Table of contents
1.
Introduction
2.
C
2.1.
Features of C Language
3.
C++
3.1.
Features of C++ Language
4.
Java
4.1.
Features of Java Language
5.
C vs C++ vs Java
6.
Frequently Asked Questions
6.1.
Is Java derived from C or C++?
6.2.
Can C++ code be compiled & run in Java?
6.3.
Is C++ faster than Java?
7.
Conclusion
Last Updated: Nov 6, 2024
Easy

Difference between C, C++ and Java

Author Riya Singh
0 upvote
Career growth poll
Do you think IIT Guwahati certified course can help you in your career?

Introduction

In computer programming, languages act as an interface between the user and the system. Out of so many languages, C, C++, and Java stand out as three of the most widely used and famous languages in the coding world. Each of these languages has its own unique characteristics, advantages, and applications that make them valuable for any programmer. C is known for its low-level control & efficiency, which makes it ideal for system programming and embedded systems. C++, on the other hand, is an extension of C, adding object-oriented programming features and greater abstraction, which makes it suitable for large-scale software development. Java, with its "write once, run anywhere" philosophy, offers platform independence & a rich set of libraries, which makes it a popular choice for developing enterprise applications, Android apps, & web-based solutions. 

Difference between C, C++ and Java

In this article, we will learn the differences between C, C++, and Java, which includes their features & applications.

C

C is a procedural programming language developed in the early 1970s by Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs. It is a low-level language that provides programmers with a high degree of control over the computer's hardware. C is widely used for system programming, embedded systems, operating systems, device drivers, and compilers.

C is known for its efficiency and speed, as it allows direct manipulation of memory through pointers. The language has a simple and concise syntax, which makes it easy to learn for beginners. C programs are compiled, meaning the source code is translated into machine code before execution, which results in faster execution times compared to interpreted languages.
 

One of C's main advantages is its portability. C programs can be compiled and run on various platforms, like Windows, macOS, Linux, and embedded systems, with minimal modifications to the source code. This portability is one reason C is famous in the programming world.

Features of C Language

1. Procedural Programming: C follows a procedural programming paradigm, where the program is divided into small, manageable functions or procedures. This modular approach makes the code easier to understand, debug, & maintain.

2. Low-Level Memory Manipulation: C provides low-level memory manipulation capabilities through pointers. Pointers allow direct access to memory locations, enabling efficient memory management & control over hardware resources.
 

3. Static Typing: C is a statically typed language, meaning that variable types must be declared before use. This helps catch type-related errors at compile time and promotes code reliability.
 

4. Extensive Standard Library: C comes with a rich standard library that provides a wide range of functions for input/output operations, string manipulation, mathematical calculations, and more. These built-in functions enhance productivity and reduce development time.
 

5. Efficiency & Speed: C is known for its efficiency & speed. It provides low-level access to system resources, allowing for optimized code execution. C programs are compiled directly into machine code, resulting in fast runtime performance.

6. Portability: C programs can be compiled & run on various platforms with minimal modifications. The language's portability enables the development of cross-platform applications.
 

7. Extensibility: C supports the use of external libraries and can easily interface with assembly language, making it extensible and adaptable to specific project requirements.


For example : 

#include <stdio.h>


int main() {
    printf("Hello, World!\n");
    return 0;
}
You can also try this code with Online C Compiler
Run Code

 

Output

Hello, World!

 

In this code, the `#include <stdio.h>` statement includes the standard input/output library, which provides the `printf()` function for printing text to the console. The `main()` function is the entry point of the program, & the `printf()` statement prints "Hello, World!" followed by a newline character.

 

C++

C++ is an extension of the C programming language, which was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup in 1979. It is an object-oriented programming language that adds features such as classes, inheritance, and polymorphism to the C language. C++ is widely used for developing system software, games, embedded systems, and large-scale applications.

C++ builds upon the procedural programming paradigm of C and introduces object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts. OOP allows the creation of classes, which are user-defined data types that encapsulate data and functions (methods) that operate on that data. This encapsulation promotes code modularity, reusability, and maintainability.
 

One of C++'s advantages is its performance. Like C, C++ programs are compiled into machine code, which results in fast execution times. C++ also provides low-level memory manipulation through pointers, allowing for efficient memory management and optimization.

C++ offers a wide range of standard libraries, including the Standard Template Library (STL), which provides powerful tools for data structures, algorithms, and input/output operations. These libraries enhance productivity and reduce development time.

Features of C++ Language

 

1. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): C++ supports object-oriented programming principles, like encapsulation, inheritance, & polymorphism. OOP allows the creation of classes & objects, promoting code modularity, reusability, & maintainability.

 

2. Compatibility with C: C++ is largely compatible with C, meaning that most C code can be compiled and run in a C++ program. This compatibility allows C++ to leverage the vast amount of existing C libraries and code.

 

3. Templates: C++ introduces templates, which enable the creation of generic functions and classes. Templates allow writing code that can work with different data types, providing flexibility and code reusability.

 

4. Exception Handling: C++ provides a robust exception-handling mechanism to handle runtime errors easily. Exceptions can be thrown and caught, allowing for controlled error handling and recovery.
 

5. Standard Template Library (STL): C++ comes with a powerful Standard Template Library that provides a collection of reusable components, such as containers (e.g., vectors, lists), algorithms (e.g., sorting, searching), and iterators. The STL enhances productivity and efficiency in C++ development.

 

6. Operator Overloading: C++ allows the overloading of operators, enabling custom behavior for built-in operators when applied to user-defined types. This feature enhances code readability & expressiveness.

 

7. Function Overloading: C++ supports function overloading, which means multiple functions can have the same name but different parameters. This allows for cleaner & more intuitive code organization.

 

For example : 

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

class Shape {
protected:
    int width, height;

public:
    void setDimensions(int w, int h) {
        width = w;
        height = h;
    }
};

class Rectangle : public Shape {
public:
    int getArea() {
        return width * height;
    }
};

int main() {
    Rectangle rect;
    rect.setDimensions(5, 3);
    cout << "Area: " << rect.getArea() << endl;
    return 0;
}
You can also try this code with Online C++ Compiler
Run Code

 

Output

Area: 15

 

In this code, we define a base class `Shape` with protected members `width` & `height`, & a member function `setDimensions()`. The `Rectangle` class inherits from `Shape` & adds a member function `getArea()` to calculate the area of the rectangle. In the `main()` function, we create a `Rectangle` object, set its dimensions, & print its area.

Java

Java is an object-oriented programming language developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems (now owned by Oracle) in the mid-1990s. It is designed to be platform-independent, which means that Java programs can run on any device that supports the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

Java is known for its "write once, run anywhere" philosophy. Java source code is compiled into bytecode, which is then interpreted by the JVM. This allows Java programs to be executed on any platform without the need for recompilation, which provides portability and cross-platform compatibility.

Java is widely used for developing enterprise applications, web applications, Android apps, and embedded systems. It offers a rich set of libraries and frameworks, like Java Standard Edition (Java SE), Java Enterprise Edition (Java EE), and Android SDK, which provide extensive functionality and simplify the development process.

One of Java's main advantages is its strong emphasis on object-oriented programming. Java programs are organized into classes and objects, which encapsulate data and behavior. Java supports inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation, promoting code reusability, modularity, and maintainability.

Java also provides automatic memory management through garbage collection. The JVM automatically handles memory allocation and deallocation, which reduces the chances of memory leaks and improves developer productivity.

Features of Java Language

1. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Java is designed to be a pure object-oriented language. It supports all OOP principles, including encapsulation, inheritance, & polymorphism, enabling modular & reusable code development.

 

2. Platform Independence: Java programs are compiled into bytecode, which can be executed on any platform with a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) installed. This "write once, run anywhere" principle allows Java code to be portable across different operating systems.
 

3. Automatic Memory Management: Java provides automatic memory management through garbage collection. The JVM automatically handles memory allocation and deallocation, which reduces the chances of memory leaks and frees developers from manual memory management.
 

4. Rich Standard Library: Java comes with a comprehensive standard library that provides a wide range of built-in classes and methods for common tasks, such as input/output, networking, data structures, and concurrency. This extensive library simplifies development and improves productivity.
 

5. Exception Handling: Java has a robust exception-handling mechanism that allows developers to handle runtime errors and exceptions easily. Exceptions can be caught and handled, providing a structured approach to error management.
 

6. Multithreading: Java supports multithreading, which enables concurrently executing multiple threads within a single program. This allows the efficient utilization of system resources and the development of responsive and interactive applications.
 

7. Security: Java provides built-in security features, such as the Java Security Manager, which controls access to system resources and prevents unauthorized access. Java's security model helps protect against malicious code execution and enhances the overall security of Java applications.


For example : 

class Animal {
    protected String name;

    public void setName(String name) {
        this.name = name;
    }

    public void makeSound() {
        System.out.println("Animal makes a sound");
    }
}


class Dog extends Animal {
    public void makeSound() {
        System.out.println("Dog barks");
    }
}

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Dog dog = new Dog();
        dog.setName("Buddy");
        System.out.println("Name: " + dog.name);
        dog.makeSound();
    }
}
You can also try this code with Online Java Compiler
Run Code


Output

Name: Buddy
Dog barks


In this code, we define a base class `Animal` with a protected member `name` and a method `makeSound()`. The `Dog` class extends the `Animal` class and overrides the `makeSound()` method. In the `main()` method, we create a `Dog` object, set its name, and call the `makeSound()` method, which invokes the overridden method in the `Dog` class.

C vs C++ vs Java

 

ParametersCC++Java
Programming ParadigmFollows procedural programming, dividing programs into functions and procedures.Supports both procedural and object-oriented programming, allowing for classes and objects.Purely object-oriented; everything is an object, organized into classes and interfaces.
Memory ManagementManual memory management through malloc() and free() functions.Manual memory management (like C) with limited automatic management through constructors and destructors.Automatic memory management via garbage collection, where the JVM handles allocation and deallocation.
PortabilityGenerally portable across platforms, but some low-level features may need platform-specific adjustments.Portable but can be affected by platform-specific libraries or low-level features.Highly portable due to the "write once, run anywhere" principle, as Java bytecode can run on any platform with a JVM.
InheritanceNo built-in inheritance; can be simulated using structures and function pointers.Supports single and multiple inheritance, enabling classes to inherit properties and methods from multiple base classes.Supports single inheritance through classes and multiple inheritance through interfaces, promoting code reuse and polymorphism.
PointersHeavily relies on pointers for memory management and low-level programming.Supports pointers with additional features like references and smart pointers for safer and more convenient memory handling.Does not have explicit pointers; uses references managed by the JVM.
OverloadingDoes not support function or operator overloading.Supports both function and operator overloading, allowing multiple functions or operators with the same name but different parameters.Supports method overloading, allowing multiple methods with the same name and different parameters, but does not support operator overloading.
Compilation & ExecutionCompiled directly into machine code and executed by the hardware.Also compiled directly into machine code and executed by the hardware.Compiled into bytecode, which is then interpreted and executed by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Java derived from C or C++?

Java is not directly derived from C or C++, but it borrows syntax & concepts from both languages.

Can C++ code be compiled & run in Java?

No, C++ code cannot be directly compiled & run in Java due to differences in syntax & language features.

Is C++ faster than Java?

In general, C++ programs tend to have faster execution times compared to Java programs due to direct compilation to machine code.

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed the differences between the C, C++, and Java programming languages. We learned about their unique features, like C's procedural programming, C++'s object-oriented capabilities, and Java's platform independence. We also compared their memory management, portability, inheritance, and other key aspects. 

You can also check out our other blogs on Code360.

Live masterclass