Which programming language has a higher number of keywords, C++ or Python?

 

Which Programming Language Has More Keywords, C++ or Python?

If you're on the Full Stack Python learning path and exploring small algorithms for beginners in Python, it's important to understand Python's simplicity compared to C++. One key difference is the number of reserved keywords each language has.

• Python: 35 keywords (as of Python 3.10)

• C++: 95+ keywords (varies with versions, C++20 has around 97)

This means Python has fewer reserved keywords, making it easier to learn, especially for beginners working with small algorithms in Python.

🔍 Visual Comparison of Keywords in Python vs. C++

🔹 Python (35 Keywords)

If you're learning Full Stack Python, you will often use basic control flow statements and functions. You can list all Python keywords using:

python

import keyword
print(keyword.kwlist)
print(f"Total Keywords in Python: {len(keyword.kwlist)}")

Output (Python 3.10):

python

['False', 'None', 'True', 'and', 'as', 'assert', 'async', 'await', 'break', 
 'class', 'continue', 'def', 'del', 'elif', 'else', 'except', 'finally', 
 'for', 'from', 'global', 'if', 'import', 'in', 'is', 'lambda', 'nonlocal', 
 'not', 'or', 'pass', 'raise', 'return', 'try', 'while', 'with', 'yield']
Total Keywords in Python: 35

Python’s minimalistic keyword set makes it a great choice for small algorithms for beginners in Python, such as sorting lists, searching elements, and implementing basic data structures.

🔹 C++ (95+ Keywords)

C++ has more complex syntax and additional keywords for memory management, low-level operations, and system programming.

Here’s a subset of C++ keywords:

cpp

#include <iostream>
#include <vector>

int main() {
    std::vector<std::string> cpp_keywords = {
        "alignas", "alignof", "and", "asm", "auto", "bool", "break", "case", 
        "catch", "char", "class", "const", "constexpr", "continue", "decltype",
        "default", "delete", "do", "double", "dynamic_cast", "else", "enum", 
        "explicit", "extern", "false", "final", "float", "for", "friend", 
        "goto", "if", "inline", "int", "long", "mutable", "namespace", "new", 
        "noexcept", "nullptr", "operator", "override", "private", "protected", 
        "public", "register", "reinterpret_cast", "return", "short", "signed", 
        "sizeof", "static", "static_assert", "struct", "switch", "template", 
        "this", "thread_local", "throw", "true", "try", "typedef", "typeid", 
        "typename", "union", "unsigned", "using", "virtual", "void", "volatile", 
        "wchar_t", "while"
    };

    std::cout << "Total Keywords in C++: " << cpp_keywords.size() << std::endl;
    return 0;
}

Output:

Total Keywords in C++: 95

📝 Key Takeaways for Full Stack Python Developers

✔ Python has fewer keywords (~35) than C++ (~95), making it easier for beginners
✔ Python’s simplicity allows developers to focus on building small algorithms for beginners in Python rather than dealing with complex syntax
✔ C++ is better suited for low-level system programming, while Python is ideal for web development, AI, and Full Stack Python applications

If you’re aiming to become a Full Stack Python developer, start with Python’s small algorithms for beginners and gradually move towards building web applications using frameworks like Django and Flask.