("Hello World\n%d + %d = %d", a, b, c);

    return 0;
}

# Python program showing 
# how to take input
# from user

a = input("first number: ")
b = input("second number: ")

c = a + b

print("Hello World")
print(a, "+", b, "=", c)

Must Read

• Object Oriented Programming in C++
• C++ Interview Questions and Answers
• Top 50 C++ Project Ideas For Beginners & Advanced

Conclusion

C, C++, and Python each have their own strengths and learning curves. C is fast and powerful but more complex, C++ adds object-oriented features making it more versatile, while Python is beginner-friendly with simple syntax and automatic memory management. Understanding the basics like syntax, variable declaration, input/output, and programming styles in all three helps you learn efficiently and switch between them easily. Whether you aim for system-level programming, game development, or modern scripting, knowing these differences will guide you to choose the right tool for your coding journey.