C++ adds a layer of functional indirection above the level of the C structure. This is what causes the bloat. The implementation of the C++ object vs. the C struct. Iostream is implemented as an object. C++ is definitely more convenient and that was the intent of its creators. It does not replace C but provides a more convenient alternative to using C structs and fn pointers at the cost of a small performance penalty (maybe slow and bloated is over-expressing the penalty).