C++ Vs Java: Top 30 Differences Between C++ And Java With Examples

This In-Depth Tutorial Explains Some of The Key Differences Between Two Object-Oriented Programming Languages C++ Vs Java:

C++ and Java both are object-oriented programming languages. Yet, both languages differ from each other in many ways.

C++ is derived from C and has the features of both procedural and object-oriented programming languages. C++ was designed for application and System development.

Java is built upon a virtual machine which is very secure and highly portable in nature. It is grouped with a comprehensive library to provide support for the abstraction of the existing platform.

Java was mainly designed for application programming and has a functionality of an interpreter for printing systems which was later developed into network computing.

Suggested Read => C++ Training Guide For All

Table of Contents:

Key Differences Between C++ Vs Java
Tabular Format: C++ Vs Java
Frequently Asked Questions In C++ And Java
Conclusion
Was this helpful?
Recommended Reading

Key Differences Between C++ Vs Java

Now let us discuss some of the key differences between C++ Vs Java, as we proceed in this
tutorial.

#1) Platform Independence

C++	Java
C++ is a platform dependent language. The source code written in C++ needs to be compiled on every platform.	Java is platform-independent. Once compiled into byte code, it can be executed on any platform.

#2) Compiler and Interpreter

C++	Java
C++ is a compiled language. The source program written in C++ is compiled into an object code which can then be executed to produce an output.	Java is a compiled as well as an interpreted language. The compiled output of a Java source code is a byte code which is platform-independent.

#3) Portability

C++	Java
C++ code is not portable. It must be compiled for each platform.	Java, however, translates the code into byte code. This byte code is portable and can be executed on any platform.

#4) Memory Management

C++	Java
Memory management in C++ is manual. We need to allocate/deallocate memory manually using the new/delete operators.	In Java the memory management is system-controlled.

#5) Multiple Inheritance

C++	Java
C++ supports various types of inheritances including single and multiple inheritances. Although there are problems arising from multiple inheritances, C++ uses the virtual keyword to resolve the problems.	Java, supports only single inheritance. Effects of multiple inheritance can be achieved using the interfaces in Java.

#6) Overloading

C++	Java
In C++, methods and operators can be overloaded. This is static polymorphism.	In Java, only method overloading is allowed. It does not allow operator overloading.

#7) Virtual Keyword

C++	Java
As a part of dynamic polymorphism, in C++, the virtual keyword is used with a function to indicate the function that can be overridden in the derived class. This way we can achieve polymorphism.	In Java, the virtual keyword is absent. However, in Java, all non-static methods by default can be overridden. Or in simple terms, all non-static methods in Java are virtual by default.

#8) Pointers

C++	Java
C++ is all about pointers. As seen in tutorials earlier, C++ has strong support for pointers and we can do a lot of useful programming using pointers.	Java has limited support for pointers. Initially, Java was completely without pointers but later versions started providing limited support for pointers. We cannot use pointers in Java as leisurely as we can use in C++.

#9) Documentation Comment

C++	Java
C++ has no support for documentation comments.	Java has a built-in support for documentation comments (/*…/). This way Java source files can have their own documentation.

#10) Thread Support

C++	Java
C++ doesn’t have in-built thread support. It mostly relies on third-party threading libraries.	Java is in-built thread support with a class “thread”. We can inherit the thread class and then override the run method.

Some more differences…

#11) Root Hierarchy

C++ is procedural as well as an object-oriented programming language. Hence it does not follow any specific root hierarchy.

Java is a pure object-oriented programming language and has a single root hierarchy.

#12) Source Code & Class Relationship

In C++, both the source code and filename do not have any relationship. This means that we can have many classes in the C++ program and the filename can be anything. It need not be the same as the class names.

In Java, there is a close relationship between the source code class and the filename. The class containing the source code and the filename should be the same.

For Example, if we have a class in Java named salary, then the filename which contains this class code should be “salary.java”.

#13) Concept

The concept behind C++ programs is written once and compile anywhere as C++ is not platform-independent.

On the contrary, for Java programs it is written once, run everywhere and anywhere as the byte code generated by Java compiler is platform-independent and can run on any machine.

#14) Compatibility With Other Languages

C++ is built upon C. C++ language is compatible with most of the other high-level languages.

Java is not compatible with other languages. As Java was inspired by C and C++, its syntax is similar to these languages.

#15) Type Of Programming Language

C++ is both a procedural and object-oriented programing language. Hence, C++ has features specific to procedural languages as well as features of object-oriented programming language.

Java is a completely object-oriented programming language.

#16) Library Interface

C++ allows direct calls to the native system libraries. Hence it is more suited for system-level programming.

Java has no direct call support to its native libraries. We can call the libraries through Java Native Interface or Java Native Access.

#17) Distinguishing Features

Features related to the procedural languages and object-oriented language are the distinguishing features of C++.

Automatic garbage collection is the distinguishing feature of Java. Meanwhile, Java does not support destructors.

#18) Type Semantics

As far as type semantics for C++ are concerned, primitive and object types are consistent.

But for Java, there is no consistency between the primitive and object types.

#19) Input Mechanism

C++ uses cin and cout along with ‘>>’ and ‘<<’ operators respectively to read in and write the data.

In java, the System class is used for input-output. To read the input, System.in which reads one byte at a time is used. The construct System.out is used to write the output.

#20) Access Control And Object Protection

C++ has a flexible model for objects with access specifiers controlling the access and strong encapsulation ensuring protection.

Java has a comparatively cumbersome object model with weak encapsulation.

#21) Goto Statement

C++ supports the goto statement, but its use should be minimized in order to prevent the consequences of using it in a program.

Java does not provide support for the goto statement.

#22) Scope Resolution Operator

Scope resolution operator is used to access the global variables and define methods outside the class.

C++ supports scope resolution operator as it uses it to access global variables. It also allows us to define functions outside the class and access them using the scope resolution operator.

In contrast, Java doesn’t support the scope resolution operator. Java also doesn’t allow defining the functions outside. Everything related to the program including the main function needs to be inside a class.

#23) Try/Catch Block

In C++, we can exclude the try/catch block even if we know that the code might throw an exception.

However, in Java, if we are sure that the code will throw an exception, then we must include this code under the try/catch block. Exceptions are different in Java as it doesn’t support destructors.

#24) Runtime Error Detection

In C++ the runtime error detection is the programmer’s responsibility.

In Java, the runtime error detection is controlled by the system.

#25) Language Support

Because of its proximity to hardware, and libraries that allow accessing system resources, C++ is more suitable for system programming although we have a wide range of applications including database, enterprise, gaming, etc. developed in C++.

#26) Data And Functions

C++ has a global scope as well as namespace scope. Thus data and functions can exist outside the class as well.

In Java, all data and functions need to be in the class. There is no global scope, however, there can be package scope.

#27) Structures & Unions

Structures and Unions are data structures that can have members with different data types. C++ supports both structures and unions.

Java, however, does not support structures or unions.

#28) Object Management

In C++ objects are managed manually. The creation and destruction of objects are carried out manually using the new and delete operators respectively. We also use constructors and destructors for class objects.

Java does not support destructors though it supports constructors. Java is also heavily dependent on automatic garbage collection for collecting and destroying objects.

#29) Parameter Passing

Pass by Value and pass by reference are the two important parameter passing techniques used in programming. Both Java and C++ supports both these techniques.

#30) Hardware

C++ is close to hardware and has many libraries that can manipulate the hardware resources. Because of its closeness to hardware, C++ is often used for system programming, gaming applications, operating system, and compilers.

Java is mostly an application development language and is not close to the hardware.

Tabular Format: C++ Vs Java

Given below is the tabular representation of the comparison between C++ and Java which we have already discussed.

No.	Comparison Parameter	C++	Java
1	Platform Independence	C++ is platform dependent.	Java is platform-independent.
2	Compiler & Interpreter	C++ is a compiled language.	Java is a compiled as well as an interpreted language.
3	Source Code & Class Relationship	No strict relationship with class names and filenames.	Enforces strict relationship between the class name and filename.
4	Concept	Write once compile anywhere.	Write once run anywhere & everywhere.
5	Compatibility With Other Languages	Compatible with C except for object-oriented features.	The syntax is taken from C/C++. No backward compatibility with any other language.
6	Type of Programming Language	Procedural and object-oriented.	Object-oriented.
7	Library Interface	Allows direct calls to native system libraries.	Calls only through Java Native interface and Java Native Access.
8	Root Hierarchy	No root hierarchy.	Follows single root hierarchy.
9	Distinguishing Features	Supports procedural as well as object-oriented features.	No destructors. Automatic garbage collection.
10	Portability	C++ code is not portable.	Java is portable.
11	Type Semantics	Consistent between primitive and object types.	Not consistent.
12	Input Mechanism	Cin and Cout are used for I/O.	System.in and System.out.println
13	Access Control and Object Protection	A flexible object model and consistent protection.	The object model is cumbersome and encapsulation is weak.
14	Memory Management	Manual	System-controlled.
15	Multiple Inheritance	Present	Absent
16	Goto Statement	Supports Goto statement.	Does not support the goto statement.
17	Scope Resolution Operator	Present	Absent
18	Try/Catch Block	Can exclude try/catch block.	Cannot exclude if the code is supposed to throw an exception.
19	Overloading	Supports operator and method overloading.	Does not support operator overloading.
20	Virtual Keyword	Supports virtual keyword which facilitates overriding.	No virtual keyword, all non-static methods are by default virtual and can be overridden.
21	Runtime Error Detection	Left to programmer.	System responsibility
22	Language Support	Used mainly for system programming.	Mainly used for application programming.
23	Data and Functions	Data and Function exist outside class. Global and namespace scopes are supported.	Data and Functions are present only inside the class, package scope is available.
24	Pointers	Supports pointers.	Only limited support for pointers.
25	Structures & Unions	Supported	Not supported
26	Object Management	Manual object management with new and delete.	Automatic object management using garbage collection.
27	Parameter Passing	Supports call by value and call by reference.	Supports only call by value.
28	Thread Support	Thread support is not very strong, it relies on the third party.	Very strong thread support.
29	Hardware	Nearer to the hardware.	Not very interactive with hardware.
30	Documentation Comment	Does not support documentation comment.	Supports documentation comment(/*…/) that creates documentation for Java source code.

So far we have seen the key differences between C++ and Java in detail. The upcoming section will answer some of the frequently asked questions pertaining to C++ and Java in the programming world.

Frequently Asked Questions In C++ And Java

Q #1) Which one is better C++ or Java?

Answer: Well, we cannot definitely say which is better. Both C++ and Java have their own merits and demerits. While C++ is mostly good for system programming, we cannot do it with Java. But Java excels in applications like web, desktop, etc.

In fact, C++ can do anything from system programming to enterprise to gaming. Java can do more of a web or enterprise. There are some applications like certain low-level programming applications or gaming etc. which cannot be left for Java to develop.

Thus it totally depends on what application we are developing. The best way is to evaluate beforehand the pros and cons of both the languages and verify their uniqueness for the application that we are developing and then conclude which is the best.

Q #2) Is C++ more powerful than Java?

Answer: Again this is a tricky question! When it comes to how easier is the syntax or learning the language, Java scores. When it comes to system programming and/or other low-level applications, C++ is more powerful.

Some people might argue that having automatic GC collections, no pointers, no multiple inheritances make Java more powerful.

But when it comes to speed, C++ is powerful. Also in applications like gaming where we need to store the state, automatic garbage collection can ruin the tasks. Thus C++ is obviously powerful here.

Q #3) Can we learn Java without knowing C or C++?

Answer: Yes, definitely!

Once we know the fundamentals of programming and object-oriented programming concepts, we can begin learning Java.

Q #4) Is C++ like Java?

Answer: In some ways, Yes but in some ways, No.

Like for example, both C++ and Java are object-oriented programming languages. They can be used for application development. They have similar syntax.

But in other cases like memory management, inheritance, polymorphism, etc., C++ and Java are completely different. Similarly, when it comes to primitive data types, object handling, pointers, etc. both the languages are different.

Q #5) Is Java written in C++?

Answer: Java in the sense the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) by Sun and IBM are written in C++. The Java libraries are in Java. Some other JVMs are written in C.

Conclusion

C++ and Java are both object-oriented programming languages. In addition, C++ is a procedural language as well. There are some features like inheritance, polymorphism, pointers, memory management, etc. in which both the languages completely differ with one another.

There are some characteristics of C++ like closeness to hardware, better object management, speed, performance, etc. which makes it more powerful than Java and thus motivate the developers to use C++ for low-level programming, high-speed gaming applications, system programming, etc.

In a similar way, the easier syntax of Java, automatic garbage collection, lack of pointers, templates, etc. make Java a favorite for web-based applications.

=> Visit Here For The Complete C++ Tutorials List.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Key Differences Between C++ Vs Java

Tabular Format: C++ Vs Java

Frequently Asked Questions In C++ And Java

Conclusion

Was this helpful?

Recommended Reading

Leave a Comment Cancel reply