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C++ VS Common Lisp

Compare C++ VS Common Lisp and see what are their differences

C++ logo C++

Has imperative, object-oriented and generic programming features, while also providing the facilities for low level memory manipulation

Common Lisp logo Common Lisp

The modern, multi-paradigm, high-performance, compiled, ANSI-standardized descendant of the long-running family of Lisp programming languages
  • C++ Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-01

We recommend LibHunt C++ for discovery and comparisons of trending C++ projects.

  • Common Lisp Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-18

We recommend LibHunt Common Lisp for discovery and comparisons of trending Common Lisp projects.

C++ features and specs

  • Performance
    C++ is known for its high performance which is critical in resource-constrained applications such as gaming, real-time systems, and simulations.
  • Control
    C++ offers fine-grained control over system resources such as memory and CPU, allowing for efficient and optimized code.
  • Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
    C++ supports OOP, which helps in organizing complex software projects through classes and objects, encouraging code reusability and modularity.
  • Standard Template Library (STL)
    C++ includes the Standard Template Library (STL) that provides a set of common classes and algorithms, enhancing productivity and reducing the need for writing boilerplate code.
  • Backward Compatibility
    C++ is largely compatible with C, offering the flexibility to use C libraries and code, making it easier to integrate with existing C systems.
  • Rich Community and Ecosystem
    The large and active C++ community provides extensive resources, libraries, and frameworks that can aid in development and problem-solving.

Possible disadvantages of C++

  • Complexity
    C++ is a complex language with many features that can be difficult to master, leading to a steep learning curve for beginners.
  • Manual Memory Management
    C++ requires manual management of memory which can lead to errors such as memory leaks and segmentation faults if not handled correctly.
  • Lack of Modern Features
    While C++ has been updated over the years, it still lacks some modern programming features available in newer languages, which can limit productivity and ease of use.
  • Maintenance
    Maintaining C++ code can be challenging and time-consuming due to its complex syntax and potential for low-level operations.
  • Slower Compilation
    C++ programs often have slower compile times compared to those written in some other high-level languages, which can slow down the development process.
  • Portability Issues
    Despite being a general-purpose language, C++ code can face portability issues across different platforms due to compiler differences and system-specific dependencies.

Common Lisp features and specs

  • Powerful Macro System
    Common Lisp offers a robust macro system that allows for metaprogramming, letting developers easily extend the language and create domain-specific languages.
  • Dynamic Typing
    Common Lisp supports dynamic typing, which allows for more flexibility in coding and prototyping, reducing the amount of boilerplate code needed.
  • Interactive Development Environment
    It provides a powerful REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop) that aids in interactive and iterative software development, enabling quick testing and debugging.
  • Portability
    Code written in Common Lisp can be run on different platforms without modification, thanks to its standardized specification and portability across implementations.
  • Rich Standard Library
    Common Lisp comes with a comprehensive standard library that includes a wide range of utilities for data manipulation, I/O operations, and more.

Possible disadvantages of Common Lisp

  • Steep Learning Curve
    The language has an extensive set of features and a unique syntax, which can be difficult for beginners to learn and master.
  • Limited Ecosystem
    Compared to more modern languages, Common Lisp has a smaller ecosystem of libraries and community support, which can hinder development speed and resources.
  • Performance Variability
    Performance can vary significantly between different implementations of Common Lisp due to variations in optimizing compilers and runtime environments.
  • Obscure Syntax
    The syntax can be difficult to read and understand, especially for those coming from more conventional languages like Python or JavaScript.
  • Commercial Use Challenges
    Common Lisp's licensing and support can be less favorable for commercial use compared to other mainstream programming languages.

C++ videos

C++ Programming | In One Video

More videos:

  • Review - C++ Programming
  • Tutorial - C++ Tutorial for Beginners - Full Course

Common Lisp videos

Common Lisp Study Group - A In-depth Look into CLOS (part 1)

More videos:

  • Review - Common Lisp Study Group - Closures and Macro Basics

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to C++ and Common Lisp)
Programming Language
72 72%
28% 28
OOP
76 76%
24% 24
Generic Programming Language
Development
57 57%
43% 43

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, C++ should be more popular than Common Lisp. It has been mentiond 56 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

C++ mentions (56)

  • Distributed Systems: Challenges, Experiences and Tips
    About 4 months ago (approximately the last time I wrote something here), I opted to embark on a graduate school journey at Stony Brook University, Computer Science (if you have a remote position — Technical Writer and/or Software Engineer position — at a non-USA company, don't hesitate to reach out). Was it the best decision to make considering less pay (if any), more theoretical undertakings and assumptions, and... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Any opinion about tutorialspoint? Getting apparently wrong results
    Full of wrong and/or incomplete information. I prefer cplusplus.com when I need to look up some library details. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Learning DSA from scratch : The Ultimate Guide
    For C++ I would suggest using cplusplus.com. Fantastic resource to use. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Things that i should know before gettting into Data Structures and Algorithms??
    C++ was far from my first language. I took Modula-2 and FORTRAN in school. I knew about pointers, linked lists, etc before writing my first line of C++. I think the best way to learn is just to work on projects that interest you. Get familiar with online resources. I like cplusplus.com and cppreference.com (can get a little verbose). I'm also a big fan of w3schools.com. They have a good C++ tutorial for beginners. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Help
    I second this. cplusplus.com will pop up on your searches, I just blocked it. Loaded with ads and slow, and almost always less thorough than cppreference. I found geeksforgeeks OK when learning algorithms - not so much the language itself though. Source: almost 2 years ago
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Common Lisp mentions (11)

  • Origins of the Lisp logo
    The yin-yang logo with lambdas was designed by Guy Steele, and he has granted permission for its use to Common Lisp Foundation (the entity which runs common-lisp.net website and the gitlab.common-lisp.net repo). Source: about 2 years ago
  • New open source Common Lisp 3D graphics project -- call for participation
    A wiki and pm tool I personally like a lot, simple, lightweight, is trac but there is no free hosting available — but I could work on hosting on AWS for instance. MoinMoin is also a good and simple wiki. You are using Medium a lot, which could also be a sensible option but it is more a publishing platform than a collaborative platform. Gitlab is also a popular choice I believe and we could use the instance on... Source: almost 3 years ago
  • common-lisp.net down
    Does anybody have information how the content on common-lisp.net is handled? Source: about 3 years ago
  • common-lisp.net down
    Any insight into the current down-time for common-lisp.net? Source: about 3 years ago
  • What should be my next programming language?
    Python seems like a popular option these days and it is different enough from C++ in that it may teach you to think about programming in a different way. You could also try a functional language such as Lisp, Scheme) or Haskell -- they too will make you think differently about programming. Source: about 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing C++ and Common Lisp, you can also consider the following products

Python - Python is a clear and powerful object-oriented programming language, comparable to Perl, Ruby, Scheme, or Java.

D (Programming Language) - D is a language with C-like syntax and static typing.

Go Programming Language - Go, also called golang, is a programming language initially developed at Google in 2007 by Robert...

Java - A concurrent, class-based, object-oriented, language specifically designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible

F# - F# is a mature, open source, cross-platform, functional-first programming language.

Rust - A safe, concurrent, practical language