Java vs. C++: Which one should you use?

Java and C++ are both object-oriented languages, but they serve different purposes due to their performance, memory management, and platform support. Java is platform-independent, running on the JVM, while C++ is compiled directly to machine code, making it faster for low-level applications like game engines and embedded systems.

C++ provides manual memory management using pointers, giving developers more control but also increasing complexity. Java, in contrast, uses automatic garbage collection, reducing memory leaks but sometimes leading to unpredictable latency in real-time applications. Java is preferred for web applications, enterprise software, and Android apps, while C++ is dominant in gaming, high-performance computing, and system programming.

Key Takeaways:

• Java is platform-independent (runs on JVM), while C++ compiles to native code.

• C++ offers better performance for system-level applications.

• Java’s automatic garbage collection improves memory management but can cause latency.

• C++ is preferred for game engines, while Java dominates enterprise and mobile applications.