C++ vs Java vs JavaScript: What are the differences?

Comparison between C++, Java, and JavaScript

Introduction

C++, Java, and JavaScript are all widely used programming languages with their own unique features and characteristics. In this comparison, we will highlight the key differences between these three languages.

1. Syntax: C++ is a statically typed language that primarily focuses on performance and low-level programming. It uses a complex syntax with pointers and memory management. On the other hand, Java is also statically typed but handles memory management automatically through garbage collection. Java has a simpler syntax compared to C++. JavaScript, being a dynamically typed language, has a more flexible and forgiving syntax.

2. Platform Dependence: Java is designed to be platform-independent, and applications written in Java can run on any platform that supports a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). C++ code, on the other hand, is compiled into machine-specific binary code, making it platform-dependent. JavaScript, as a scripting language, runs within a web browser and can be executed on any platform that supports JavaScript.

3. Object-Oriented Programming: Both C++ and Java are object-oriented programming (OOP) languages, emphasizing the use of classes and objects. However, C++ allows the programmer to have more control over memory and provides multiple inheritance, which Java does not support. In JavaScript, OOP features are implemented through prototypes, making it a prototype-based programming language.

4. Memory Management: In C++, the programmer is responsible for memory allocation and deallocation using pointers and manual memory management techniques. This gives more control but also increases the chances for memory leaks and segmentation faults. In Java, memory management is automatic and handled by the garbage collector, reducing the risk of memory-related issues. JavaScript also has automatic memory management but takes a different approach through garbage collection and reference counting.

5. Concurrency: C++ supports multi-threading and provides fine-grained control over threads with features like mutexes and condition variables. Java also has built-in support for multi-threading through its Thread class and synchronization mechanisms. JavaScript, on the other hand, is single-threaded and follows an event-driven model, relying on callbacks and promises for asynchronous programming.

6. Typing: C++ is a statically typed language, meaning that variable types need to be explicitly declared and checked at compile-time. Java is also statically typed, providing compile-time type checking for strict type safety. JavaScript, in contrast, is dynamically typed, allowing variables to hold values of any type and dynamically changing their types during runtime.

In Summary, C++ is a lower-level language with more control and complexity, Java is platform-independent with automatic memory management, and JavaScript is a flexible scripting language primarily used for web development.