What is difference between Java and C?

Syntax: Java and C have different syntax styles. C has a more minimalistic and low-level syntax, while Java has a higher-level, object-oriented syntax. C uses curly braces to define code blocks, while Java uses curly braces for code blocks as well as for class and method definitions.

Memory Management: In C, memory management is primarily done manually using functions like malloc() and free(). This gives the programmer fine-grained control over memory allocation and deallocation. On the other hand, Java has automatic memory management through a process called garbage collection. The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) takes care of allocating and freeing memory, which simplifies memory management for the programmer.

Pointers: C allows direct manipulation of memory addresses using pointers. Pointers allow for more efficient memory access and low-level operations, but they also introduce the possibility of memory-related errors like segmentation faults. Java, on the other hand, does not have pointers in the same sense as C. It provides references to objects, but these references do not allow direct memory manipulation.

Platform Dependency: C is a low-level language that is often used for system programming and developing operating systems, device drivers, and embedded systems. C code is compiled into machine code specific to the target platform. Java, on the other hand, is designed to be platform-independent. Java code is compiled into bytecode that can run on any system with a compatible JVM.

Object-Oriented Programming: Java is an object-oriented programming language and enforces object-oriented principles. It provides features like classes, objects, inheritance, and polymorphism. C, on the other hand, is a procedural language that does not have built-in support for object-oriented programming. Although C can be used to write code in an object-oriented style, it requires manual implementation of OOP concepts.

Standard Library: Java has a comprehensive standard library that provides a wide range of built-in classes and APIs for various tasks, including networking, file I/O, database connectivity, and more. C has a minimal standard library that focuses primarily on basic functionality, and additional libraries need to be included for specific tasks.

Portability: Java programs are highly portable because they run on any system with a compatible JVM. Once a Java program is compiled into bytecode, it can be executed on any platform without the need for recompilation. C programs, on the other hand, need to be recompiled for each target platform due to their platform-specific nature.