Why C is Not Strictly Object-Oriented and What is OOP?

Many programmers are often curious about the origins of C ,one of the most widely-used programming languages with strong object-oriented programming (OOP) capabilities. The question naturally arises: why is C object-oriented while C is not,despite its rich set of features? In this article, we will explore the history, design philosophy, and capabilities of both C and C .

History and Design Philosophy

Historically, C was not designed with the primary goal of being an object-oriented language. It was created with a focus on portability and efficiency, to make it easier to program low-level hardware. C was an evolution of C, extending it with features to support object-oriented programming techniques. This decision was made to provide a solution that could bridge the gap between high-level abstractions and low-level hardware programming, promoting code reusability and maintainability.

Features of C and C

It's important to understand that C has several features that can be used to implement object-oriented concepts. However, this does not mean that C is inherently an object-oriented language. In fact, C was originally called “C with classes,” indicating that C was the proper successor for object-oriented programming.

C: Features for Object-Oriented Programming

Despite being a procedural language, C has the foundational features needed to implement OOP, such as encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. These features are typically provided through:

Encapsulation: This is achieved through the use of structures and functions. Structures can be seen as the equivalent of classes in C . Inheritance: C does not have direct support for inheritance like C , but it can be implemented manually using techniques such as function pointers and opaque pointers. Polymorphism: C does not have native support for polymorphism, but it can be achieved through function pointers. Abstraction: C allows for abstraction through the use of macros and functions to hide implementation details.

C : A Procedural with an OOP Hat

C was designed explicitly to support OOP. It introduced the concept of classes, which are the building blocks of object-oriented programming. The language provides direct support for encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism, making it easier to write maintainable, scalable, and reusable code.

Advantages of C

Some of the reasons why C is considered a more suitable language for OOP include:

Built-in Libraries: C has a vast collection of standard libraries, like the Standard Template Library (STL), which greatly simplifies common programming tasks such as sorting and searching. Object-Oriented Constructs: The language supports classes, objects, and inheritance, which are essential for OOP. UI/UX Libraries: Libraries like Qt provide comprehensive support for user interface development, making C a powerful choice for desktop and embedded applications. Exception Handling: C supports exception handling mechanisms, which are crucial for robust, error-resistant code.

Conclusion

To summarize, C is not strictly object-oriented because it was designed with a focus on procedural programming, portability, and performance. However, it does have the necessary features to support OOP, allowing it to be used for object-oriented programming. On the other hand, C was explicitly designed as an object-oriented language, providing direct support for OOP concepts. Whether you choose C or C , the choice should depend on the specific needs of your project, the performance requirements, and the level of abstraction you need.