Introduction
In today’s world of game development, there are several engines available that can help you bring your ideas to life. Two of the most popular ones are Unreal Engine and Unity 3D.
The Evolution of Unreal Engine’s Programming Languages
Unreal Engine was originally developed using C++ as its primary programming language. However, in recent years, it has also embraced C as an alternative language, which can be used alongside or instead of C++. This shift occurred when Epic Games, the creators of Unreal Engine, released version 4.23 in 2016. At that time, they announced that developers could write code using either C++ or C, and that both languages would be fully supported by the engine.
The Benefits of Using C++ in Unreal Engine
One of the main reasons why Unreal Engine originally used C++ is because it offers better performance than C. This is because C++ is a compiled language, which means that it can run faster and more efficiently than interpreted languages like C. Additionally, C++ is a low-level language, which gives developers greater control over the hardware, allowing them to optimize their code for specific platforms or devices.
Moreover, Unreal Engine has been around for much longer than Unity 3D, and as such, it has a more established community of developers who are well-versed in C++. This means that there is a wealth of resources available for those who want to learn the language and its intricacies, making it easier to develop games using Unreal Engine.
The Benefits of Using C in Unreal Engine
While C++ offers better performance, C is a more modern language that can be easier to learn and use than C++. This is because C is an object-oriented language, which means that it is designed to work with objects, making it easier to structure code and maintain large projects. Additionally, C has built-in support for garbage collection, which helps to reduce the risk of memory leaks and other issues that can cause problems in large applications.
Moreover, Unreal Engine’s embrace of C has opened up new opportunities for developers who may not be familiar with C++. This means that more developers can work on projects using Unreal Engine, regardless of their background or experience level. Additionally, the use of C has made it easier for developers to bring in external libraries and frameworks, which can help to speed up development and reduce the amount of time it takes to create complex applications.
A Comparison Between Unreal Engine and Unity 3D
Now that we have looked at the benefits of using C++ and C in Unreal Engine, let’s compare it to Unity 3D, which also supports both languages. While Unreal Engine uses C++ as its primary language, Unity 3D is primarily written in C. However, Unity 3D also has a scripting language called JavaScript, which can be used for basic game logic and other tasks.
One of the main advantages of using C in Unity 3D is that it is an object-oriented language, which makes it easier to structure code and maintain large projects. Additionally, C has built-in support for garbage collection, which helps to reduce the risk of memory leaks and other issues that can cause problems in large applications.
However, Unreal Engine still offers better performance than Unity 3D, as C++ is a compiled language that can run faster and more efficiently than interpreted languages like C.
