| Platform Independence |
C++ relies on platform; not platform-independent |
Java is platform-independent. |
| Main Usage |
C++ primarily used for system programming. |
Java mainly employed in application programming: window, web, enterprise, mobile. |
| Design Objective |
C++ designed for systems and applications programming, extending C. |
Initially for printing systems, Java evolved for network computing, aiming for ease of use. |
| Goto |
Goto statement supported in C++. |
Java lacks support for the goto statement. |
| Multiple Inheritance |
C++ supports multiple inheritance. |
Java lacks multiple inheritance via classes but provides it through interfaces. |
| Operator Overloading |
Operator overloading is supported in C++. |
Java does not support operator overloading. |
| Pointers |
Pointers are supported in C++. |
Java internally supports pointers but restricts their use in programming. |
| Compiler & Interpreter |
Compiled by a compiler, platform-dependent. |
Compiled to bytecode then interpreted, enabling platform independence. |
| Call by Value/Reference |
Supports both call by value and reference. |
Only supports call by value; no call by reference. |
| Structures & Unions |
Supports structures and unions. |
Lacks support for structures and unions. |
| Thread Support |
Lacks built-in thread support; relies on third-party libraries. |
Built-in support for threads in Java. |
| Documentation Comment |
No support for documentation comments. |
Supports documentation comments for code documentation. |
| Virtual Keyword |
Supports virtual keyword for function overriding decisions. |
All non-static methods are implicitly virtual. |
| Unsigned Right Shift |
Does not support unsigned right shift (>>>) operator. |
Supports unsigned right shift (>>>) operator, ensuring zero fill for negatives. |
| Inheritance Tree |
Always creates a new inheritance tree. |
Uses a single inheritance tree, with all classes ultimately deriving from Object. |
| Hardware Interaction |
Closer interaction with hardware. |
Limited interaction with hardware. |
| Object-oriented |
Object-oriented, but single root hierarchy not feasible in C. |
Object-oriented; all entities (except fundamental types) derive from Object. |
