Posted by Python vs C++, which one is “better”? When I first started programming I learned Python on my own. Later on, around the same year, I got into C++ because of my University. Although the languages are very different from each other, I do not regret learning either of them. Sometimes, however, I tend to compare the two. I even wonder which one I should use to write a program I have in mind.
Today we are going to break down each language and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. This is my personal opinion, written in a few paragraphs. Additionally, programming languages, especially Python and C++, have many features and complex backgrounds. This means that while I have experienced both programming languages, there are areas that I haven’t explored yet! Your personal opinion may vary greatly, you may find one language extremely more useful than the other. I would love to read your opinion in the comments below.
Python vs C++, a General Overview
On the one hand, we have Python, a simple-to-use high-level programming language that is very minimalistic, not on its features but on its syntax. Many people enjoy this programming language. That is because you can write a useful program and automate your work in just a few lines of code. It is my go-to language for 90% of my projects. (Disclaimer: This doesn’t mean that it is 90% of the time a better option compared to C++, it simply means that my projects are 90% written in python)
On the other hand, we have C++. The language is considered high-level which means that, in most cases, it is way faster than python since it is closer to machine language. It is not as easy to use but once you gain experience it is more useful in most situations. For example, creating software that you are later going to share and market to the public with C++ is a great idea. (Check your favorite desktop app, its developers most likely wrote it in C++)
Python vs C++, Average Monthly & Yearly Salary
I strongly believe that you should not learn a programming language for the sole purpose of earning great amounts of money. Your first motivation should always be about the skills you acquire and how they can be put to great use. However, if you are going to spend thousands of hours learning a programming language, you might as well earn a lot from it, right?
According to Statista, Python developers in 2021 earned on average 59,450 USD per year. This is almost 5,000 USD per month! C++ Developers earned a little less. Their yearly salary was around 54,050 USD, making their average monthly salary a little over 4,500 USD. While these numbers are great, they are average worldwide salaries. This means the actual number for developers based in USA, UK or Australia is much bigger! To get a better perspective of salaries and the technology needed to achieve them, I would suggest visiting Indeed. After setting your location and programming language of your choice, you can search for job offers in your area!
Python vs C++, Game Development?
Let’s move one to a certain programming field, Game development. I am only mentioning this for one huge reason. It seems that there is a misunderstanding about Python being used in game development. I see all the time, mainly from Instagram pages that copy-paste information, that python is good for game development. While the language has PyGame, a library for basic 2D game development, it is not ideal for game development. Its simplicity makes it slow, extremely slow and in game development, it is not that hard to tell. On the contrary, C++ is one of the fastest programming languages. This makes it a far better option for game development of 2D or 3D video games. Lastly, Unreal Engine makes game development with C++ very quick and efficient. You may want to check it out!
The Conclusion:
It is safe to say, both Python and C++ have multiple benefits and drawbacks, which I did not cover in this post (I can write a book on this topic alone but I am trying to keep this blog post short!). To conclude, I believe there is no right or wrong answer. Both languages are great and that is why they are so popular. In my honest opinion, which language is a better tool depends solely on the developer, their knowledge of each language as well as the reason they need it. There are no bad programming languages, but all of them have different features!
