All About Java & C++- Differences, Pros & Cons

4 min readFeb 2, 2023

What is Java?

A well-known high-level programming language called Java was first introduced in 1995. It is a concurrent, object-oriented, class-based programming language with the least amount of implementation dependencies possible. Video games, web applications, corporate software, and other interactive media are all frequently created with Java.

One of Java’s main advantages is its platform independence, which allows Java code to run without modification on a variety of hardware and operating systems. This is made possible by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which decodes Java bytecode into machine-readable code. Additionally, Java has a sizable and vibrant community.

The software development industry employs the widespread use of Java, a flexible and platform-neutral programming language. It is renowned for its security features as well as for having a sizable and vibrant community that has helped to create a number of development-friendly libraries and frameworks.

What is C++?

Early in the 1980s, Bjarne Stroustrup developed the high-level programming language C++. Given that it combines elements from both low-level and high-level languages, it is an extension of the C programming language and is regarded as an intermediate-level language.

In the software development industry, C++ is frequently used, especially in games, system programming, and embedded devices. The Standard Template Library, templates, exception handling, and object-oriented programming are all significant aspects of C++ (STL).

The two main benefits of C++ are its performance and efficiency. The ability to create high-performance code is essential in high-performance applications like gaming engines, which typically use C++ code.

Difference between Java and C++

Here are a few significant differences between Java and C++.

Simple to use and quick to develop

Java is easier to use and more beginner-friendly than C++ because of its automated memory management and lack of references. Furthermore, Java’s platform independence allows for quicker development because code may run on several computers without modification.

While C++ has a more difficult learning curve and requires careful memory management, its effectiveness and performance make it a good choice for several applications, like game development and system programming.

Libraries and Frameworks

Many libraries and frameworks, such as the Standard Template Library (STL), Boost, and others, are included in C++ and can be utilised to speed up development. For performing fundamental programming tasks, the STL in particular offers a wide variety of data structures and methods.

Java has a large number of tools and frameworks, such as Spring, Hibernate, and Apache Struts, which can be used to accelerate development. These frameworks and libraries provide a range of functionality, such as web development, database access, and security.

Applications

C++ is widely used in high-performance applications such as gaming, system programming, and embedded systems. The development of mobile apps, web applications, corporate software, video games, and other interactive media is heavily reliant on Java, in contrast.

Games like Battlefield, World of Warcraft, and Crysis, operating systems like Windows and Linux, and productivity tools like Adobe Photoshop and AutoCAD are just a few examples of well-known C++ applications.

Mobile apps for Android, enterprise software like Oracle Database and IBM WebSphere, and well-known websites like Netflix, Amazon, and LinkedIn are some examples of popular Java applications.

Pros and Cons of Java and C++

Pros of C++

C++ is a reliable and adaptable programming language that works well for high-performance applications like system programming and game development.
C++ includes a number of libraries and frameworks that can be used to accelerate development, including the Standard Template Library (STL), Boost, and Qt.
C++ is extensively used and may be found on a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Cons of C++

C++ has a rather high learning curve and can be difficult to comprehend and use, especially for beginners.
It is challenging for programmers to create memory-safe programmes in C++ since its memory management paradigm is very different from other current languages.
Although it offers threading libraries, C++ lacks built-in support for multithreading.

Pros of Java

Java operates on a virtual computer and is platform-independent, thus the same code can run on numerous platforms without modification.
As opposed to C++, Java features automated memory management (garbage collection), making it more user- and beginner-friendly.
Java has a large and active community that has contributed to the construction of a broad range of libraries and frameworks that can be used to speed up development.

Cons of Java

Java can be slower than C++ since it uses a virtual computer to do its operations.
For some low-level programming tasks, Java is less effective since it does not provide pointers.
The level of system control in Java is not as precise as in C++.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the high-level, advanced programming languages C++ and Java are both extensively used in the software development industry. Both languages support object-oriented programming concepts and have large, vibrant communities.

However, Java is often seen as being easier to use and more beginner-friendly than C++ due to its automated memory management and platform independence. On the other hand, C++ is renowned for its effectiveness and performance and is commonly applied in high-performance applications like system programming and game development. For faster development, each language has its own set of standard libraries, frameworks, and tools.