[smitherfield]

> classes have the features of structs (and much more) at the cost of performance.

Not true; C++ classes have zero performance overhead over C/C++ structs (because they're just another word for the same thing).

Of course Python classes have a lot of costly features that C++ classes don't have, but the notion of a "class" (with methods, constructors etc) is not one of them.

[kronos29296]

And also makes them look more complicated with more syntax. C++ has all those features that I will never know without adding performance. But people don't use Python for performance but ease of use.

In C++ ease of use is given up for the sake of performance. In python it is the other way.

[hasenj]

Don't C++ classes (and therefore structs) have a hidden vtable?

[plq]

vtable is always "hidden". It's only there when there is at least one virtual member defined. Sole difference between class and struct in C++ is default visibility.

    class A {
        int a; // private
    }

    struct A {
        int a; // public
    }

[taejo]

Only if they have virtual members.