|
 (Click here for a personal note from Marshall Cline.) |
|
Section 30:
| 30.1 | What's the difference between C++ and Smalltalk? |
| 30.2 | What is "static typing," and how is it similar/dissimilar to Smalltalk? |
| 30.3 | Which is a better fit for C++: "static typing" or "dynamic typing"? |
| 30.4 | How do you use inheritance in C++, and is that different from Smalltalk? |
| 30.5 | What are the practical consequences of differences in Smalltalk/C++ inheritance? |
E-mail the author
[30.1] What's the difference between C++ and Smalltalk?
Both fully support the OO paradigm. Neither is categorically and universally "better" than the other. But there are differences. The most important differences are:
- Static typing vs. dynamic typing
- Whether inheritance must be used only for subtyping
- Value vs. reference semantics
Note: If you have a Smalltalk background, this section will tell you the most important things you need to effectively use C++. Please don't get the notion that either language is somehow "inferior" or "bad", or that this section is promoting one language over the other. I am not a language bigot, having served on both the ANSI C++ and ANSI Smalltalk standardization committees, and I don't recommend language bigotry. Instead, this section is designed to help you understand (and embrace!) the differences.