C++ vs Python (Statically Typed language vs Dynamic Language)

What Does “Dynamic Language” Mean?

A dynamic language is a programming language where many behaviors typically fixed at compile time (like type-checking or memory allocation) are done at runtime. Dynamic languages often support features like:

• Dynamic typing: The types of variables are determined at runtime.
• Dynamic memory management: Memory is allocated and freed automatically at runtime.
• Reflection: Code can inspect and modify its own structure during execution.
• Interpreted: They are often interpreted, not compiled (though this is not a strict rule).

Python: A Dynamic Language

Yes, Python is considered a dynamic language for the following reasons:

1. Dynamic Typing: In Python, you don’t need to declare the data type of a variable. The interpreter determines the type at runtime. This flexibility allows variables to change types dynamically during execution.

2. Automatic Memory Management: Python uses garbage collection and dynamic memory management. Memory allocation and deallocation are handled automatically without requiring the programmer to explicitly manage it.

3. Interpreted: Python is typically interpreted, meaning code is executed line-by-line at runtime, which is characteristic of dynamic languages.

4. Runtime Features: Python has rich reflection and introspection capabilities, where you can dynamically inspect and modify objects, functions, and classes during execution.

C++: A Statically Typed Language

C++, on the other hand, is not a dynamic language; it is a statically typed language. Here’s why:

1. Static Typing: In C++, the type of every variable must be known at compile time. You must declare the type of each variable before using it: This contrasts with Python’s dynamic typing, where types are determined at runtime.

2. Manual Memory Management: While C++ has features like automatic memory management with smart pointers, raw pointers still allow for manual memory management using new and delete. This requires the programmer to manage memory explicitly, unlike Python, which relies on garbage collection.

3. Compiled Language: C++ is typically a compiled language, where code is translated into machine code before execution. This compilation process ensures that many errors (like type errors) are caught before the program is run, whereas dynamic languages typically catch such errors at runtime.

4. Limited Reflection: C++ has limited reflection capabilities compared to dynamic languages. While there are some ways to inspect types (via templates and RTTI — Runtime Type Information), it is far less dynamic than Python’s capabilities.

Conclusion

• Python is a dynamic language because it supports dynamic typing, automatic memory management, and runtime flexibility. These features make Python flexible and easier to use for rapid development.
• C++ is a statically typed language. It requires types to be specified at compile time and does not have the same dynamic features that languages like Python provide.

It’s true that C++ has features that allow certain operations to happen at runtime, which might seem “dynamic” in some respects. However, even with these dynamic capabilities, C++ is still classified as a statically-typed language and is not considered a dynamic language

1. Dynamic Features in C++: C++ has features that provide runtime flexibility, such as:

• Polymorphism (via virtual functions): C++ allows dynamic (runtime) dispatch of functions using virtual functions. This allows the appropriate method to be selected based on the actual type of the object at runtime.
• Dynamic Memory Allocation: C++ supports dynamic memory allocation using new and delete, allowing memory to be allocated and freed at runtime.
• Type Casting and RTTI (Runtime Type Information): C++ provides RTTI, which allows the type of an object to be checked at runtime using typeid or dynamic_cast. This gives C++ some runtime type inspection abilities, but it's limited compared to dynamic languages like Python.
• Despite these dynamic features, C++ still requires that:
• All types are known at compile-time (with a few exceptions like polymorphism).
• Variables must be declared with a specific type, and the language performs static type checking.

2. Dynamic Language vs Dynamic Features: A dynamic language is a language where the type system and key behaviors are resolved at runtime. These languages, such as Python or JavaScript, are characterized by:

• Dynamic typing: Variables are dynamically typed at runtime, and their types can change during execution.
• Garbage collection: Memory management is handled automatically and dynamically at runtime.
• Reflection and metaprogramming: Dynamic languages often allow you to modify types, classes, or functions at runtime.
• No compile-time type checking: Errors like type mismatches are caught only when the code is executed.

C++ is a statically typed language, meaning most of the type checking and compilation happens at compile time, which is a hallmark of static languages.