Difference between Java and C++

Hello guys, Before we start discussing the differences between Java and the C++ language, let's first briefly know about what Java and the C++ language are. Then, afterward, we will see the differences between both and their programming implementation.

What is Java?

Java is an object-oriented programming language (OOP), and it has so many powerful features that make Java one of the most popular, useful, and high-performance programming languages. Java is widely recognized for its object-oriented platform independence, high performance, security, etc.

Java was developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems in the year 1995 and later on Oracle Corporation's acquisition of Sun Microsystems in 2009–10.

Java syntax and concepts are easy and simple to learn and understand. That makes Java a simple programming language. Java's syntax is similar to other programming languages like C and C++. The codes in Java are always written in the form of classes and objects.

What is C++?

C++ is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language (OOP). C++ was developed by Danish computer scientist Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs in 1979 as an extension of the C language. C++ is a superset of the 'C' language with additional object-oriented concepts implemented.

C++ was designed with an orientation toward system programming and embedded, resource-constrained software and large systems, with performance, efficiency, and flexibility of use as its design highlights.

Java and C++ are both Object-Oriented Programming languages, but there are many differences and similarities between them.

Difference between Java and C++

Comparison Parameters	Java	C++
Founder	Java was developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems.	C++ was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs since 1979 as an extension of the C language.
First Release	On May 23, 1995	In October 1985
Platform-Independent	Java is platform-independent.	C++ is platform-dependent.
Compiler and Interpreter	Java supports both compiler and interpreter.	C++ supports only compiler.
Used for	Java is mainly used for application programming. It is widely used in Windows-based, web-based, enterprise, and mobile applications.	C++ is mainly used for system programming.
Pointers	Java doesn't support Pointers	Yes, C++ supports pointers.
Multiple inheritance	No, Java doesn't support multiple inheritance through classes but Yes, we can implement it through interfaces.	C++ supports multiple inheritance.
Goto statement	Java doesn't support	C++ supports
Operator Overloading	Java doesn't support operator overloading.	C++ supports operator overloading
Call by Value and Call by reference	Java supports call by value only. There is no call by reference in java.	C++ supports both call by value and call by reference.
Structures and Unions	Java doesn’t support Structures and Unions.	C++ supports Structures and Unions.
Virtual Keyword	It doesn’t have Virtual Keyword.	It has Virtual Keyword.
Documentation comment	Java supports documentation comment.	C++ doesn't support.
Source file extension	.java	.cpp

Comparison Parameters

Java

C++

Founder

Java was developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems.

C++ was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs since 1979 as an extension of the C language.

First Release

On May 23, 1995

In October 1985

Platform-Independent

Java is platform-independent.

C++ is platform-dependent.

Compiler and Interpreter

Java supports both compiler and interpreter.

C++ supports only compiler.

Used for

Java is mainly used for application programming. It is widely used in Windows-based, web-based, enterprise, and mobile applications.

C++ is mainly used for system programming.

Pointers

Java doesn't support Pointers

Yes, C++ supports pointers.

Multiple inheritance

No, Java doesn't support multiple inheritance through classes but Yes, we can implement it through interfaces.

C++ supports multiple inheritance.

Goto statement

Java doesn't support

C++ supports

Operator Overloading

Java doesn't support operator overloading.

C++ supports operator overloading

Call by Value and Call by reference

Java supports call by value only. There is no call by reference in java.

C++ supports both call by value and call by reference.

Structures and Unions

Java doesn’t support Structures and Unions.

C++ supports Structures and Unions.

Virtual Keyword

It doesn’t have Virtual Keyword.

It has Virtual Keyword.

Documentation comment

Java supports documentation comment.

C++ doesn't support.

Source file extension

.java

.cpp

Java Program Example

  class Hello {  
    public static void main(String args[]) {  
      System.out.println("Welcome to Java Programming World");  
    }  
  }

C++ Program Example

  #include <iostream>  
    using namespace std;  
    int main() {  
        cout << "Welcome to C++ Programming World";  
        return 0;  
  }