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C++ vs Electron: What are the differences?
Key Differences between C++ and Electron
C++ and Electron are two different technologies used for software development. While C++ is a programming language, Electron is a framework for building desktop applications using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Here are the key differences between C++ and Electron:
Execution Environment: C++ is a compiled language, which means that the code needs to be compiled into machine code and executed directly by the computer's processor. On the other hand, Electron applications are built using web technologies and are executed within a bundled version of the Chromium browser engine.
Platform Independence: C++ code needs to be compiled separately for each target platform, such as Windows, macOS, and Linux. In contrast, Electron allows for building cross-platform applications, as the same codebase can be used to create applications for multiple operating systems.
Graphical User Interface (GUI): C++ provides a wide range of libraries and frameworks for creating graphical user interfaces. Developers have more control over the appearance and behavior of the GUI elements. In Electron, GUI elements are built using web technologies, which provide a standardized look and feel across different platforms but may have less flexibility in customization.
Performance: C++ is known for its high performance, as it directly compiles to machine code. It allows for fine-tuning and optimization, making it suitable for resource-intensive applications and real-time systems. Electron, being built on web technologies, may have some performance overhead due to the interpretation of JavaScript and the use of the Chromium engine.
Development Workflow: C++ development typically involves writing code in a text editor or an integrated development environment (IDE), compiling it with a compiler, and running the executable file. Electron development, on the other hand, follows a web development workflow, where code can be written and tested directly in a browser-like environment with hot-reloading capabilities.
Community and Ecosystem: C++ has been around for several decades and has a mature and extensive community and ecosystem. There are various libraries, frameworks, and resources available for C++ development. Electron, being a relatively newer technology, has a growing community and ecosystem focused on building desktop applications with web technologies.
In summary, C++ and Electron differ in their execution environment, platform independence, GUI options, performance, development workflow, and community ecosystem. While C++ provides more control and performance optimization, Electron offers cross-platform compatibility and a familiar web development workflow.
As a personal research project I wanted to add post-quantum crypto KEM (key encapsulation) algorithms and new symmetric crypto session algorithms to openssh. I found the openssh code and its channel/context management extremely complex.
Concurrently, I was learning Go. It occurred to me that Go's excellent standard library, including crypto libraries, plus its much safer memory model and string/buffer handling would be better suited to a secure remote shell solution. So I started from scratch, writing a clean-room Go-based solution, without regard for ssh compatibility. Interactive and token-based login, secure copy and tunnels.
Of course, it needs a proper security audit for side channel attacks, protocol vulnerabilities and so on -- but I was impressed by how much simpler a client-server application with crypto and complex terminal handling was in Go.
$ sloc openssh-portable
Languages Files Code Comment Blank Total CodeLns
Total 502 112982 14327 15705 143014 100.0%
C 389 105938 13349 14416 133703 93.5%
Shell 92 6118 937 1129 8184 5.7%
Make 16 468 37 131 636 0.4%
AWK 1 363 0 7 370 0.3%
C++ 3 79 4 18 101 0.1%
Conf 1 16 0 4 20 0.0%
$ sloc xs
Languages Files Code Comment Blank Total CodeLns
Total 34 3658 1231 655 5544 100.0%
Go 19 3230 1199 507 4936 89.0%
Markdown 2 181 0 76 257 4.6%
Make 7 148 4 50 202 3.6%
YAML 1 39 0 5 44 0.8%
Text 1 30 0 7 37 0.7%
Modula 1 16 0 2 18 0.3%
Shell 3 14 28 8 50 0.9%
Pros of C++
- Performance202
- Control over memory allocation106
- Cross-platform97
- Fast96
- Object oriented84
- Industry standard57
- Smart pointers47
- Templates37
- Gui toolkits16
- Raii16
- Generic programming13
- Control13
- Flexibility13
- Metaprogramming11
- Hardcore9
- Simple5
- Full-fledged containers/collections API5
- Many large libraries5
- Performant multi-paradigm language4
- Large number of Libraries4
- Way too complicated3
- Close to Reality1
- Plenty of useful features1
Pros of Electron
- Easy to make rich cross platform desktop applications69
- Open source53
- Great looking apps such as Slack and Visual Studio Code14
- Because it's cross platform8
- Use Node.js in the Main Process4
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Cons of C++
- Slow compilation8
- Unsafe8
- Over-complicated6
- Fragile ABI6
- No standard/mainstream dependency management5
- Templates mess with compilation units4
- Too low level for most tasks3
- Compile time features are a mess1
- Template metaprogramming is insane1
- Segfaults1
- Unreal engine1
Cons of Electron
- Uses a lot of memory18
- User experience never as good as a native app8
- No proper documentation4
- Does not native4
- Each app needs to install a new chromium + nodejs1
- Wrong reference for dom inspection1
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What is C++?
What is Electron?
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