Final answer:
A .h file is a header file that contains declarations of functions, variables, and data structures. A .cpp file is a source file that contains the implementation of the functions and structures declared in the corresponding .h file.
Step-by-step explanation:
In computer programming, a .h file is a header file that contains declarations of functions, variables, and data structures, which are needed to be included in multiple .cpp files. It acts as a blueprint for the functions and structures defined in the corresponding .cpp file.
A .cpp file, on the other hand, is a source file that contains the implementation of the functions and structures declared in the corresponding .h file. It contains the actual code that is compiled and linked to create the executable program.
For example, in C++ programming, you might have a file named 'myclass.h' which contains the class declaration, and a file named 'myclass.cpp' which contains the member function definitions of the class.
The difference between .h and .cpp files is that .h files are used for class structures, function declarations, and as interfaces, while .cpp files contain the actual function implementations, promoting modularity and reusability in C++ codebases.
The main difference between .h (header) files and .cpp (implementation) files in C++ lies in their purposes within the programming environment. A .h file, also known as a header file, is used to define the structure of a class, including its members and any function declarations. The header file is where you would typically find function prototypes, class declarations, templates, enums, and macro definitions. It acts as an interface for the .cpp files, which contain the actual implementation of the functions declared in the header file.
.cpp files, on the other hand, are used for the definition or implementation of the functions that were declared in the header files. This separation helps in organizing code, particularly in large projects where it promotes reusability and modularity. By separating declaration from definition, the header files allow for multiple .cpp files to include the same header, thus sharing interface definitions while having separate implementations. This is a fundamental concept in C++ for managing large codebases and for separate compilation.