Golang vs C++: Which is Best For Your Next Project
The post Golang vs C++: Which is Best For Your Next Project first appeared on Qvault.
Needing to be a math genius to learn code is a thing of the past, as more high-level programming languages offer an alternative to low-level machine code, making it more accessible than ever to get coding.
But with dozens of languages available, which ones are worth learning?
Regardless of whether you plan to work in computer science, or casually dabble in code, the best thing you can do is understand what each language does and who uses them. That way, you know you’re learning a language that benefits you.
Sorry to interrupt! I just wanted to mention that you should check out my new free Go course. It’s designed to teach you all the fundamentals of my favorite coding language.
Now, you may have seen our breakdown of Golang vs. Python, but now it’s time to see how Golang matches up to C++. We’ll compare their design, performance, speed, and security, as well as discuss key differences between the two languages and how they’re used in the real world.
Golang vs C++: A Brief History
When it comes to history, C++ and Golang sit at opposite ends of the spectrum.
The first edition of C++ was released in 1985, originally named C with Classes, bringing the first C language superset to the market. Development started in 1979 by Danish computer scientist Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Laboratories, to create an easier version of C that uses classes or code templates.
Golang (or Go) 1.0, however, wasn’t on the market until 2012, after being developed by Robert Griesemer, Rob Pike, and Ken Thompson, who, ironically, were powered by their mutual frustration with C++. In the end, they took the best of everything – the best of Java, Python, and C languages – to create Go. Its C-inspired syntax also makes learning Golang for C++ programmers effortless.
Go vs C++: Which Has a Better Design?
Let’s start by taking a straightforward view of the basic make-up of these languages.
| Go | C++ |
|---|---|
| High-level language | Mid-level language |
| Procedural | Object-oriented (mostly) |
| Top-down approach | Bottom-up approach |
As we can see, they’re different in almost every way possible. Top-down, bottom-up, mid-level, high-level – but what does this all mean?
High vs Mid-Level Language
First, we have the level of language.
Golang is a high-level language. This means it’s easy to read, understand and learn because it’s the most simplified version of machine code. Alternatively, C++ is a mid-level language, which means it’s harder to understand and less simplified.
Machine code is the language computers speak, and instead of us racking our brains to understand it, abstractions are used to hide all the unnecessary noise. That way, when reading code we mostly see our natural language, making the syntax easier to understand.
Go, as a high-level language, has significantly more of these abstractions than our friend C++ here, which is only a mid-level language. Golang also has limitations and features embedded in its structure, so it’s easier to develop programs without issues.
Mid-level languages, or pseudo languages, aren’t directly machine code, but they are much closer to it. For example, C++ interacts directly with the abstraction layer of a computer system, whereas Golang is more heavily translated before the computer can understand it.
C++ also doesn’t come with any user-friendly features, however, it’s a completely open book, and if you can think of it then you can create it with C++.
Type of Approach
The bottom-up and top-down approach is about how general or specific the language is.
Imagine you’re in a clear lake, looking down at the water. You can tell from the surface there are other things in the water, but you only get a general view of what they could be.
However, if you break through the surface, you find rocks, shells, sand, fish – all of the specific objects that are in the lake.
Golang is like the surface. With a top-down approach, you only work with the general functions and programs you want — and avoid mingling with specific objects.
C++ is like the lakebed. With a bottom-up approach, you build each specific layer, code each rock, fish, and shell, until you get to the surface — you have full creative control, and full responsibility.
Different Language Types: Go vs C++ and OOP vs Procedural
Finally, we have object-oriented and procedural language types.
Object-oriented (or OOP) is when you manipulate the object, rather than the logic and functions around the object. Thanks to abstractions and encapsulations, C++ can directly manipulate the object it wants.
Now again, it doesn’t possess as many layers as high-level languages, but it has enough that you can directly control the action you’re trying to achieve. This isn’t an easy job though, as creating programs based on the interaction of objects is extremely complex.
It’s important to note that while C++ is an OOP language, it’s also a multi-paradigm language, so it can support procedural and functional programming. However, OOP, especially with modern C++, is its most common application.
Golang, on the other hand, is a procedural language. For this, you simply write down the steps of the task in the order you want the computer to run them. It’s based on the concept of a series of computational steps. Golang is also a multi-paradigm language and supports functional programming.
Overall, in terms of design, Golang is better in the sense it’s more user-friendly, but if you’re looking for more control then C++ is a better choice.
Golang vs C++: Which Is Faster?
When it comes to asking “is Golang faster than C++” there are two ways you need to look at it: writing time and compile time.
Writing time is how fast and easily can you write the language.
Harkening back to our understanding of Golang as a high-level language, Go was purposefully built to make coding faster, easier, and scalable. As a high-level language, its syntax is much more readable and compact than C++.
Go also has a faster compile time. Codes must be compiled before they run, and after every change you make – a.k.a. you’ll be compiling a lot. So, this is necessary when considering coding speed.
Compile time is dependent on what you’re coding, however, C++ is famous for its slow compile time. Go’s compact style makes compiling quicker than C++’s long drawn-out form.
Overall, Golang beats C++ hands down when it comes to coding speed.
Golang Performance vs C++ Performance
Both languages boast fantastic performance.
Go’s efficient garbage collector, static types, and compilation make it incredibly fast, as well as its memory management and use of pointer over references. It constantly outdoes other interpretive and dynamic languages.
But, C++ is an undeniable beast at performance.
I wasn’t kidding earlier when I said C++ is a drawn-out, complex, and lengthy language, but this is where it all pays off. Because it’s a mid-level language and not heavily abstracted from machine code, the information and task you’re trying to communicate to the computer are understood more easily, resulting in stronger performance.
Features that make Go fun and easy to use, like the garbage collector, end up adding drag to the performance time, whereas C++’s minimalist and traditional structure makes it perfect for boosting performance.
Golang vs C++: Which Has Better Security?
Programming languages are either built for power or safety, and if C++ offers better performance, then you can probably guess which language has the better security.
C++ is notorious for suffering from buffer overflows.
Buffers are memory storage containers that hold the information and data while it transfers between locations, and when you put too much information in it, you get a buffer overflow. This is when the information spills over and gets written on adjacent memory locations.
Now, this may not sound too bad, except this anomaly can cause the program to crash and create holes in even airtight systems.
Buffer overflows aren’t naturally a part of C++, but it’s an easy mistake for coders to make if they’re not careful. What gives Go the advantage here is its limitations in the code that prevent this from happening. It doesn’t give coders the option to buffer overflow.
For instance, with Go, you can’t use pointer arithmetic, meaning you can’t step through arrays using pointer values, you have to access them using an index. This forces you to use methods that include checks and bounds, that prevent overflows.
Advantages of Go vs C++ for Experienced Programmers
Go vs C++: Which is higher paid?
According to the 2020 Stack Overflow Survey, in the United States, Go developers earn $140,000 per year — making it the second-highest-paid language in the US, and third in the world.
In contrast, C++ developers earn $120,000, a whole $20K lower than Go developers, and good enough only for 13th place on the highest-paid languages list.
Conclusion: Go is better than C++ for earning higher salaries.
Which is more loved by programmers?
In the same survey, programmers ranked Golang 5th for the most loved programming language, whereas C++ sits at number 8 for the most dreaded.
I argue part of this is attributed to Go’s compact language and easy-going learning curve. Golang may be C-inspired, but it brings a level of readability that C++ can’t compete with.
However, C++ is a powerful language that’s perfect for experienced programmers who want to create everything. Its unlimited capability is one of the big reasons it’s still so popular today even after 40 years! It gives experienced coders the advantage of in-depth control over the program.
Conclusion: Programmers tend to prefer Golang over C++.
Is Go or C++ better for your coding project?
C++ is mostly used in system programming and graphic-heavy software, like video games and photo and movie editing, where access to every nook and cranny of a system and fast rendering and processing is an absolute necessity.
Oppositely, Go is a safe system that gives experienced programmers a user-friendly coding experience and less liability when it comes to large-scale projects.
Golang is heavily used for back-end web development and known for its robust ability to handle extensive network servers and systems. It’s a scalable, clean and straightforward language that was specifically built to solve the issues Google had when it came to working on their large network servers.
With such different strengths, the real advantage for experienced programmers is to learn both, as together they will give you a well-rounded skillset.
Conclusion: for infrastructure and large systems, Go wins. For creating games, applications and other powerful systems, consider C++.
Golang vs C++: The Final Verdict
The final verdict is … it’s up to you!
Go and C++ are two amazing languages that operate at opposite ends of the programming spectrum. C++ is an old-timer that handles the small details, while Golang is contemporary and meant for the big picture.
C++ is perfect for traditionalists that like to get their hands dirty in code and work without bounds and have the skill to do so. It’s a strong and versatile language that gives direct access to a program’s core.
Golang is the modern person’s language. People from all kinds of backgrounds are making the shift to tech, and Go welcomes them with open arms. It’s easy to use and has a scalable nature that promises a fruitful career to anyone using it.
We’re big fans of Go at Qvault, so much so that we’ve created three courses to help you learn Go! No matter your skill level, our two Go Mastery courses will get you the skills you need to work as a Go programmer, and once you’ve got the skills, our Go Interview Prep course will get you prepped to land that job!
Overall, to figure out which one is best, you need to figure which one are you. No matter the choice, Golang and C++ only continue to grow in popularity and will benefit you way into the future.
Ready to get coding?
Have questions or feedback?
Follow and hit me up on Twitter @q_vault if you have any questions or comments. If I’ve made a mistake in the article, please let me know so I can get it corrected!
source https://qvault.io/golang/go-vs-c-plus-plus-golang/
Comments
Post a Comment