C++

C++ is an object-oriented successor to C. If you are unfamiliar with the concept of OOP, it simply means that the programs are built out of objects. Theoretically, using this type of programming allows you to create an application with libraries designed by yourself or others, piecing them together as needed. There are countless libraries available for C++, covering everything from sound to graphics and databases. It’s often a much easier solution for programming, but many game developers do not embrace C++ because it often adds overhead to a game, which slows it down. Obviously, this is not what most game programmers are looking for.

As was previously mentioned, the advocates of a particular language or environment are very quick to point out the weaknesses in other development environments. The C versus C++ argument is probably going on right now in a discussion group or online chat room. You usually will find individuals who are on one side or the other, although you will occasionally find someone who likes both and understands the strengths and weaknesses of each. The independent members of the discussions usually will point out that C++ is much easier to use and that the extra overhead associated with it is more than worth it.

A smaller problem within this much larger one is that many individuals try to decide which language they should learn first, C or C++. Again, this is not easy to determine. Although C is probably easier for a beginning programmer to learn, you will not learn object-oriented approaches and will therefore be required to relearn a new way of programming if you want to use most of the newer programming languages.