What is the Difference Between C++ and Java

The main difference between C++ and Java is that the C++ is platform dependent while the Java is platform independent.

A computer program is a set of instructions that allows the CPU to execute certain tasks. There are various programming languages. Basically, there are two main types of languages as high level and low-level languages. It is easier for programmers to read and understand high-level languages. They follow a simple syntax similar to the English language. C++ and Java are two general-purpose, high-level programming languages.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is C++
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Java
     – Definition, Features
3. What is the Difference Between C++ and Java
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

C++, High-level Language, Java

What is C++

Bjarne Stroustrup developed C++ by  in 1979 at Bell Labs. It is an enhancement of the C language. In other words, it is a superset of C++.  Its original name was C with classes. C++ is a high-level language, but also considered as a middle-level language because it comprises of language features of both high level and low-level languages.  Real-time systems, operating systems, device drivers are some applications of C++.

C++ is a compiler-based language. The compiler converts the entire source code into machine code at once. Therefore, C++ programs execute faster. The CPU can directly execute the converted machine code. The machine code depends on the operating system. Thus, C++ is platform dependent. Moreover, the Standard Template Library (STL) is the C++ standard library. It consists of methods to manipulate files, strings, data structures, etc. The programmers can use them in their programs.

Besides, it is possible to implement Object Oriented Programming concepts such as inheritance, abstraction, encapsulation, and polymorphism as well as structured programming concepts such as selection (if, else), repetition structures (for, do while, while) etc. using C++. Furthermore, this language allows dynamic memory allocation. The programmer can free the allocated memory by calling the free () function. Moreover, it is possible to implement advanced concepts such as multithreading. 

What is Java

Sun Microsystems developed the Java on the initiative of James Gosling. Java, being a high-level programming language, allows developing secure and robust applications. Web, mobile, high performance distributed systems are some common applications of Java. There are various versions in Java. Java SE is the standard edition while Java ME is for mobile development and Java EE is for enterprise applications.

Java source code does not convert directly to machine code like in C++. Firstly, the source code converts into an intermediate code called a bytecode. It is executable in any platform that has the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). So, Java is platform independent. Moreover, Java supports object orient programming. Therefore, it is easier to model real-world scenarios in computing.

Java provides a garbage collector. It destroys unused objects automatically to make memory management efficient. Usually, running the garbage collector is an automatic process. Therefore, the programmer can concentrate on application development rather than managing memory on his own. Furthermore, it is also possible to implement advanced concepts such as multi-threading using Java.

Difference Between C++ and Java

Definition

Java is a general-purpose computer programming language that is concurrent, class-based, object-oriented, and specifically designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible. On the other hand, C++, is a general-purpose programming language that has imperative, object-oriented and generic programming features, while also providing facilities for low-level memory manipulation.

Developed By

Bjarne Stroustrup developed C++ whereas the Sun Microsystems developed Java on the initiative of James Gosling.

Platform Dependency

The main difference between C++ and Java is that the C++ is platform dependent while the Java is platform independent.

Multiple Inheritance

Multiple inheritance is another difference between C++ and Java. C++ supports multiple inheritance. However, Java does not support multiple inheritance directly, but the programmer can use interfaces to accomplish this task.

Compiler/ Interpreter

C++ is a compiler based language. The compiler converts the source code into machine code. On the other hand, Java uses both compiler and interpreter. Here, the compiler converts the source code to bytecode, and the interpreter executes the bytecode at runtime. Hence, this is another difference between C++ and Java.

goto statement

Moreover, while C++ has a goto statement, Java does not.

Operator Overloading

Operator overloading is another difference between C++ and Java. C++ supports operator overloading whereas Java does not support operator overloading.

Structures and Unions

One other difference between C++ and Java is that the C++ supports structures and unions while the Java does not.

Memory Management

Furthermore, in C++, the programmer handles memory management; however, Java makes the system handle memory.

Portability

Besides, the C++ source code has to be re-compiled according to the platform; therefore, it is not portable. However, Java bytecode is portable to platform-specific JVMs.

Complexity

Complexity is also a major difference between C++ and Java. C++ is more complex than Java.

Difficulty

Thus, Java is easier to learn than C++.

Applications

Also, operating systems, device drivers, network drivers are some applications of C++. Meanwhile, Java is used to develop windows, mobile, web and enterprise applications. This is another difference between C++ and Java.

Conclusion

C++ and Java are popular programming languages. The main difference between C++ and Java is that the C++ is platform dependent while the Java is platform independent. Both these languages are useful for developing various applications.

Reference:

1. “C Features – Javatpoint.” Www.javatpoint.com, Available here.
2. “Features of Java – Javatpoint.” Www.javatpoint.com, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “ISO C++ Logo” By Jeremy Kratz – (Copyrighted free use) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Java programming language logo” By Source (WP:NFCC#4) (Fair use) via Commons Wikimedia