7 Advantages and Disadvantages of C Programming Language | Drawbacks & Benefits of C Programming Language

 

Procedure-oriented programming languages like C are used to create both system and application software. Each and every programming language revolves around it. Consequently, it is referred to as the mother of programming languages. Because the code structures of C and other programming languages, including Java, PHP, and JavaScript, are similar, most novices choose to study C.

C was initially used to write the apps that constructed the operating system. This language is used to write applications for well-known operating systems like UNIX. Because C is a middle-level programming language, it incorporates elements of both low- and high-level languages. As an illustration, C has both the flexibility of low level language and the characteristics of high level language.

Even though C is a well-known programming language, there are still some issues that need to be taken into consideration. Experts in the C programming language advise weighing the benefits and drawbacks before beginning any work to determine whether using it will be worthwhile for the present project.

I'll be talking about the 7 Advantages and Disadvantages of C Programming Language | Drawbacks & Benefits of C Programming Language. You now know the pros and cons of the C programming language.


Now let's get started,

Advantages of C Programming Language

1. Cost Effective


Error detection is an expensive procedure, as we are all aware. With the C language, this is not the case. 

 

The C language's structure facilitates error detection. Even some outside businesses finish this work for you and charge less for the service.


2. Speed

In comparison to other programming languages, C employs considerably fewer lines of instructions. This results in speedier program execution in C. 

 

Additionally, the compiler improves efficiency even further by speeding up code execution. In order for the compiler to function, thousands of lines must be compiled quickly.


3. Simplicity

The C language is a useful tool for novice developers to hone their coding abilities. 

 

Learning C is significantly easier than learning other programming languages. To start with C, there are a number of online tutorials accessible.



Furthermore, the C language lacks complicated grammar. Its syntax is made up of basic keywords. 

 

Since these terminology are utilized in our daily lives, the majority of developers are familiar with them. that is, if, else, main, go to, switch, and so on.


4. Platform Compatibility

Programs written in the C programming language are compatible. which indicates that it works on a variety of platforms. 

 

Its output file (.exe) and ASCII characters are the cause of this. Thus, developers don't have to worry about tailoring their code to fit a particular operating system.


5. Memory Allocation

The dynamic memory allocation feature of the C programming language enables memory distribution during system runtime. 

 

This capability comes in particularly handy if you are unaware of an application's memory requirements. After that, you can simultaneously allocate memory and run the program in C.


Unfortunately, other programming languages like Java and C++ do not have this kind of capability.


6. Library Support

The C language is renowned for having an enormous library. These libraries contain both user-defined and system-generated functions. 

 

The C compiler's header file contains all of the general functions. When creating a program, these features can be put to use.


Meanwhile, C also lets programmers write own functions. These functions can be changed based on the needs. We refer to these as user-generated functions.


7. Debugging Process

Modular structure is the foundation of the C language. Their program is constructed from discrete modules. 

 

Debugging becomes simpler whenever an issue arises because error correction must be done independently.


Furthermore, by avoiding complex statements, this process is even made simpler. This covers arrays, conditionals, pointers, variables, functions, and conditions. 

 

All you have to do to solve an issue is hit Ctrl + D. This will bring the procedure to an immediate end.

Disadvantages of C Programming Language

1. Security

The C language prioritizes visibility over data hiding, therefore hardly a lot of data is hidden. As a result, there is serious doubt about this programming language's security. 

 

Furthermore, a thorough understanding of memory management is necessary for the C language. If not, issues like buffer overflows may arise.


2. Lack of OOP Approach

In the C language, only procedure-oriented programming is available. There isn't any object-oriented programming. 

 

As a result, the C programming language lacks some characteristics like inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation. 

 

Procedure-oriented language ought to be the foundation of any method used here. Maybe by the use of function calls.


3. Error Detection

Run-time error checking is another feature absent from the C language. It alone is capable of compilation type verification. 

 

In other words, errors are displayed only when the program's development is finished. 

 

Because of this, when the programs are run, they frequently crash or produce inaccurate results. Larger programs may require more steps in the process.


4. Namespace Support

The C language lacks the namespace concept. A namespace is a collection of commands that enable the declaration of identical names with distinct variables. 

 

The names cannot be used in many contexts without namespace. As a result, a unique name needs to be assigned to each variable.


5. Memory Management

The C programming language automatically assigns all necessary resources. As a result, this language lacks memory management strategies of any type. 

 

Nevertheless, C offers the possibility of dynamic memory allocation by utilizing calloc-like methods, realloc, and free mallocs.


6. No Constructor & Destructor

Constructors and destructors are a characteristic of object-oriented programming. A variable can be created and destroyed using constructors and destructors. 

 

The C language does not have this capability because it is not OOP-based. You have to use a different function in this situation.


7. Lack of Garbage Collection

The C programming language does not have a feature called Garbage Collection either. 

 

Programming languages are known for their garbage collection mechanism, which automatically tries to reuse memory from one program and make it available to another.


Usually, this process begins as soon as there is insufficient room. The developer is in charge of storage management in the C programming language.