Java vs C#: from top to toe

Java vs C# ... What could be more interesting, and at the same time more difficult than this eternal dispute? We will not choose the best one. We will not define which language wins the programming championship. We will not hang the labels and divide the developers into the fans teams. Our original purpose is just to gain an understanding of proper Java and C# usage.

General View

Java and C# have the single source С++, that means their certain similarity.  Now they are aimed at C++ improving.

The Microsoft developer Kick Redik pointed out: «Java was built to keep a developer from shooting himself in the foot, C# was built to give the developer a gun but leave the safety turned on».

Despite such identity, a lot of differences in Java and C# characteristics can be noticed. We can compare them through the prism of:

• syntactic base,
• mechanism of work with dynamic data,
• object tools,
• types of data,
• useful features.

Syntactic base

Both Java and C# use C as the syntactic basis. However, their Import Static, Switch Operator, Goto Operator, Constants, the accuracy of floating point calculations, deactivation of checks vary.

The mechanism of work with dynamic data and the garbage collectors

Java and C# model of work with dynamic data is common: the construct “new” is used to create the objects dynamically. The memory of objects which don`t have the links is periodically cleared.

In Java and C#, there are strong and weak references to the objects. The finalizer method is fully supported.

С# has the automatic cleaning, and Java, as opposed to this feature has added the «try-with-resources» structure.

Object tools

To describe the code and data different classes are used.

Encapsulation

In Java, the "protected" modifier in the description permits the access from all the classes that are in the same packet as the class owner.

In C#, for the objects which should be visible in the range of assembly (the approximate analog of Java package) the separate "internal" modifier was introduced ("default" analog in Java), while "protected" retains its original meaning taken from C++, the access only from descendants classes.

Inner classes

Java and C# can determine the class inside the class.

Methods

The class functions define the appropriate methods. The method body is located in the class description, while the static and abstract methods are supported.

In C#, there is an obvious realization of the interface methods.

In Java 8, the default operator has appeared.

Virtual methods

C# copies the concept of virtual methods of C++: the virtual method must be declared with the keyword «virtual», other methods are not virtual.

In Java, on the contrary, all the public methods, except the static, are virtual, and it is impossible to override a method without involving the virtual mechanism.

Types of data

There are several types which Java and C# can refer to:

• Primitive types

• Enumerated types

• Parameterized (generalized) types

We`ve considered Java and C# structural characteristics, and now it`s a high time to study their useful features.

C# advantages

Lambda functions

As well as anonymous inner classes (which Java has), C# also provides more effective lambda functions.

Delegates

In C# this feature is easier and more brief than in Java.

Operator overloading

Operator overloading makes it possible to achieve a natural look of user-defined data type and use it as the main data type.

Properties

C# properties enable data to be accessed easily and still help to promote the safety and flexibility of the methods.

Support of yield in iterations

It helps to define the generator which creates calculations of the sequences on the fly.

Extension methods

This is a convenient method of extending the existing classes, even if they are ready, without a real expansion.

Support of «??-Operator»

It offers a simple syntax to get the value of a reference type.

It`s clear that C# is advanced and progressive language, and the spheres of its applying have no boundaries.

So what can offer Java versus such a progressive language?

Advantages of using Java

The strict static typing

It significantly reduces errors and improves the maintainability of the code.

Great history

The long existence of Java has provided a lot of technologies and programming solutions.

Simplified version of the C#

C# has used Java as the foundation, so it is easier to learn the initial language.

Cross-platform

Java supports the cross-platform approach and runs on almost all the devices.

Abundance of libraries

Java provides its developers with the largest number of libraries.

Java supporters

As Java is one of the most popular languages, Java developers are on a great demand.

Full backward compatibility

Java has the full backward compatibility with the API and ABI from the earliest versions.

The majority of business ideas are implemented by means of Java.

We`ve presented the general review of Java and C# languages trying to emphasize the most important aspects. The choice of a certain language depends on the task, developer`s style, and skills. Hope that this article about Java and C# nature, their strengths, and weaknesses helps you to find the best solution for your project.