C++ vs. HTML: What’s the Difference and Which Is Better?

Are you stuck at the C++ vs. HTML crossroads? We are here to get you out of it. C++ and HTML are two distinct programming languages designed for different purposes. HTML is a markup language used for creating web pages and web applications. On the other hand, C++ is a high-level, general-purpose programming language used for developing system software, embedded systems, gaming applications, and high-performance applications.

The goal of this article is to compare and contrast C++ and HTML to assist you in determining which language is best for your specific needs. We’ll explore the pros and cons of each language and discuss common use cases.

C++ vs. HTML: Side-By-Side Comparison

What Is C++?

C++, developed by Bell Labs’ Bjarne Stroustrup, is an object-oriented programming language commonly used in generic, procedural, and data abstraction programming. It is made of both low and high-level language. Its implementations mainly consist of translators which generate machine codes from the source. As a result, most programs, operating systems, games, browsers, and applications use C++.

What Is HTML?

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language and is commonly used for web pages. So what exactly is a markup language? A markup language specifies how texts are displayed by employing annotations. This artificial language consists of angular brackets with HTML tags in their midst. The HTML tags are responsible for describing the appearance of texts and other components of the webpage in question. Regarding syntax, HTML works with Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML). 

C++ vs. HTML: What’s The Difference?

The two languages are essential and form the backbone of programming. Let’s take a look and see how they differ from each other.

Data Structure

Data structures are the formats in which data is stored, modified, or assessed. These data structures may be linear or nonlinear. There are many data structures, and the choice is solely based on the problem at hand and the desired algorithm. C++ and HTML use different data structures. 

C++ works with several data structures, including arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, hash tables, graphs, and trees. All these data structures have advantages and disadvantages, with the implementations varying in each case. On the other hand, when using HTML, you are only restricted to the tree data structure. The restriction is because HTML only works with tree structures.

Processing

Regarding processing, C++ requires compilation before the system can run it. The different C++ files need to be compiled to object files that are then linked to form an executable file for the system to run. 

HTML, on the other hand, is processed differently. It is first interpreted by signaling the browser engine to interpret the file as an HTML document. The browser will now handle the processing by first parsing the HTML code to generate a Document Object Model (DOM) by reading the HTML codes and any available CSS or Javascript. The browser can read inline, external, and embedded CSS, constructing a CSSOM Tree from them and finally constructing a Render Tree. The remaining step now involves printing the browser’s web page elements from the Render-Tree.

Use Cases

With uses in mind, it is pretty easy to end this debate as your ideal language depends on your specific needs. So what are C++ and HTML commonly used for?

C++ is a general-purpose coding language commonly used for making operating systems like macOS, developing games, and other banking applications. On the other hand, HTML is preferably used for websites, acting as the foundation for web development. This is in addition to JavaScript and CSS used for front-end web development.

Since we can use both languages on web pages, what is the difference? Although they both work with web pages, C++ handles the language on the server side, whereas HTML codes the client side of the page. As a result, HTML is responsible for all you see on that web page, while C++ handles the workability of the page.

The Syntax

This is the set of rules that you follow when writing statements using a programming language. Syntax helps in defining the structure of a language and helps guide its user. C++ and HTML may have closely related syntax, but they have significant differences in some of their aspects. 

C++ uses different syntaxes depending on the components being dealt with. When writing a header file, we use # followed by the header itself, which should be between angular brackets. When dealing with the namespace, and main function, different syntaxes apply. The structure generally comprises semicolons that terminate code lines, identifiers, and keywords. All these rules must be followed when dealing with the program’s various components. 

As a markup language, HTML consists of tags enclosed in angular brackets. These tags represent the instructions and guidelines the web page will read and display. Most of these tags are paired to show the text’s beginning and end, and the one at the end includes a forward slash between the angular brackets. 

Compatible Programming Tools

A tool is any software that helps make programming easier when using any language. There are many different tools, but an IDE is the most common. IDE stands for Integrated Development Environment and is crucial in making coding easier. How do C++ and HTML differ regarding the IDEs they use?

The list of IDEs C++ is compatible with is endless. However, the most popular options include Visual Studio, Eclipse, NetBeans, Visual Studio Code, CLion, Qt Creator, Xcode, and Code::Blocks. HTML also has a list of tools that allow the editing of codes and auto-completion. The tools include Atom, Notepad++, Sublime Text, Visual Studio Code, Adobe Dreamweaver CC, Froala, and CoffeeCup. 

Variables

In programming, variables refer to the containers that store data values. C++ and HTML have different data values. In C++, there are several variables, each with its keywords. Some of the variables include:

• int: Stores non-decimal whole numbers
• double: Stores floating point numbers, including decimal numbers
• char: Stores single characters, and the values are put between single quotes
• string: Stores text, and the values are in between double quotes
• bool: Stores values with two states: true or false

HTML uses the element to show variables, both a code and mathematical equation. Italics are typically used to highlight text within an element.

C++ vs. HTML: 6 Must-Know Facts

• C++ is a programming language commonly used for developing standalone applications and software from games to drivers, and data structures. HTML, on the other hand, is solely used for developing web pages.
• C++ works with several data structures, from arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, hash tables, graphs, and trees. The data structures have advantages and disadvantages, with varying implementations. HTML is different in the sense that it only uses the tree structure.
• In the processing sequence, several C++ files need to be compiled to object files that are then linked, forming an executable file that the system can run. However, HTML codes are readily interpreted as they stay the same during processing. The browser readily reads the codes and prints the web page elements. 
• C++ uses different syntaxes, and they all change depending on the components being dealt with. The header file, namespace, and name functions are some of these components. In HTML, the syntax usually comprises tags enclosed in angular brackets. The tags are paired to show the text’s beginning and end, with the end tag having a forward slash between the angular brackets.
• C++ has different variables, with each having its keyword. These variables include int, double, char, string, and bool. HTML, on the other hand, uses element as a variable. The text between this element is usually in italics. 
• C++ uses different IDEs, including Visual Studio, Eclipse, and NetBeans.

C++ vs. HTML: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?

Now that we have covered the differences between C++ and HTML, which is better? Unfortunately, we cannot crown a winner in this C++ vs. HTML debate since the two programming languages serve different purposes. Their different roles make it hard to put the two languages head to head and declare the better option. So, which one should you use?

HTML is a markup language that is best suited for web-based applications. We recommend you use HTML whenever you need to develop a web page interface, as it allows you to customize the web. C++, on the other hand, is a programming language you can use to code hardware and software-level applications. We recommend C++ if you need any standalone applications like games or software or if you are developing the servers that a webpage will use.