Why is c plus plus a super set of c language?

Answer 1

C++ is a superset of C (rather than a subset of C) because it inherits directly from C and adds object-oriented programming principals to the C language. If it were a subset of C then it would reduce the language, not enhance it. Indeed, the original C++ compiler simply translated the C++ source code into C source code which was then compiled by the C compiler. Modern C++ compilers do the same sort of thing but they do it far more efficiently, without the need to produce any intermediate C source code.

Answer 2

C++ is a superset of C, while C is a subset of C++.

C came first, developed during 1969-73. C++ first appeared in 1979 (known as C with Classes) and was originally an extension to C. By 1983 it had been renamed C++ (literally meaning the successor to C) and had become a language in its own right. Since C++ inherits from C, with only minor changes, everything you can do in C you can still do in C++, and a lot more besides, thus it is a superset of the subset.

There are some minor differences in the two C implementations, but the majority of C code will compile under C++ without any major problems. But since the only reason to do so would be to make use of OOP, editing the existing code is a prerequisite. However, despite the similarities, it is not necessary to learn C before learning C++. In fact it's better not to.

Answer 3

One of the early design goals was that C++ would be backwardly compatible with C -- the underlying language from which C++ evolved -- such that every valid C program can, with only minor alteration, become a valid C++ program that operates at least as efficiently as, if not more efficiently, than the original C would. This has unfortunately led to the introduction of some inconsistencies within the C++ language, however the alternative would mean breaking billions of lines of perfectly usable C code with little to no actual benefit over what the C++ language currently offers.

Answer 4

In the maths, any set of n elements has 2n subsets. The problem is that C++ language is not a set. Anyway, C++ is often considered to be an extension (or 'superset') of C language.