20+ Differences Between C And Java (Everything You Need To Know)

One of the most frequently asked questions for computer science students is what programming language they should learn or are interested in. This is a natural debate, given the many programming languages that a software developer must choose from. In this article, we will provide you with inputs for the long-standing debate on two popular languages, i.e., C Vs. Java.

We will explore the difference between C and Java and also take a look at their individual definitions, applications, advantages and disadvantages so that you can decide which works best for you.

C Language | A Brief Overview 

C language, developed in the early 1970s by Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs, is a fundamental programming language widely used for system programming, embedded systems, and application development.

• It is known for its simplicity, efficiency, and portability and is the foundation for many modern programming languages.
• It offers low-level access to memory, making it suitable for tasks requiring direct hardware manipulation.
• Learning C is a good way to lay a strong foundation before deep-diving into the world of computer science and software development.

Java Language | A Brief Overview

Java, developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems in the mid-1990s, is a versatile and powerful programming language. It is widely used for building various applications, from desktop and web applications to mobile and enterprise applications.

• One of the key features of Java is its platform independence that Java programs to run on any platform which has a JVM installed.
• Java is renowned for its object-oriented nature, automatic memory management (garbage collector), strong type system, and extensive standard library.
• Learning Java is a good way to gain comprehensive knowledge of object-oriented programming concepts while developing practical skills for application on real-world software solutions across different domains.

Difference Between C And Java | A Snapshot View

The table below will help you figure out what is the difference between C and Java in a concise and comprehensive form.

Key Differences Between C And Java Explained

1. Portability:

• C: While C code can theoretically run on different platforms, it often requires recompilation for each platform due to its platform-dependent nature. This means that code written for one platform may not work directly on another without modifications and recompilation.
• Java: Java was designed with portability in mind. Java code is compiled into platform-independent bytecode, which can then be executed on any platform with a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). This "write once, run anywhere" (WORA) approach allows Java programs to run on any device or operating system with a compatible JVM without the need for modification.

2. Memory Management:

• C: In C, memory management is manual, meaning that the programmer is responsible for allocating and freeing memory using functions like malloc() and free(). This gives the programmer a lot of control over memory usage but can lead to errors such as memory leaks and dangling pointers if not handled properly.
• Java: Java, on the other hand, employs automatic memory management through a process called garbage collection. The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) automatically handles memory allocation and deallocation, freeing Java developers/ programmers from managing memory manually. This reduces the likelihood of memory-related errors but can introduce overhead and potentially impact performance.

3. Exception Handling:

• C: Exception handling in C is limited compared to Java. Error handling in C typically relies on return codes or global variables to indicate errors, which can make error detection and handling more complex and error-prone.
• Java: Java provides robust exception handling mechanisms, allowing developers to easily detect, propagate, and handle exceptions. Java's exception handling makes code more readable, maintainable, and robust by separating error-handling logic from the main program flow.

4. Type:

• C: C supports both primitive data types (such as int, float, char) and user-defined types (structs, unions, enums).
• Java: Java also supports primitive data types (int, float, char, etc.), but it is purely object-oriented, meaning that even primitive types are treated as objects. Additionally, Java allows for the creation of user-defined types through classes and interfaces.

5. Object Oriented:

• C: C is primarily a procedural programming language and does not have built-in support for object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts such as classes, objects, and inheritance. While it is possible to implement OOP principles in C using structs and function pointers, it requires more manual effort and is not as intuitive as in Java.
• Java: Java is a purely object-oriented programming language, designed from the ground up to support OOP principles. Everything in Java is an object, and classes and interfaces are used to define the structure and behavior of objects. Java's OOP features, such as encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism, promote code reusability, modularity, and maintainability.

6. Variable Type:

• C: In C, variable types can be static, but the auto keyword can also be used for automatic type inference in some contexts.
• Java: Variable types in Java are statically typed, meaning that the type of each variable must be explicitly declared.

C Langauge | Key Features, Applications, Advantages & Disadvantages

The basic features facilitate skilled developers to design sophisticated applications. Some of the key features of C langauge are:

1. Simplicity: It is a simple and easy-to-learn core computer programming language, ideal for beginners and professionals alike.
2. Efficiency: It provides low-level access to system resources, thus allowing efficient memory management and high-performance code execution.
3. Portability: C programs can be easily ported across different platforms and architectures with minimal modifications.
4. Modularity: This language supports modular programming through functions and libraries, enabling code reusability and maintainability.
5. Flexibility: C consists a wide range of data types, operators, and control structures, thus providing programmers with flexibility in designing algorithms and data structures.
6. Standardization: The language is standardized by many organizations like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), ensuring consistency and compatibility across implementations.
7. Procedural Programming: It is a procedural programming language, emphasizing step-by-step procedures and structured programming techniques.
8. Community Support: Given that it is one of the oldest languages out there, it has a vast and active community of developers, providing resources, libraries, and support for all.

Read More: History Of C Language | Origin & Structure (Timeline Infographic)

Applications of C Language

C is a versatile programming language with numerous applications across various domains. Some of the important applications of C include:

1. System Software Development: C is commonly used for developing system software applications such as operating systems (e.g., Unix, Linux, Windows), device drivers, firmware, and compilers.
2. Embedded Systems: C is widely used in embedded systems programming for devices with limited resources, such as microcontrollers, IoT devices, and real-time systems. 
3. Game Development: Many game engines and game development frameworks are written in C or C++. For example, Unreal Engine and Unity are partially or fully written in C or C++.
4. Databases: C is used in developing database management systems (DBMS) and database engines, such as, MySQL, SQLite, and PostgreSQL.
5. Graphics and Multimedia: This base language is widely used in graphics programming, image processing, and multimedia applications. Libraries like OpenGL and DirectX, commonly used for 2D and 3D graphics rendering are often accessed through C or C++ APIs.
6. Compilers and Interpreters: Many programming language compilers and interpreters are written in C, including compilers for languages like C, C++, and Java. 

Advantages & Disadvantages Of C

Do you know? The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) developed a commercial standard for the programming language in 1983. 

Java Langauge | Key Features, Applications, Advantages & Disadvantages

Java is one of the most preferred languages for software platforms, owing to how it can be used for diverse purposes. Here are a few key features of this popular programming language that you must note: 

1. Platform Independence: Java programs are compiled into bytecode, which can run on any platform with a Java Virtual Machine (JVM), ensuring platform independence.
2. Object-Oriented: Java is a pure object-oriented programming language, supporting concepts like classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation, and abstraction.
3. Automatic Memory Management: Java features automatic garbage collection, relieving developers from manual memory management tasks and reducing the risk of memory leaks.
4. Robustness: Java incorporates strong type checking, exception handling, and a comprehensive standard library, enhancing the reliability and robustness of applications.
5. Multi-threading: Java provides built-in support for multi-threading, enabling concurrent execution of multiple tasks within a single program and facilitating parallel processing and responsiveness.
6. Security: Java's sandbox security model and built-in security features protect against malicious code and unauthorized access to system resources, ensuring secure execution of Java applications.
7. Rich Standard Library: Java offers a vast standard library (Java API) that provides pre-built functionality for common tasks, facilitating rapid application development and reducing development time.
8. Community Support: Java has a large and active community of developers, providing resources, libraries, frameworks, and support for beginners and experienced programmers alike.

Applications of Java

Java is a versatile programming language with a wide range of applications across various industries. 

1. Web Development: Java is widely used for developing web applications, including dynamic websites, e-commerce platforms, and web services. Popular Java web frameworks like Spring, Hibernate, and Struts facilitate rapid development and scalability.
2. Enterprise Software: Given Java's robustness, scalability, and platform independence, it is extensively used in enterprise software development to build large-scale and mission-critical applications (e.g., banking systems and CRM).
3. Mobile Development: Java, along with the Android SDK, is the primary language for developing Android mobile applications. Android Studio, the official IDE for Android development, supports Java as the main programming language for building Android apps.
4. Desktop Applications: Java's rich GUI libraries (such as JavaFX and Swing) make it suitable for developing different types of applications with graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Applications like IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, and NetBeans IDE are developed using Java.
5. Big Data Processing: Java is used in big data processing and analytics frameworks like Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark, and Apache Flink. These frameworks leverage Java's scalability, performance, and parallel processing capabilities to process and analyze large volumes of data efficiently.
6. Gaming: Java is used in game development for developing desktop, web-based, and mobile games. Game development frameworks like LibGDX and JavaFX Game Development Framework allow developers to create cross-platform games using Java.

Advantages & Disadvantages Of Java

Read More: Advantages And Disadvantages of Java Programming Language

C Vs Java: Which one is better?

Determining whether C or Java is better depends on various factors, including the specific requirements of the project, the level of control and performance needed, and the developer's familiarity with the languages. Both languages have their strengths and weaknesses, making them suitable for different scenarios.

C, being a low-level language, provides greater control over system resources and performance. It is well-suited for tasks that require direct memory manipulation, such as system programming, embedded systems development, and writing device drivers. Additionally, C's simplicity and efficiency make it an excellent choice for performance-critical applications where every CPU cycle counts.

On the other hand, Java offers a higher level of abstraction and platform independence, making it an ideal choice for developing cross-platform applications and enterprise-level software. Java's automatic memory management, through garbage collection, simplifies memory management and reduces the risk of memory-related errors. Its rich standard library, extensive community support, and strong support for object-oriented programming make it well-suited for building large-scale, maintainable software projects. Additionally, Java's robust exception handling and multithreading capabilities contribute to the reliability and scalability of Java applications.

Ultimately, the choice between C and Java depends on the specific requirements and constraints of the project. For low-level system programming or applications requiring excellent performance and control over modern hardware resources, C may be the better choice. Conversely, for projects that prioritize platform independence, ease of development, and scalable applications, Java may offer a more suitable solution.

Also Read: Difference between Java and Javascript

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

1. What is meant by procedural language?

A procedural language, as the name suggests, relies on specified and meticulously organized processes, functions, or sub-routines in a program's architecture by outlining each step the computer must take to get to the required state or result.

Using variables, functions, statements, and conditional operators, the procedural language divides a program into distinct sections. One of the most popular categories of programming languages is procedural, with noteworthy examples being C/C++, Java, and PASCAL.

2. What are the main differences between C and Java in terms of memory management?

In C, memory management is manual, requiring explicit allocation and deallocation of memory using functions like malloc() and free(). Java, on the other hand, employs automatic memory management through garbage collection, where the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) automatically deallocates memory for objects no longer in use.

3. How do C and Java differ in terms of platform independence?

C code needs to be recompiled for each target platform, making it platform-dependent. In contrast, Java programs are compiled into bytecode, which can run on any device with a Java Virtual Machine (JVM), providing platform independence and enabling "write once, run anywhere" capability.

4. Does Java support dynamic loading?

Yes, Java supports dynamic loading of classes at runtime through a mechanism called "reflection." Reflection allows Java programs to inspect and manipulate classes, interfaces, fields, and methods dynamically without knowing their names at compile time. This enables developers to load classes dynamically based on runtime conditions or user input, making the application more flexible and adaptable. Dynamic loading is commonly used in Java frameworks and libraries for features such as plugin systems, dependency injection, and dynamic code generation.

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