Difference Between C and Java

C Vs Java

The following are some key differences between C and Java:-

• Language Type: C is a procedural programming language, while Java is an object-oriented programming language.
• Memory Management: C requires manual memory management, including allocation and deallocation, while Java uses automatic memory management (garbage collection) to handle memory allocation and deallocation.
• Platform Dependency: C code is platform-dependent and it needs to be recompiled for different processor architectures. Java code runs on the Java Virtual Machine which makes it hardware independent.
• Pointer Usage: C allows direct pointer manipulation, which can lead to memory leaks, while Java abstracts pointers to enforce safe memory access.
• Applications: C is commonly used for low-level embedded systems, and Java is used for building multi-platform applications and enterprise-grade software.

What is C Language?

C is a programming language that was founded in the 1970s. It was created for system-level programming and is a common tool in creating operating systems and compilers. 

C is also known as a fast programming language with a very easy and basic syntax that makes it simple to learn. Generally, this is the first language that we learn.

Features of C 

Some key features of the C programming language are:-

• Procedural: C is a procedural language that emphasizes functions and structured programming.
• Low-Level: It offers direct memory manipulation and hardware control.
• Portability: Your C code can be compiled for different platforms without much change.
• Efficiency: C code is highly performant and efficient due to its proximity to low-level hardware.
• Modularity: C allows your code to be organized into reusable modules.

This was a brief about C language. Now let's discuss Java.

Advantages of C

Now, let’s see some pros and cons of C language below.

• Speed: C is a speedy language, so it is used to run apps that require high speed. 
• Memory management: It has low-level and manual memory access so that you can use it for better performance.
• Low-level control: It directly controls hardware, which you can use for programming systems-level applications. 
• Wide range of applications: It is used to run various apps, from small to large in size.

Disadvantages of C 

• Learning curve: It has a steep learning curve because it requires knowledge of low-level concepts such as management, Remembering and pointer.  
• Security issues: Managing C's low memory can take you to security vulnerabilities if not implemented properly.
• Lack of mobility: C code could be more mobile, meaning it can only run on different platforms with some modifications. 
• Limited standard libraries: C standard libraries are limited compared to other languages. You might have used Python or Java, where many libraries are available.

What is Java Language?

Java is a high-level object-oriented language founded in the 1990s. It is platform-independent, which means it may run on any OS. This is one of the best features of the Java language. And also, one of the most outstanding features of Java is security and reliability, including automated memory management and error checking.

Features of Java 

Some key features of the C programming language are:-

• Platform Independence: Java runs on the JVM, which abstracts the hardware to make it platform-independent.
• Object-Oriented: Promotes using the object-oriented programming paradigm to improve code quality.
• Automatic Memory Management: Java uses garbage collection for cleaning up dynamically allocated memory.
• Multi-Threading: Java also supports concurrent programming with threads.
• Architecture-Neutral: It is suitable for distributed systems and network applications.

Advantages of Java

• Portability: This is one of the best advantages of Java. It is portable and can run on any system. That’s why it is called platform independent.
• Object-oriented: It supports Object-oriented programming.
• Extensive standard library: Java's standard library is vast. If you need any prebuilt function, you just need to type on Google, and you will mostly find it.  
• Garbage collection: Automatic Java garbage collection helps in memory management and reduces the risk of memory leaks. 

Disadvantages of Java

• Slower than C: Java is often slower due to its runtime environment and garbage collection.
• Overhead: The Java runtime environment and garbage collection add overhead, affecting performance. 
• Low development: Java allows limited access to low-level hardware, which can be problematic for systems-level programming. 
• Difficulty: To be honest, it requires some syntax to learn, but when you are familiar with it, you will find it easy.

Frequently Asked Question

Is C important for Java?

No, learning C is not important if you want to learn Java. However, being familiar with a low-level programming language will be beneficial in the long run.

Why is Java slower than C?

Java applications are slower than C because they are executed by the Java Virtual Machine, and this layer of abstraction over raw hardware can lead to slow execution times.

Is Java or C better for embedded systems?

C is often used for embedded systems due to its low-level control over hardware and memory.

What is the main difference between C and Java?

C is a procedural, low-level language with manual memory management, while Java is an object-oriented, high-level language with automatic memory management (Garbage Collection).

When to use C vs Java?

Use C for system programming, embedded systems, and performance-critical applications. Use Java for web applications, enterprise software, and platform-independent development.

Conclusion

C and Java are powerful programming languages, each suited for different applications. C excels in system programming and performance-critical tasks, while Java is ideal for platform-independent, web, and enterprise applications. Choosing between them depends on project requirements, memory management needs, and portability considerations.

If you want to learn more, follow the article below to build fundamentals:

• How to Convert a list to an array in Java
• Ternary Operator in C
• Why is Java Platform Independent
• odd or even program in c
• C++ vs Java
• Floyd's Triangle in C