C vs C++ for college credit: what's different in the two courses

Both courses teach decisions, loops, functions, arrays, strings, pointers, files and structures. Programming in C stays procedural and ends with dynamic memory, linked lists, stacks and queues. Programming in C++ adds classes and objects, vectors, encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism. The syllabi list 47.5 instructional hours for C and 51.5 for C++, in 11 chapters each.

Neither syllabus lists a prerequisite, and both start from your first program, so take the one your program names. If nothing decides it and you want object-oriented programming, take C++: C has no classes. You can watch free C++ lessons first.

NCCRS recommends 3 semester hours for each, in the lower division: Computer Science and Electrical or Computer Engineering for C; Computer Science, Electrical, or Computer Engineering for C++. Neither carries an ACE recommendation; Programming in Python does, if you need one.

Programming in C: Computer Science and Electrical or Computer Engineering. Programming in C++: Computer Science, Electrical, or Computer Engineering. Your college decides which requirement each one fills.

Programming in C: 11 chapters and 47.5 instructional hours. Programming in C++: 11 chapters and 51.5 instructional hours. Both are self-paced, so you finish as fast or as slow as you want.

Each ends with 100 multiple-choice questions; Programming in C after 11 chapters, Programming in C++ after 11.

No: neither is on the ACE list. Programming in C has an NCCRS recommendation for 3 semester hours in Computer Science and Electrical; Programming in C++ has an NCCRS recommendation for 3 semester hours in Computer Science. Not being on the ACE list never means not recommended for credit.

Introduction to Java. In the “Start programming” order on the Computer Science courses page, it follows Programming in C++. Your program may set its own order.

Yes: the Programming in C syllabus opens after a free sign-in. It lists all 11 chapters, the grading and the credit recommendation, so you can send it to your registrar.

No. Open-book is fine for the Programming in C quizzes and assignment, but the final is proctored: lightly, with no camera, once you are at 70% or more, and fully otherwise.

ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. Search your school in Find My College and ask your registrar which courses Computer Science 240 and 242 would count as. It helps to name the subject: NCCRS recommends Programming in C in Computer Science and Electrical and Programming in C++ in Computer Science.