what does it mean a programming language is "fast"

Discussion in 'Programming' started by doridori, Oct 1, 2008.

  1. #1
    what does it mean when we say c++ is fast. does it mean it compiles faster? or maybe the programs that are produced runs faster ?
     
    doridori, Oct 1, 2008 IP
  2. joebert

    joebert Well-Known Member

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    #2
    Usually when someone just says something like "C++ is fast", there's a really good chance they don't know what they're talking about. You should call that person out and see why they say it is fast.
     
    joebert, Oct 1, 2008 IP
  3. Vooler

    Vooler Well-Known Member

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    #3
    Yes.

    BUT

    There are basically two type of languages generally:
    1. the ones which compile your code to machine understandable executable; called compilers
    2. The ones which interpret the scripts / code; these are called interpreters.

    C / C++ are compilers, they compile your code to executable (can also be used with CGI)
    PHP / ASP are interpreters, they are already compiled executables ehich interpret your script / code files.

    CONCLUSION:

    The code compiled to an executable that is understandable for your machine is much more faster than a script that is interpreted by an interpreter that executes your instructions (syntax) after verifying it.


    I heop it helps.

    regards
     
    Vooler, Oct 1, 2008 IP
  4. ZenOswyn

    ZenOswyn Peon

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    #4
    Yep, like the prevous poster said, there are basically two types of languages; interpreted and compiled. With an interpreted language (PHP, Perl, Python, ASP, etc) the interpreter basically recompiles the program every time its ran. This creates a lot of overhead in the process.

    If you'd like to see how fast certain languages are, check out http://shootout.alioth.debian.org/ .

    But, to say one language is faster than another is a simplification. It depends on the type of work you're doing. While C++ is "faster", you'll spend a lot more time coding than if you were to use VB.NET, for example.
     
    ZenOswyn, Oct 1, 2008 IP
  5. ezprint2008

    ezprint2008 Well-Known Member

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    #5
    also code within languages can be made to be fas tor slow.
    so when a script on your page has to communicate off your page with a server and then run some queries from a database or from handler files etc.. depending on the coding and the database set up , the whole process could be fast or slow. even if you're only talkin a few milliseconds ..but with millions of users all hitting the same pages and blah blah .
     
    ezprint2008, Oct 2, 2008 IP
  6. doridori

    doridori Banned

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    #6
    ah i see. i understand it now. thank you!
     
    doridori, Oct 7, 2008 IP
  7. caffeinefree

    caffeinefree Guest

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    #7
    Software consists of layers. So when you hear term lower level language it is capable of better
    performance than a high level language. However, as other posters mentioned, coding in low level
    languages is both difficult and time consuming. Technically, unmanaged c++ (non .net) can
    perform better than .net version (managed c++). However, there are other cavets to using unmanaged
    c++ code like memory management (leaks) and such.
     
    caffeinefree, Oct 8, 2008 IP
  8. gzav

    gzav Peon

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    #8
    It basically boils down to it processing quicker.
     
    gzav, Oct 9, 2008 IP
  9. webdesigners

    webdesigners Banned

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    #9
    Yea, c++ works faster. My web developing team's people showed me working of c++ that how fasts & better it works.
     
    webdesigners, Oct 9, 2008 IP
  10. leska

    leska Member

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    #10
    You can ask Google about PL performance. Use query: programming language performance comparison
     
    leska, Oct 11, 2008 IP