C vs. Python — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 14, 2024
C is a statically typed, low-level language for system programming and embedded systems, focusing on performance and efficiency, whereas Python is a dynamically typed, high-level language known for its ease of use and readability.
Difference Between C and Python
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
C is known for its close-to-hardware level of operation, which gives programmers extensive control over system resources. This is essential in contexts where performance and memory usage must be meticulously managed. On the other hand, Python abstracts many details related to memory management and hardware, focusing on code readability and simplicity, which reduces development time but can incur a performance overhead.
In terms of syntax, C requires more lines of code and a more complex syntax to perform similar tasks, as it involves manual management of low-level details like memory allocation. Python, however, offers a simpler and more readable syntax that allows for expressing concepts in fewer lines without direct manipulation of hardware or memory.
C is a compiled language, meaning its source code is transformed into machine code through a compiler which makes the resulting program very fast at execution time. In contrast, Python is an interpreted language, typically slower in execution because it is processed by the interpreter at runtime.
C does not support many high-level programming features natively, such as object-oriented or functional programming, unless specifically implemented by the programmer. Whereas Python inherently supports multiple programming paradigms, including object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming, out of the box.
Error handling in C is typically done using additional checks and functions, such as verifying pointers for NULL values. Python uses exceptions that can be caught and handled further up the call stack, making error handling cleaner and more consistent across different types of errors.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Typing System
Statically typed
Dynamically typed
Level of Language
Low-level
High-level
Syntax Complexity
Complex and verbose
Simple and readable
Execution Type
Compiled
Interpreted
Programming Paradigms
Procedural, with support for structured programming
Object-oriented, imperative, functional
Compare with Definitions
C
A foundational programming language designed for system programming and embedded systems.
C is used to develop operating systems and embedded systems due to its low-level capabilities.
Python
A concise way to create lists in Python.
List comprehensions in Python allow for creating new lists by applying an expression to each element in a sequence.
C
C is compiled, meaning its programs are converted directly into machine code.
C programs must be compiled before running, resulting in faster execution.
Python
Python code is executed by an interpreter at runtime.
Python programs can be run immediately without a separate compilation step.
C
A data structure in C that groups related variables.
Structs are widely used in C for organizing data in a structured way.
Python
A Python feature that allows modification of functions using other functions.
Decorators in Python are used extensively for adding functionality to existing functions.
C
C, or c, is the third letter in the English and ISO basic Latin alphabets. Its name in English is cee (pronounced ), plural cees.
Python
A large heavy-bodied non-venomous snake occurring throughout the Old World tropics, killing prey by constriction and asphyxiation.
C
The third letter of the alphabet.
Python
A high-level general-purpose programming language.
C
A shape like that of a letter C
C-springs
Python
Greek Mythology A dragon or serpent that was the tutelary demon of the oracular cult at Delphi until killed and expropriated by Apollo.
C
The first note of the diatonic scale of C major, the major scale having no sharps or flats.
Python
A soothsaying spirit or demon.
C
The Roman numeral for 100.
Python
A person possessed by such a spirit.
C
A computer programming language originally developed for implementing the Unix operating system.
Python
Any of various nonvenomous snakes of the family Pythonidae, found chiefly in Asia, Africa, and Australia, that coil around and asphyxiate their prey. Some pythons can attain lengths of 8 meters (26 feet) or more.
C
A widely used programming language.
Python
A type of large constricting snake.
C
The third letter of the modern English alphabet.
Python
A penis.
C
Any of the speech sounds represented by the letter c.
Python
Any species of very large snakes of the genus Python, and allied genera, of the family Pythonidæ. They are nearly allied to the boas. Called also rock snake.
C
The third in a series.
Python
A diviner by spirits.
C
Something shaped like the letter C.
Python
Large Old World boas
C
C The third best or third highest in quality or rank
A mark of C on a term paper.
Python
A soothsaying spirit or a person who is possessed by such a spirit
C
The first tone in the scale of C major or the third tone in the relative minor scale.
Python
(Greek mythology) dragon killed by Apollo at Delphi
C
A key or scale in which the tone of C is the tonic.
Python
A high-level, dynamically typed programming language known for its ease of use and readability.
Python is favored for web development, data analysis, and artificial intelligence.
C
A written or printed note representing this tone.
Python
Python's package installer, used for installing and managing software packages.
Pip makes it easy to install and manage Python libraries.
C
A string, key, or pipe tuned to the pitch of this tone.
C
A widely used object-oriented programming language based on C.
C
Alternative form of c.
C
Alternative form of c.
C
C is the third letter of the English alphabet. It is from the Latin letter C, which in old Latin represented the sounds of k, and g (in go); its original value being the latter. In Anglo-Saxon words, or Old English before the Norman Conquest, it always has the sound of k. The Latin C was the same letter as the Greek
C
The keynote of the normal or "natural" scale, which has neither flats nor sharps in its signature; also, the third note of the relative minor scale of the same.
C
As a numeral, C stands for Latin centum or 100, CC for 200, etc.
C
A degree on the Centigrade scale of temperature
C
The speed at which light travels in a vacuum; the constancy and universality of the speed of light is recognized by defining it to be exactly 299,792,458 meters per second
C
One of the four nucleotides used in building DNA; all four nucleotides have a common phosphate group and a sugar (ribose)
C
A base found in DNA and RNA and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with guanine
C
An abundant nonmetallic tetravalent element occurring in three allotropic forms: amorphous carbon and graphite and diamond; occurs in all organic compounds
C
Ten 10s
C
A unit of electrical charge equal to the amount of charge transferred by a current of 1 ampere in 1 second
C
A general-purpose programing language closely associated with the UNIX operating system
C
The 3rd letter of the Roman alphabet
C
Street names for cocaine
C
Being ten more than ninety
C
A variable that stores memory addresses, a core feature in C for memory management.
Pointers in C are essential for efficient memory management.
C
Contains declarations of functions and variables, which are included in various C programs.
Header files in C are used to share interfaces and declarations between source files.
Common Curiosities
Which language is better for beginners?
Python is generally considered better for beginners due to its simple syntax and readability.
What is the main difference between C and Python?
C is a low-level, statically typed compiled language, while Python is a high-level, dynamically typed interpreted language.
How do C and Python manage memory?
C requires manual memory management, whereas Python automates memory management through a garbage collector.
How does error handling differ between C and Python?
C uses manual error checks, while Python employs exception handling for errors.
Which language supports more programming paradigms?
Python supports multiple paradigms such as object-oriented and functional programming more naturally than C.
Is C still relevant today?
C remains highly relevant in fields that require close-to-hardware manipulation, such as embedded systems and operating system development.
Which language executes programs faster?
C typically executes programs faster than Python due to its nature as a compiled language.
What are pointers used for in C?
Pointers in C are used for direct memory access and management, critical in systems programming.
Can Python perform all the tasks that C can?
Python can perform most tasks that C can, but with potentially less efficiency in terms of execution speed and memory usage.
What does dynamic typing mean for Python programmers?
Dynamic typing in Python allows variables to hold values of any type without an explicit declaration.
Are Python and C interoperable?
Yes, Python can be integrated with C for performance-critical tasks, using tools like Cython.
What is static typing in C?
Static typing in C means that variable types are known at compile time.
Can the performance gap between Python and C be mitigated?
The performance gap can be mitigated by using Python implementations like PyPy, or by integrating Python with optimized C modules.
Why is Python preferred for applications like web development and data analysis?
Python's vast ecosystem of libraries and frameworks makes it ideal for tasks such as web development and data analysis.
How does Python enhance productivity?
Python enhances productivity through its simple syntax, readability, and large standard library.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Cheeseburger vs. Hamburger
Next Comparison
Totipotent vs. PluripotentAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
