Why would someone use C instead of C++? [duplicate]

Question

Possible Duplicate:
Why artificially limit your code to C?

I started off with learning C, but then jumped straight into C++ simply because it supports OO and was also required for subsequent work. However, some companies insist on employing people with particularly strong C experience - and I've noticed this applies especially to hardware driver development companies.

Answer 1

C string handling is very different than C++ typical string code. Certainly I wouldn't want any C++ string near my drivers!

More specifically, in good, modern C++ you don't really have to understand pointers and handle buffers at low level; but these are basic and crucial skills in device driver code.

Yes, it's possible to write good drivers in C++; but that C++ would really look like C with a few extra features. Most of the C++ library has no place in deviceland.

Answer 2

It could simply be that they do not have a C++ compiler for the platform they are working with... Personally I would always use C++ in preference to C.

Answer 3

C is much more portable - under the current level of standardization of C++, it simply can't be used when portability is important. It is also very hard for C++ code to be integrated (in a reliable and portable manner) into a C environment.