C++ to Python Converter FAQ

Q: Are the original C++ files altered in any way?

Your existing code is left completely intact. The new Python files are output to the new location that you specify.

Q: What version of C++ is converted?

We attempt to convert as much as possible and are continually updating the converter to handle newer C++ features. However, many new C++ features have no Python equivalent so the output will require adjustments.

Q: What is the conversion accuracy?

Our accuracy is very high, but there will be significant adjustments required for all but the most trivial conversions. There are no direct equivalents for some aspects of C++. Read the rest of the FAQ to get an idea of a few things that are not converted. C++ to Python Converter is intended to reduce the amount of work you'll have to do to convert code to Python, but it is just the first step.

You should not attempt to convert code that is heavily dependent on pointer arithmetic or template metaprogramming since these features are only practical in C++.

Q: What about STL Containers?

C++ to Python Converter converts references to some STL container types, such as std::vector. The containers that have no clear equivalent are not converted.

Q: Is C++/CLI code converted?

No. Despite the name, C++/CLI has very little in common with C++.

Q: What about C++ UI code?

The converter does not convert C++ UI types due to the lack of similarity between these types and Python UI types.

Q: Are Python type hints included?

The converter has an option to include Python type hints.

Q: What are the most common adjustments necessary after conversion?

Most C/C++ library function calls are not converted. However, we do convert a subset of the C-based string, keyboard I/O, math, and utility function calls, and some of the C++ keyboard I/O methods, STL-based string class methods, and some STL containers.
Method overloads are not allowed in Python. These are marked with a comment.
Pointer arithmetic has no good equivalent in Python.
Some pointer and address manipulation may remain in the converted code.
Since Python lacks a preprocessor, all code dependent on conditional compilation needs to be refactored so that the functionality can be achieved in other ways.
C++ lambdas are converted to Python expression lambdas only if they contain a single 'return' statement.
Some reference type comparisons are converted, but you will need to manually change some equality symbols to "is". The Python interpreter makes these adjustment requirements obvious.
C++ template metaprogramming and variadic templates have no equivalent in Python.
Bit-by-bit copying of objects via the assignment operator is not the default in Python. We attempt to detect these cases and convert the assignment to a call to either the copy constructor (if used in a variable initialization) or the converted assignment operator overload (which is converted to a 'copy_from' method) and also provide a 'Warning' comment.
Python does not allow embedded assembly instructions. These are marked with a comment.
There is no equivalent to friend functions or friend classes in Python. These are marked with a comment.
Unions and bit fields have no elegant equivalent in Python. Unions are commented out with a 'task' note.
A few operators that can be overloaded in C++ cannot be simulated in Python. These are marked with a comment.

Additional Resources

C++ and Python comparison and equivalents chart