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v1

Comparative Analysis of C++ and Python in Terms

of Memory and Time
Farzeen Zehra​1​, Darakhshan​2​, Maha Javed​3​, and Maria Pasha​4​.

Department of Software Engineering

NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract— ​In this era of technology, programming has become terms of execution time is done in section [V]. Section [VI]
more significant than ever before. Python and C++ are both shows the memory and time analysis of algorithms in both
widely used programming languages. Python, the most popular languages. Section [VII] discusses the benefits and issues of
programming language in today’s world, is a high-level both C++ and Python and gives recommendations for
object-oriented language whereas C++, the language behind most
beginners. Section [VIII] concludes the paper and section [IX]
operating systems, is a low-level object-oriented language. In this
paper, we present a comparative study of Python and C++. This comprises references.
paper discusses the introduction to these languages, their
memory management techniques, and the reasons behind their II. B​ACKGROUND
program execution speed. Furthermore, we analyzed the
execution time and memory used by multiple algorithms in both With the emerging time, many programming languages are
the languages with best, average, and worst cases. They are also being introduced in the field of computer science. Each
compared with respect to the benefits and issues related to them. language has its own importance, and they also have their
Results indicate that C++ is faster than Python in execution speed drawbacks. But which language should be used by beginners
but Python serves as a better language for beginners due to its
simplicity. Moreover, for the best results, the language should be and which language should be used for fast working and
selected according to the type of project. precise results? This query is faced by almost all developers.
Zakaria Alomari, Oualid El Halimi, Kaushik Sivaprasad, and
Keywords— ​ benefits, c++, comparative study, execution speed, Chitrang Pandit compared C++, PHP, C#, Java, Python, and
memory management, python VB in this paper [1] on the basis of paradigms, application
areas, execution strategy, typing strategy, memory
I. I​NTRODUCTION management, and available IDEs. For analysis of all features
of languages, the same algorithm has been executed in all

s​ oftware development is proved to be the most demanding

languages and their results are being compared. From all the
results, it has been deduced that C++ is the fastest language.
All languages have their own domain for working where they
field as all domains now are linked with technology. Different
languages are in use and new languages are being introduced work better than others. C# is best suited for GUI, for web
from time to time. All languages have their pros and cons and development, Java and PHP are best. For event-driven
they are being used for different purposes. In our research programming, VB can be used. Python can be used for rapid
paper, we have compared two commonly used languages, prototyping and as C++ is proved to be the best language,
Python, and C++. New programmers prefer Python because of that’s why it can be used in a large variety of software
its ease and experienced programmers prefer C++. We will applications development.
compare these two languages on the basis of time and space
utilized so as to know which language is important in which Similarly, Kristijan Stefanoski, Aleksandar Karadimche,
situation. The languages are compared using algorithms by and Ile Dimitrievski made a comparative analysis of the
considering the best case, worst case, and the average case of performance of two languages, a compiled language that is
algorithms. We have used Visual Studio for the execution of C++ and a scripting language that is Javascript [2]. Sorting
C++ code and Pycharm for the execution of Python code. and searching algorithms are used for comparison. The author
Along with the execution of algorithms, we have discussed first compared the time used by both languages in inserting
how C++ and Python allocate memory, their background, and different amounts of data in arrays for Javascript and in
time utilization for the execution of programs. vectors for C++ (same as dynamic arrays). Results showed
that C++ performed 7ms faster than Javascript. The difference
In this paper, section [II] describes the related work, section between logging time is 15 ms and 22 ms respectively. The
[III] gives the overview of python and c++ with their brief result is the same for different amounts of inputs. Similarly,
history. Section [IV] explains the memory management Linear searching algorithms also showed that C++ is
techniques of both languages whereas performance analysis in comparatively faster than Javascript. But the sorting algorithm

© 2020 by the author(s). Distributed under a Creative Commons CC BY license.

Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 21 December 2020 doi:10.20944/preprints202012.0516.v1

showed the efficiency of the Dynamic Javascript array in With the passage of time, C++ was updated and new
comparison to standard C++ arrays. This paper concluded that features were introduced in it such as classes, inheritance,
C++ is relatively faster than Javascript or any scripting static and constant member functions, templates, libraries, and
language such as Python because C++ is a compiled language namespaces. C++ is standardized by the International
and doesn't require any time to be translated into machine Organization Standardization (ISO) and published in 2011.
code. On the other hand, scripting languages require an A number of programming languages developed on the basis
interpreter that first translates the code then executes it. of C++. C# uses C++ syntax and its major features like
classes. In fact, the most popular programming language, Java
Another study about the comparison between programming is obtained from C++ but excludes its features like a pointer,
languages namely, Python and C++ was conducted. The operator overloading, and multiple inheritance just to keep the
authors compared the languages based on efficiency. For this language simple [1].
purpose, they utilized the sorting algorithms (Quicksort, C++ supports both object-oriented and procedure-oriented
Merge Sort, Bubble Sort, and Insertion Sort). They calculated programming but actually, it is an Object-Oriented
the execution time of each sorting algorithm in both languages Programming language that is largely used in real-world
in two ways. First, without showing data in array, and second, applications. It is considered to be an efficient language in
with showing data in array. They also used two ways to terms of memory and speed as compared to other
compile the code namely, Command Prompt and Cygwin. The programming languages like Java, python, etc [6].
results showed that Python took shorter to complete in Cygwin
and longer in CMD whereas the results of C++ were converse. B. Overview of Python
Furthermore, both the languages run faster when not showing
data in array [3]. In the late 1980s or early 1990s, at the National Research
Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science, Netherlands
In another study [4] conducted by Muhammad Ateeq, Hina Guido van Rossum developed a programming language called
Habib, Adnan Umer, Muzammil Ul Rehman, discussed the Python. It is derived from many other languages, including
choices of programming languages for a beginner of Modula-3, C, C++, Algol-68, and other scripting languages.
programming and from the paper, it is concluded that python Python is currently one of the most popular dynamic
is easy to learn and user-friendly language which is much programming languages, along with others such as Perl, Ruby,
alike English, majority of beginners express satisfaction and etc. It is a popular high-level programming language with high
comforts while learning python due to its syntax. Other code readability. Unlike other languages such as C++, C, Java,
languages like C++, Java, and many more have their etc, it uses indentation instead of brackets and semicolons ​[1]​.
importance at their places but students or beginners should It started gaining popularity in 2003 and now in 2020
always go with Python and don’t learn C++ until it is required according to PYPL PopularitY of Programming Language
because C++ has more syntax rules and other programming Index, Python tops the chart. There are two broad versions of
conventions but in some cases, you can surely go for C++. Python namely, 2.x and 3.x. It supports programming
C++ is the best option for game development and systems. paradigms such as functional, procedural, reflective,
Python is the most powerful programming language compared imperative, and object-oriented approaches [8].
to any other programming language.

This paper presents a comparative study of Python and C++ IV. M​EMORY MANAGEMENT
under the characteristics of memory allocation, speed,
The memory system is a prime determinant of performance
advantages, and disadvantages. The objective of writing this
[9]. The process of allocating, deallocating, and managing
paper is to analyze and compare Python with C++ and find out
memory effectively is called memory management. It
about their implementation due to a famous statement about
basically refers to the allocation of memory when required by
Python that it is very slow. Hence, the research questions
the program and then frees it when it’s no longer required.
were: Is python slow? If yes, why? Which is better for
Since, how much memory is required for running an
beginners?
application cannot be estimated therefore, additional code is
required to manage changing memory requirements. There are
III. O​VERVIEW OF C++ AND PYTHON two related tasks of memory management:
A. Overview of C++ 1) Allocation: Allocation of memory on the request of
the program for the block of memory. This block of memory
C++ is a general-purpose compiled language. It was is received from the operating system. The part of the memory
developed in 1979 by Danish Computer scientist “Bjarne manager that performs this, is known as the allocator.
Stroustrup” It is an extension of the C language and 2) Recycling: Once the memory blocks have been
considered a superset of the C language. Its first edition was allocated, but no longer required, then they are recycled either
released in 1985 [5]. by manual memory management in which the programmer
decides this or by automatic memory management in which
the memory manager does this work [10]
Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 21 December 2020 doi:10.20944/preprints202012.0516.v1

. This technique is called static memory allocation but this is

A. Memory Management in C++ not an efficient way of memory management as this results in
lots of memory wastage. No doubt, it is faster and easier to
Managing memory is the most crucial part of the allocate memory statically but still as a programmer, one
programming as it is one of the factors to measure the should not compromise on memory management [12].
efficiency of a programming language. In order to write an
effective program, a programmer must be careful about the 3. Dynamic Memory Allocation (Heap Allocation)
way memory is consumed by the program. Some languages
like Java provide their own garbage collector but in C++, a Shortage of memory can only be avoided when memory is
programmer has to manage the memory [11] used in an efficient way. Dynamic memory allocation is also
. called manual memory allocation. The most important
Kinds of Memory Management: mechanism about this kind of allocation is that here required
bytes of memory are allocated only when the program
1. Stack Allocation (Automatic Management): demands and memory is released or deallocated when it is no
longer needed. Moreover, the released memory then once
Stack is the place in computer memory where the programs again can be available for other purposes. Using dynamic
and all the values returned as a result of the execution of the allocation, a programmer can have full control or access to a
program will be stored. Stack is maintained throughout the memory at run time. This space comes from a large powerful
program. Whenever a function is called, its address is pushed area of dynamic storage called heap memory.
in the stack and popped out when the function does its job.
Whenever a C++ program executes, an activation record is C++ provides an efficient technique that allows the dynamic
created where memory is allocated for all local variables and allocation of memory. C++ uses new and delete keywords for
methods and is deallocated with the variable’s lifetime. dynamic memory allocation and deallocation respectively. As
It means there is no need to explicitly allocate or deallocate mentioned above, in C++, a programmer has to manage the
memory in the stack as the compiler manages all stack objects. memory. This means that once a memory is allocated
However, not all the memory requirements are fulfilled by the explicitly using a new keyword, it cannot be reused until and
stack. Some objects like strings need additional memory unless it is deallocated with a delete keyword. Pointers are
allocation for the fulfillment of their task [11]. used to handle dynamic allocation.
An array is dynamically allocated as:
2. Static Memory Allocation: type* myArray=new type[5];
Deallocated as:
Static means fixed. Programmers should allocate a fixed delete [] myArray;
size of memory to a particular variable, program or application As shown in Figure 2, dynamic memory is allocated for 5
at compile time. Once the memory is allocated to a variable, it elements of type double in heap [12].
is not used for any other purpose even if most of the memory
is not needed by that variable at a particular instant.
For Example, Declare a static array of size 6 to store an
integer as shown in Figure 1,
int arr [6] = {1,2};
In a 64-bit Windows operating system, where the integer
data type is of 4 bytes, the memory required by this array is
6x4=24 bytes. It means, no matter array is empty or consists of
only 2 integers, 24 bytes are reserved for this array in memory
which is not used by any other program

Fig. 2. Dynamic Memory Allocation

Additionally, C++ also uses another function to dynamically

allocate memory for the requested bytes that is malloc () and
releases memory using the free () function.
Fig. 1. Static Memory Allocation
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As a result of malloc () failure, a null pointer is returned generation if it still has a reference. The same is repeated for
whereas the new operator throws an exception. So better to generations 2 and 3, but with the lower thresholds of 10 [15].
use a new operator for memory allocation in C++ [12]. This process further extends to the lower level as depicted
by Figure 1 where the interpreter (CPython, PyPy, etc)
B. Memory Management in Python interacts with the OS's memory manager to deal with the
memory.
Python is a high-level programming language implemented
in C language. It handles everything in the form of objects
e.g., list, dictionary, tuple, integers are all stored as an object.
All these data structures and Python objects are stored in a
private heap managed by the Python memory manager.
Four concepts related to the Python memory manager are:
1. Heap: It is the collection of all Python managed
memory.
2. Arenas: These are the largest chunks of memory
which has a fixed size of 256 KB each. Python
requests them from the system and they are the
objects that make up the heap.
3. Pools: These are the chunks of memory that make up
the arenas of 4 KB each. They are simply arrays due
to their fixed sizes.
4. Blocks: Python objects are stored in blocks. They
have a specific format based on their data types. For
instance, an integer takes up more space than a
character, for efficiency a different block size is used.

Fig. 4. Python hierarchical layers

Source: Adapted From [27]

In short, the whole process can be stated as to when any

program written in python executes, it compiles down to an
intermediate code called bytecode which is then interpreted by
Fig. 3. Relationship between Heap, Arenas, Pools, and Blocks
the Python Runtime Environment (PRE) to machine code.
Memory can only be freed to OS in the form of an arena Furthermore, the allocation and deallocation of memory are
therefore, once an arena is empty, it is freed. Due to the same handled by the garbage collector run by the PRE. Whenever a
reason, whenever Python requests memory, the arena that is new object is created, the needed memory is allocated, and
already filled will be given if possible instead of an empty once the object goes out of its scope, the memory becomes
one. However, whenever a block is freed, it will not be
eligible for Garbage Collection (GC), and eventually would be
released to OS but will be kept for further memory allocation.
This deallocation of memory is performed automatically by released by GC [1].
Python through a garbage collector [13].
Deallocating memory with a garbage collector is a process V. T​IME ANALYSIS
opposite to that of manual memory management in which the
Analysis of the program execution time is extremely
programmer has to specify which objects to deallocate [14]. important when making a complex software system. Program
By default, the thresholds for the Python garbage collector are running time is measured from the start of the program
set to 700, 10, 10 for the three generations of collected objects.
providing inputs to the termination of the program delivering
It will automatically collect once the thresholds have been output [16]. Some languages are slower than others. The
reached. It also keeps track of all the memory allocations and reason behind it lies in its implementation. Usually, High-level
deallocations, and if the number of allocations minus the
languages are slower than low-level languages. The reasons
number of deallocations reaches 700, the object is either behind the speed of executing programs in C++ and Python
deleted if it's not referenced anymore or it is moved to the next are discussed below.
Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 21 December 2020 doi:10.20944/preprints202012.0516.v1

identify more when executing that program which makes it

A. Time Analysis in C++ slow [18].

Writing code in C++ is somehow difficult as compared to 1. Reasons behind Slow Execution
Python but when it comes to performance, C++ gives
excellent results. Research proves that languages like Python, The reasons behind its slow execution speed are mentioned
PHP, Java, and C# cannot compete with C++ in terms of speed below:
and memory efficiency. Following are the reasons behind the
fast performance of C++. ● Dynamically Typed Language
A dynamically typed language means it doesn’t require the
1. Statically Typed Language: variable type to be mentioned. A single python variable can
store any data type be it list, dictionary, int, string, etc.
C++ uses a static typing method. Data types are fixed like Therefore, when the program is executing, the interpreter
integer, float, char, and string. Every variable is stored with its checks the variable's data type every time it performs any
data type. The compiler already knows the data type of the operation to ensure the operation can be performed on that
variable and chooses an appropriate process for that particular variable. This process requires more time making the
variable. This means that in C++, there is no need to check the execution slow [19].
validation of type conversion at run time. This enhances the
performance of C++ as it favors the execution process at run ● Global Interpreter Lock (GIL)
time. GIL is required in Python to prevent multiple threads to alter
memory, at the same time corrupting memory. Since the
2. C++ is a Compiled Language: Python memory manager is not thread-safe therefore, it
requires GIL which prevents memory corruption by only
Unlike interpreted languages like Python in which the source executing a single thread at a time which slows down the
code is first translated into the byte code by an interpreter and speed of program execution [20].
then converted into machine code at run time, C++ allows
direct conversion of source code into machine code as it is a ● High-level language
compiler-based language. This results in a high improvement Python is a high-level language which means it is closer to
in execution speed [1]. human language. It requires less effort to write code because
of several reasons such as automatic memory management,
3. Dynamic Memory Allocation: garbage collection, etc [21].

Since C++ facilitates the programmer through the dynamic ● Garbage Collection
allocation of memory and enables him to declare and control Since Python uses a garbage collector, it takes time for it to
the lifetime of objects, it doesn't use a garbage collector.. This identify what memory to free. This process increases the
removes the additional time requirement in which a Java runtime of the program.
Virtual Machine or Python interpreter must stop for a while
and trace the object's lifetime. Hence, your C++ code runs 2. Different Kinds of Python Implementation:
faster [17].
After all these reasons, the reason that your python code is
4. Use of Templates: executing slowly can be the interpreter you are using. Rick
van Hattem presented a comparison of three different
C++ provides a strong feature of templates. These templates interpreters in his book “Mastering Python” to show the
improve run time performance because they mostly do difference between the speed of execution by different Python
computation at compile time. This may increase the interpreters on a test code. He used 3 interpreters namely,
compilation time but still run time performance is much better Python 3, Python 2, PyPy. Python 2 and 3 are CPython and
than Python. For large numerical problems, expression concluded that for this test code, the used version of PyPy
interpreter is more than 4 times faster than the CPython
templates are used. They solve vectors and matrices
version used [22].
efficiently. They perform most of the matrix operations such
as transposition without creating an intermediate matrix which Similarly, we carried out a test. We used multiple different
saves memory and leads to better performance. sets of codes and got the execution time of code for CPython
and PyPy (Python 3.7) and we concluded that PyPy is usually
B. Time Analysis in Python faster than CPython due to JIT (Just In Time) Compiler which
directly converts source code to machine code whereas
Python is a dynamically typed language. It has a simple CPython converts the source code to byte code and then it is
syntax and is flexible. The programmer has to do less work converted to machine code.
when coding in Python which means the computer has to
Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 21 December 2020 doi:10.20944/preprints202012.0516.v1

is used for the searching of required elements in binary

Table I. searching [24]. It divides the array in half until the array is
Comparison between PyPy and CPython (Test Case 1) reduced to one element
PyPy CPython
Table III.
Comparison of Time and Memory of Searching Algorithm
Source Code [i*j for i in [i*j for i in
range(1000) for range(1000) for j in Time in Time in Memory Memory
j in range(i)] range(i)] Python C++ (ms) in in C++
(ms) Python (Kb)
Execution Time 14.6 msec 49.8 msec (Kb)

Table II.
Comparison between PyPy and CPython (Test Case 2) Best 0.19 0.094 19.54 9.65
Case
PyPy CPython

Source Code [str(i) for i in [str(i) for i in

Worst 0.077 0.134 19.53 10.19
range(10000)] range(10000)] Case
Execution Time 287 usec 2.97 msec
Averag 0.118 0.108 19.53 10.2
e Case

Fig. 5. Graph between PyPy and CPython speed for test cases 1 & 2

VI. M​EMORY AND RUN TIME EVALUATION

Fig. 6. Comparison of Memory Consumption of Searching Algorithm
A. Algorithms:

We have used certain algorithms in order to compare

memory and time of Python and C++. Algorithms that have
been compared in this research paper include sorting
algorithm, searching algorithm, insertion and deletion
algorithms. For the best analysis of algorithms, we have
compared the best case, worst case and average case of
searching, sorting, insertion and deletion algorithms.

1. Searching Algorithm:

In this algorithm, all the elements present in an array have

been gone through to find the required element’s index [23].
There are different types of searching algorithms, what we are
Fig. 7. Comparison of Time Utilization of Searching Algorithm
going to compare is binary search algorithms. Middle element
Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 21 December 2020 doi:10.20944/preprints202012.0516.v1

2. Sorting Algorithm: 3. Insertion Algorithm:

Arranging a given set of data in a predefined manner is sorting Insertion is the process of adding a new element in data
[25]. It can be done using different algorithms, one of which is structure at desired location. It can be added in beginning, end,
bubble sort algorithm. In bubble sorting, first two elements are mid or any other location.
sorted first and then they are compared with the third element
and get sorted and so on [26]. Table V.
Comparison of Time and Memory of Insertion Algorithm
Table IV.
Comparison of Time and Memory of Sorting Algorithm Time in Time in Memory in Memory
Python C++ Python in C++
Time Time Memory Memory (ms) (ms) (Kb) (Kb)
in in C++ in Python in C++
Python (ms) (Kb) (Kb)
(ms) Best 0.024 0.005 7.2 4.01
Case

Best 0.56 0.006 11.6 4.01

Worst 0.03 0.008 7.4 4.04
Case Case

Worst 1.06 0.011 11.71875 4.04 Average 0.028 0.006 7.31 5.43
Case Case

Average 0.93 0.008 11.71785 5.43

Case

Fig.10.Comparison of Memory Consumption of Insertion Algorithm

Fig.8. Comparison of Memory Consumption of Sorting Algorithm

Fig.11. Comparison of Time Utilization of Searching Algorithm

Fig. 9. Comparison of Time Utilization of Searching Algorithm
Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 21 December 2020 doi:10.20944/preprints202012.0516.v1

4. Deletion Algorithm: B. Analysis:

Deletion is the process in which elements are removed from Python is an advanced language and it is very easy to use.
the data structures and leaving an empty space for new But, along with being easy and having short code, it takes
elements. It can be done from the start of data structure, from more time for execution as compared to C++. C++ converts
the end, mid or other location. whole code into a machine code at once and then executes it.
This method takes less time as compared to Python which
Table VI. converts code line by line to byte code and then converts it to
Comparison of Time and Memory of Deletion Algorithm a machine code. After conversion, it executes the program line
by line. This method takes more time and makes Python slow.
Time in Time in Memory in Memory Moreover, Python utilizes more memory than C++ which also
Python C++ Python in C++ makes it slow. All these arguments are satisfied with the above
(ms) (ms) (Kb) (Kb) charts and graphs.

VII. C​++ OR PYTHON: WHAT SHOULD A BEGINNER PREFER?

Best 0.010 0.004 3.906 5.67
Case A. C++, It’s significance and issues

As we discussed earlier, C++ is the most used programming

Worst 0.021 0.005 7.8125 6.42 language. Every beginner is curious to know which language
Case would be preferable for them to learn and which would be
easier. Merits and demerits of any language should be known
by the beginner so that they can start their programming
Average 0.013 0.0042 7.742 6.12 journey. Benefits and issues are important to know as it can
Case help them to choose the better one.
Everything has two or maybe more than two sides, let’s
reveal the faces of C++, through discussing its benefits and
issues that it may cause.

1. Significance

● Portability
C++ enables its users to run a similar program on different
operating systems making it a portable language.

● Object-Oriented Programming
Since C++ is an object-oriented language, it includes concepts
like structures, inheritance, classes, polymorphism, etc. This
enables programmers to reuse the code easily and better to
understand. Not only this, but it also helps us to deal with the
Fig. 12. Comparison of Memory Consumption of Deletion Algorithm
real-world problems by considering real-world things as an
object.

● Memory Management
C++ provides whole control of memory to the programmer. It
can have its pros and cons, either way, you take it, here the
programmer has the whole command whether to clear past
memory or to save it, the work of the garbage collector is done
by the programmer itself. By using dynamic memory
allocation with the help of pointers the memory management
took place.

● Compatibility with C
C++ is way more compatible with C language. A person with
the basics of the C language can easily start coding in C++. An
Fig. 13. Comparison of Time Utilization of Deletion Algorithm error free code of the C language can easily be run in the
compiler of C++.
Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 21 December 2020 doi:10.20944/preprints202012.0516.v1

● Scalability ● Portability
Basically, the ability to scale a program is known as Just like C++, Python is platform independent. You only need
scalability. So, in C++ we can run either small or big to write the code once and run it anywhere you desire like any
programs. Code of any size, in C++ compilers, is runnable. platform you want just make sure that code is error-free.

● Multi-paradigm ● Scalable
The term ‘Paradigm’ refers to logics, structures, etc. which is It is scalable too. Any size of code either large or small, either
basically a style to represent a code. Hence, C++ is a of a single line would be runnable in Python.
multi-paradigm language because it can be represented into
various styles. ● Vast Standard Library
The standard library in Python is massive, the functions a
2. Issues person can be in need of, all can be easily found in Python’s
library. This is a great advantage to Python’s users.
● Complex Syntax
In comparison to other languages like Python, etc. the syntax ● Productivity Improvement
of C++ is way more complex and lengthier. As Python is easy to understand so the programmer focuses
more on his productivity instead of checking the syntax errors
● Security Issues and managing syntax issues. They write less code, and more
Though C++ is the best language of object-oriented functions are being performed which avoids complexity and
programming as it has objects but due to global variables, code is manageable through which the rate of productivity is
pointers, and public specifiers, security issues still exist. increased.

● Use of Pointers 2. Issues

Pointers consume a lot of memory and are hard to implement
and hard to learn. Abundant use of pointers can produce wild ● Gets Slow in Speed
pointers which can crash the whole program too. One of the biggest disadvantages of using Python is that it
executes through an interpreter instead of the compiler like
● Garbage Collection other languages which causes slow execution. The projects
Garbage collector as discussed before in C++, is absent. The where time is an important part, Python is being avoided
programmer must manage and clean unnecessary memory on because it runs backend work at the same time of execution
his own. due to which its speed is affected and being delayed.

● Lack of Rapid prototyping ● Weak in Mobile Computing

The size of the code is larger in C++ due to which rapid Mobile applications are not often made by using Python, the
prototyping cannot take place [8]. reason behind this is that Python is not a good
memory-efficient language and it also consumes much time
B. Python, It’s significance and issues which is not much suitable for mobile computing.
Python is derived from many other languages like C, C++,
● Less Memory Efficient
Linux, etc. Nowadays, Python is most likely used language Python consumes a large amount of memory while compiling.
which is being preferable due to its syntax. Python got a way If memory optimization is considered so in that case, Python is
different syntax from C, Java, and C++. We usually do not use avoided. To provide simplicity to developers this is a little
semicolons and brackets and when it comes to data trading developer did, a time and memory-consuming
representation like int, float, string, etc, we do not explicitly language.
declare the data type.
● Issues in Using Other Languages
1. Significance
Since python is so easy to use, therefore, programmers
become used to it and it becomes difficult for them to learn or
● Easy to read, write, maintain, and learn work on other low-level languages. Python users may consider
Python has clearly defined syntax and easy to read structure.
the addition of curly braces or semicolons as a troublesome
Beginners can easily pick its keywords because the majority of
task in other languages like C++, C#, etc [7].
them are from the English language which can easily be
learned, it is English-like syntax. Python’s code is minimum in
size which can easily be maintained. These are the main C. Recommendation of Programming Language
reasons why everyone around recommends Python to
beginners. In our opinion, Python leads in comparison with C++ and
the language that we would recommend for beginners will be
Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 21 December 2020 doi:10.20944/preprints202012.0516.v1

Python. It is better for newcomers in terms of its easy-to-learn, But for speedy software and better performance like operating
and simple syntax. Furthermore, Web designing and systems, gaming applications, one must consider C++.
backend-development are done with ease in python. Whereas
C++ is not a very good choice for web development of any IX. R​EFERENCES
type.
[1] Z. Alomari, O. E. Halimi, K. Sivaprasad, and C. Pandit,
Python also leads to data analysis and machine learning. “Comparative studies of six programming languages,”
While comparatively, C++ for ML is neither a good option. If 2015.
we think of simplicity, Python is easier regarding every aspect
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Learning there is no other language better than Python. A “PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF C++ AND
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command of this particular language easily because of its
English-like syntax. [3] J. Tait, T. Ripke, L. Roger and T. Matsuo, "Comparing
Python and C++ Efficiency Through Sorting," 2018
VIII. C​ONCLUSION International Conference on Computational Science and
Computational Intelligence (CSCI), Las Vegas, NV, USA,
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C++ as these are the two most popular languages in today’s
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of time and memory. First, we discussed how both the Python? Which One to Begin with: A Learner's
languages manage their memory. Discussion showed that C++ Perspective," 2014 International Conference on Teaching
handles memory efficiently. It permits dynamic memory and Learning in Computing and Engineering (LaTiCE),
allocation and allows the programmer to have full control over Kuching, Malaysia, 2014 pp. 64-69. doi:
the memory. A programmer can be able to allocate and 10.1109/LaTiCE.2014.20
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Python has a garbage collector that is handled by Python ​ . Ashraf, “Introduction” in ​How to program in C++ with
[5] Z
Runtime Environment (PRE) which collects the memory 100 examples, (​ volume-I), 2016, ch.1, pp.1.
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Then we examine time consumption by both the languages. ​ . J. Humer and E. C. Foster. “A COMPARATIVE
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C++ is a statically typed compiled language which is the main ANALYSIS OF THE C++, JAVA, AND PYTHON
reason for its performance efficiency. On the other hand, a LANGUAGES.”, 2014​.
Python interpreter takes time to translate the source code into
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Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 21 December 2020 doi:10.20944/preprints202012.0516.v1

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