C vs C++ vs Java vs Python vs JavaScript

Last Updated : 12 Aug, 2025

C, C++, Java, Python and JavaScript are among the most popular and influential languages, but they serve very different purposes.

C – Compiled, procedural. A low-level, high-performance language with direct memory access via pointers. Common in operating systems, embedded systems and performance-critical software.
C++ – Compiled, multi-paradigm (procedural, OOP, generic). Extends C with classes, templates and RAII. Used in game engines, simulations and high-performance applications.
Java – Compiled to bytecode, runs on JVM (interpreted/JIT-compiled). Platform-independent, strongly typed, with automatic garbage collection. Popular for enterprise android and backend systems.
Python – Dynamically typed, typically first compiled and then interpreted via bytecode execution. Prioritizes readability and rapid development. Dominates AI, data science and automation.
JavaScript – Interpreted with JIT compilation, event-driven, prototype-based. Core language for web development; runs in browsers and on servers via Node.js.

C vs C++ vs Java vs Python vs JavaScript – Comparison Table

Feature	C	C++	Java	Python	JavaScript
Typing	Static	Static	Static	Dynamic	Dynamic
Syntax Complexity	High, low-level & manual	High, verbose & manual control	Medium, strict but simpler than C++	Low, very simple & readable	Medium, flexible but quirky
Memory Management	Manual	Manual + RAII	Automatic (Garbage Collector)	Automatic (Garbage Collector)	Automatic (Garbage Collector)
Main Use Cases	OS, compilers, embedded systems	Games, simulations, system software	Enterprise apps android, backend	Data science, AI, scripting, web	Web front-end, backend (Node.js)
Execution Speed	Fastest	Fastest	Fast	Slower	Fast in browsers
Paradigm	Procedural	Procedural + OOP	OOP	Multi-paradigm	Event-driven + functional