Issues in porting software from C to C++

This paper describes an experiment in the development of a small piece of software in both the languages C and C++ in a university setting. The C++ codes were found to be more modular than the corresponding C codes. Some of the other effects of C++ on program quality are very briefly discussed. The paper also discusses some of the errors that C programmers may make as novice C++ programmers, and the testing of object-oriented programs. Some of the error types possible in C++, but not in C, include delays in the flushing of output buffers and polymorphism.