CSC373/406: : comparison to Java [1/3]

Similarities

• Operators same as Java:
  • Arithmetic

    i = i+1; i++; i--; i *= 2;
    +, -, *, /, %
    

  • Relational and Logical

    <, >, <=, >=, ==, !=
    &&, ||, &, |, !
    

• Syntax same as in Java:

  if ( ) { } else { }
  while ( ) { }
  do { } while ( );
  for(i=1; i <= 100; i++) { }
  switch ( ) {case 1: ... }
  continue; break;
  

Differences

• C programs are compiled to machine executable binary code, whereas Java programs are (usually) compiled to Java byte code, and are run by an interpreter.
• C exposes more of the underlying computer systems.
• C is platform-dependent.
• C is not safe; it has powerful pointers.