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Last updated at 2023-07-26

Difference Between .C, .Cpp, .Cxx, .Cc Extensions

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Jul 26, 2023 07:11 AM
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difference-between-c-cpp-cxx-cc-extensions
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Jul 25, 2023
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C
C++

Introduction

C and C++ are very popular among developers because of their history as the foundation of modern languages. Chances are that you happen to work using this language if you need to interact with lower-level OS routines.
These two languages have different file extensions. Besides having different extensions, each language also has an array of extensions that are valid for its respective compiler.
In this article, you will explore the differences between .c, .cpp, .cxx, and .cc extension.
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The Difference

1. .c Extension:

  • The .c extension is commonly used to denote C source code files.

2. .C Extension:

  • The .C extension is commonly used to denote C++ source code files.
  • Note that this is different from .c extension which used for C source code file

3. .cpp Extension:

  • The .cpp extension is the most commonly used extension for C++ source code files.
  • It is widely recognized by compilers and IDEs as the standard extension for C++ code.

4. .cxx Extension:

  • The .cxx extension is another alternative that can be used for C++ source code files.
  • Some developers may use the .cxx extension to differentiate between C and C++ code.

5. .cc Extension:

  • The .cc extension is also used for C++ source code files.
  • The .cc extension is often associated with older C++ codebases or specific coding conventions.

Conclusion

In summary, the .c extension is reserved for C source code while .C, .cpp, .cxx, and .cc extension are for C++ source code.
While usually C++ source code file uses .cpp , some developers may use alternative extension like .cxx or .cc for various reason. Those reason can be the convention in the platform such as Unix or Windows, or IDE and compiler being used.
The file extension does not affect the functionality or behavior of the code itself. If you want to use that extension, it is better to maintain consistency within a project and ensure that the chosen extension is supported by your team compiler or IDE.
Reference:
https://fileinfo.com/extension/c
https://fileinfo.com/extension/cxx
https://fileinfo.com/extension/cc
https://fileinfo.com/extension/cpp

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