Can anybody tell me about c and c++ language usage in aircrafts?

Question

Can anybody tell me about c and c++ language usage in aircrafts?

Answer 1

Well, C and C++ is widely used in aviation industry. The main reasons of this are performance and security. As we all know, we can have both of these factors in C and C++.

Nearly all of the avionic softwares out there are safety-critical and must be in compliance with various certifications such as DO-178B/C.

C++ is a much "safer" language than C with it's constant correctness, conversion restrictions, exception handling etc. Also has many powerful tools that C doesn't have, such as STL and classes.

However C is more efficient when it comes to time complexity. So in fast procedures such as message processing, C is may be preferable. But it totally depends on the deadlines of the process. Also C is desired in the low-level applications like writing a driver.

When it comes to design a GUI or a simulator, there is no better choice than C++ for avionics. You have your powerful tools besides the high performance.