C++ for Java Programmers
Chapter 1
Basic Philosophical Differences
Similar Roots, different paths
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Both C++ and Java (and C# and PHP
and many other languages) grew out of
one tradition of languages
So it is not surprizing they have
similarities
But also many differences that can trap
the unwary
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Common Ancestor - C
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Designed by Dennis Ritchie in 1970’s
Intended for System Programming
(specifically, unix)
Economy of expression
Easy for compiler to generate code
Both high level and low level features
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Some Features of C
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Explicit use of pointers
Close match between pointers and
arrays
Variety of bit-level operations
Fast execution time
Minimal memory requirements
Simple memory model
Portable assembly language
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Criticisms of C
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“Too concise for human understanding”
while (*p++ = *q++)
Lack of run-time checks makes programs
error prone (array index checking,
parameter matching, etc.)
Opens door or malicious use
gets(s)
a[i++] = i++;
func1(func2(), func3(),func4());
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Development of C++
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Inspired by earlier language Simula
Started as collection of macros and library
routines for C
Intended to be backward compatible with C
Inherited C mind-set (pointers, lax checking,
memory model)
Uncompromising emphasis on efficiency
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Examples of Emphasis on
Efficiency
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Few run-time checks (if you want
checks, you write them yourself)
Many operations ill-defined, so can
match machine dependency
Stack memory model instead of heap
Many decisions left to compiler writer
a[i++] = i++
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Legacy Problem - old C code
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The C++ programmer must know about
Old C libraries
Old techniques (use of preprocessor,
etc)
Old types (char * for strings, etc)
Old styles (use if integers for booleans)
Use of global variables, functions, other
features not found in Java
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And new features
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C++ added a number of new features
to C
Classes, inheritance
Virtual functions
Templates
Exception Handing
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The Language Java
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Designed by James Gosling
Add simplicity and security to syntax of C++
Trade off between simplicity and efficiency
Preserve consistent behavior on all platforms
Add run-time checks for safety
Heap based memory model, garbage
collection
Simpler OO model
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Comparisons are dangerous
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Can you say one is better than the
other?
No. Each has slightly different use,
different outlook
Given right situation, either can be
made to look better than the other
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