Major Differences between Java and C++ that everyone should know

You must have heard of the two most widely used programming languages Java and C++. Beginners usually start with C extending it to C++, and finally to Java. Often people misunderstand Java as the extension of C++, but that’s not the case. Hence this blog is a comprehensive guide on the Difference between Java and C++. Our guide is not limited to the difference; it talks in detail about the two languages.

Topic of Content

• Overview of Java
• Overview of C++
• Interesting facts about Java
• Interesting facts about C++
• How much salary does a Java/C++ developer get?
• Difference between Java and C++
• Program Example

Overview of Java 

Java is a high-level object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems (Oracle). Virtual Machine forms the basic foundation of Java language, providing portability and security. It is designed so that programmers find it easy with the few implementation dependencies. The language motto WORA – Write Once Read Anywhere makes it available on another platform for compilation, vanishing the need for recompilation. Originally, Java was used for application programming. Still, it has also become a primary interpreter and has a java.net package, which has made it possible for it to work with network computing. Java is packed with a wide range of libraries that offer high-level abstraction.

Overview of C++

C++ language is both procedural and object-oriented programming language. It was developed as the extension of the C language and popularly recognized with the name C with classes. C++ support and provide compatibility with many features that make it one of the most powerful languages in the world. Moreover, C++ is termed semi object-oriented due to its inefficiency in interpreting the code and conducting compilation without creating objects and defining classes. C++ is very compatible with system codes due to its S.T.L. library and provides low-level coding integration with high-level object-oriented capabilities.

Interesting Facts about Java

• Currently, more than 13 billion devices make use of Java for development. 
• Initially, Java was named Oak.
• It is the second most widely known language.
• Ranked first in the software developers choice of coding language.
• Java has four different types of final; each implies different meanings – final class, final method, final field and final variable.
• One billion downloads of Java happens every year.

Interesting Facts about C++

• As the name implies, C++ reflects evolution from C. ++ represents the increment operator used in C.
• The Simula67 Programming Language gave C++ its Object-Oriented features.
• Both C and C++ have invented at AT&T (American Telephone & Telegraph) bell laboratories, based in the U.S.A.
• C++ has four types of memory management – Static Storage, Thread Storage, Automatic Storage, and Dynamic Storage
• There are six types of Operators available in C++.
• Two primary concepts of C++ is direct mapping and zero-overhead abstractions (you don’t pay for what you don’t use).

How much does Java Developers get paid? 

Countries	Average Base Salary per annum
The U.S.A.	$100,335
United Kingdom	£55,728
Canada	$88,625
India	₹6,83,526
Australia	$126729
Germany	€60,000
Singapore	S$50714
UAE	AED 82541

How much do C++ programmers get paid?

Countries	Average Base Salary per annum
The U.S.A.	$118,755
United Kingdom	£62240
Canada	$67,943
India	₹7,78,290
Australia	$113,934
Germany	€51058
Singapore	S$62831
UAE	AED 57,588

Applications on Java

There is no doubt that Java is one of the most diverse languages today. Over the past decade, Java has become the most widely used language for developing software to solve real-world problems. Hundreds of software companies and millions of developers worldwide use Java to create their applications. Let’s see a few applications that are based on Java:

• Desktop G.U.I. Application – Anti-viruses, ThinkFree, Media Player, Acrobat Reader
• Mobile Application – Netflix, Google Earth, Uber
• Enterprise Application – CRM (Customer Resource Manager), ERP ( Enterprise Resource Planning)
• Web-Based Application – Google Sheets, Gmail, Shopping carts, Google Slides

Applications on C++.

As an extension of the C language, C++ provides procedural programming over CPU intensive functions. Due to its proximity with hardware, it can manipulate resources easily and provide fast computation. Let’s see a few applications that are based on C++:
MySQL, Google Chromium Browsers, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and used in highly advanced medical procedure M.R.I. 
Hold your seat and fasten your belt, as we will see many comparisons between the two.

Difference between Java and C++

Parameters	Java	C++
Founder	James Gosling	Bjarne Stroustrup
Release Date	23 May 1995	1979
Design Objective	Write Once Run Anywhere	Systems and application programming.
Compilation and Interpretation	It can be both compiled and interpreted	It can be compiled but cannot be interpreted
Libraries	Diverse libraries with re-usability functionality	Few libraries with low limited functionalities
Memory Management	System controlled memory management	Manual capabilities for memory management
Virtual Keyword	Provide Support	No Virtual Keyword
Global Scope	Global scope is not supported	Support both global and namespace scopes
Usage	System Programming, Software Development, Game Development, Advance computation, Real-Time Simulations.	Application Programming, Web applications, Embedded systems, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Application, Desktop G.U.I., Big Data Tech
Programming Model	Procedural and Object-Oriented Programming	Object-Oriented Programming
Platform Dependency	Platform - Independent	Platform - Dependent
Compatibility with other languages	Not Compatible	Compatible with various high-level languages

Feature comparison between Java and C++

S. no	Feature	Java	C++
1	Abstraction	Yes	Yes
2	Single Inheritance	Yes	Yes
3	Multiple Inheritance	No	Yes
4	Encapsulation	Yes	Yes
5	Polymorphism	Yes	Yes
6	Static and Dynamic Binding	Yes	Yes
7	Operator Overloading	No	Yes
8	Method Overloading	Yes	Yes
9	Pointers	No	Yes
10	Interference	Yes	No
11	Global Variables	No	Yes
12	Header Files	No	Yes
13	Unions	No	Yes
14	API	Yes	No
15	Structures	No	Yes
16	Root Hierarchy	Yes (single root hierarchy)	No
17	Documentation Comment	Yes	No
18	Thread	Yes	No
19	Memory Garbage Collector	Automatic	Manual
20	Runtime-error Detection	On Programmer’s shoulder	System Responsibility
21	Semantics	Primitive and Object type semantics are consistent	Not Consistent
22	Code Execution	Direct	By JVM (Java Virtual Machine)
23	File Generation	.exe files	.class files
24	Program Approach	Bottom-up approach	Bottom-up approach
25	Keywords	51 keywords	60 defined keywords

Example Program

Now let’s write a simple program simultaneously to see where these languages differ.

Java Hello Program 

Java Output 

Explanation – Java uses classes and objects as it is a fully object-oriented programming language. Functions are generally entranced to go inside the code.

C++ Hello Program

C++ Output

Explanation – C++ uses header file <iostream.h> for input-output console to execute command like cin and cout. cin and cout work similarly to printf and scanf in C language.

Frequently Asked Question

Which is better Java or C++?

Talking in the terms of execution speed, C++ is better as it executes code using machine language. On the other hand, Java is both compiled and interpreted language which takes time to execute the code. 

Should I learn Java or C++ first?

Java is easier to learn than C++ due to its simplicity in syntax and command. Java came after C++ and that's why it tried to remove the loopholes present in C++.

Which language is more popular Java or C++?

Though C++ is most preferred as the first language, the application and versatility of Java make it a hot choice for developers and programmers. Also, Java Surpassed C ++ as the most popular language standing at position two.

Wrapping Up

Making a comparison between the two is a neck to neck game. With various similarities and differences, both languages are unique and powerful. Of course, which makes it extremely hard to choose from, but the catch is - in any case, the language you use depends on what you want to accomplish.

Hope this comprehensive guide of the difference between Java and C++ has been of great help to you. With each passing day, you will hear a new language, but the beauty of Java and C++ is that no matter how many new languages come, they will always form the foundation of the programming language.

Hey, wait before taking leave; comment below your go-to language between Java and C++ and who you think is more compatible with the latest technology?