Updated March 4, 2023
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 the 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 the 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, the 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++ was 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.
Like many other programming languages, Visual C++ includes libraries and runtime packages for creating a different set of procedures, function calls, and other code elements.
VC++ was originally released as a standalone product, but it became a part of Visual Studio in later years, 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 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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