Answer : At the end of the day it doesn't matter because C++ compilers can deal with the files in either format. If it's a real issue within your team, flip a coin and move on to the actual work. GNU GCC recognises all of the following as C++ files, and will use C++ compilation regardless of whether you invoke it through gcc or g++: .C , .cc , .cpp , .CPP , .c++ , .cp , or .cxx . Note the .C - case matters in GCC, .c is a C file whereas .C is a C++ file (if you let the compiler decide what it is compiling that is). GCC also supports other suffixes to indicate special handling, for example a .ii file will be compiled as C++, but not pre-processed (intended for separately pre-processed code). All the recognised suffixes are detailed at gcc.gnu.org Great advice on which to use for the makefile and other tools, considering non-compiler tools while deciding on which extension to use is a great approach to help find an answer that works for you. I just wanted to add