Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!
C++ vs YAML: What are the differences?
Key Differences between C++ and YAML
1. Syntax and Purpose:
C++ is a programming language that is used to develop software applications. It has a complex syntax and is primarily used for low-level programming, system programming, and game development. On the other hand, YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is a human-readable data serialization language. It is primarily used for configuration files and data exchange between languages that may not share the same data models.
2. Data Types and Variables:
In C++, variables are declared with specific data types (such as int, float, etc.) and can hold different values depending on their types. It has a strong type enforcement, meaning variables cannot be assigned values of different types. YAML, however, is a dynamically typed language that does not require explicit variable declaration. It does not enforce strict data types, allowing values to be assigned flexibly.
3. Control Structures:
C++ provides various control structures like if-else, loops (for, while), switch cases, etc., that allow programmers to control the flow of execution based on conditions. YAML, being a data serialization language, does not provide control structures or programming constructs. It focuses on defining data structures and values rather than defining the logic and flow of a program.
4. Object-Oriented Programming:
C++ is a powerful language that supports object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts like classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, etc. It allows programmers to organize code into reusable components and implement complex data structures. YAML, on the other hand, does not support object-oriented programming. It is primarily used for representing simple data structures and key-value pairs.
5. Code Execution:
C++ code needs to be compiled into machine code before it can be executed. It requires a compiler to translate the code into machine-readable instructions. Once compiled, the executable file can be run directly by the operating system. YAML, being a data serialization language, does not require compilation. It is interpreted directly by the software that processes the YAML data, such as configuration parsers or libraries.
6. Error Handling and Exception Handling:
In C++, error handling is commonly done using exception handling mechanisms like try-catch blocks. Exception handling allows programmers to catch and handle runtime errors gracefully, ensuring proper program execution. YAML, being a data serialization language, does not have built-in exception handling mechanisms. Error handling in YAML is usually handled at the application level, where the YAML data is being processed.
In summary, C++ is a powerful programming language used for software development, while YAML is a data serialization language primarily used for configuration files and data exchange. The key differences lie in their syntax, purpose, data types, control structures, object-oriented programming support, code execution, and error handling approaches.
As a personal research project I wanted to add post-quantum crypto KEM (key encapsulation) algorithms and new symmetric crypto session algorithms to openssh. I found the openssh code and its channel/context management extremely complex.
Concurrently, I was learning Go. It occurred to me that Go's excellent standard library, including crypto libraries, plus its much safer memory model and string/buffer handling would be better suited to a secure remote shell solution. So I started from scratch, writing a clean-room Go-based solution, without regard for ssh compatibility. Interactive and token-based login, secure copy and tunnels.
Of course, it needs a proper security audit for side channel attacks, protocol vulnerabilities and so on -- but I was impressed by how much simpler a client-server application with crypto and complex terminal handling was in Go.
$ sloc openssh-portable
Languages Files Code Comment Blank Total CodeLns
Total 502 112982 14327 15705 143014 100.0%
C 389 105938 13349 14416 133703 93.5%
Shell 92 6118 937 1129 8184 5.7%
Make 16 468 37 131 636 0.4%
AWK 1 363 0 7 370 0.3%
C++ 3 79 4 18 101 0.1%
Conf 1 16 0 4 20 0.0%
$ sloc xs
Languages Files Code Comment Blank Total CodeLns
Total 34 3658 1231 655 5544 100.0%
Go 19 3230 1199 507 4936 89.0%
Markdown 2 181 0 76 257 4.6%
Make 7 148 4 50 202 3.6%
YAML 1 39 0 5 44 0.8%
Text 1 30 0 7 37 0.7%
Modula 1 16 0 2 18 0.3%
Shell 3 14 28 8 50 0.9%
Pros of C++
- Performance203
- Control over memory allocation108
- Cross-platform99
- Fast98
- Object oriented85
- Industry standard59
- Smart pointers48
- Templates38
- Gui toolkits17
- Raii17
- Flexibility14
- Generic programming14
- Control14
- Metaprogramming12
- Hardcore10
- Full-fledged containers/collections API5
- Many large libraries5
- Simple5
- Large number of Libraries4
- Performant multi-paradigm language4
- Way too complicated3
- Close to Reality1
- Plenty of useful features1
Pros of YAML
Sign up to add or upvote prosMake informed product decisions
Cons of C++
- Slow compilation8
- Unsafe8
- Over-complicated6
- Fragile ABI6
- No standard/mainstream dependency management5
- Templates mess with compilation units4
- Too low level for most tasks3
- Compile time features are a mess1
- Template metaprogramming is insane1
- Segfaults1
- Unreal engine1
Cons of YAML
Sign up to add or upvote consMake informed product decisions
What is C++?
What is YAML?
Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!
What companies use YAML?
Sign up to get full access to all the companiesMake informed product decisions
Sign up to get full access to all the tool integrationsMake informed product decisions
Blog Posts
+5
+9
+4
+7
+6+14
+8
+15