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C and Java are two popular programming languages, and while they share some similarities, there are also significant differences between them. Here are some syntactical and new features of C in contrast with Java:
Pointers: C is a low-level language that allows the use of pointers. Pointers are variables that hold the memory address of another variable or object. In C, pointers are commonly used to manipulate memory directly, which gives the programmer more control over the computer's hardware. Java, on the other hand, is a high-level language that does not allow direct access to memory addresses. Instead, Java uses references to objects, which are similar to pointers but with more restrictions. References are used to access objects on the heap, which is an area of memory managed by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
Preprocessor directives: C has a preprocessor that allows the programmer to define constants, include header files, and perform other preprocessing tasks before compilation. The preprocessor is a separate program that processes the source code before it is compiled into machine code. Preprocessor directives are used to tell the preprocessor what to do. For example, the #define directive can be used to define constants that are used throughout the program. Java does not have a preprocessor. Instead, all code is compiled as is, and the JVM takes care of the rest.
Structs: C allows the creation of user-defined data types using structs. Structs are collections of variables that can have different data types. Structs are similar to classes in Java, but they are simpler and have less functionality. Structs are commonly used to group related data together, such as a point in 3D space or a record in a database. Java does not have structs, but it has classes, which are similar in concept but with some differences in syntax and semantics. Classes are used to encapsulate data and behavior into objects.
Operator overloading: C++ allows the overloading of operators, which means that different meanings can be assigned to the same operator depending on the context. For example, the + operator can be used to add two numbers, concatenate two strings, or merge two arrays. Operator overloading can make code more concise and intuitive. Java does not allow operator overloading. Instead, it uses methods to perform operations on objects.
Function pointers: C allows the use of function pointers, which are variables that hold the address of a function. Function pointers can be used to pass functions as arguments to other functions, or to create callback functions that are called when a certain event occurs. Function pointers can be powerful tools for creating modular and flexible code. Java does not have function pointers. Instead, it uses interfaces to achieve similar functionality.
Automatic variables: In C, variables declared within a function are automatically allocated on the stack and are destroyed when the function returns. This is known as automatic memory allocation. Automatic variables are useful for storing temporary data that is only needed for a short period. In Java, all objects are allocated on the heap, and the garbage collector is responsible for freeing unused memory. This is known as dynamic memory allocation. Dynamic memory allocation is done with the help of malloc() using pointers and is useful for managing large data structures and objects that need to persist beyond the lifetime of a single function.
Multiple return values: In C, functions can return multiple values by using pointers or structs. Pointers and structs can be used to pack multiple values into a single object that can be returned from a function. This can make code more concise and efficient. Java does not allow functions to return multiple values directly, but they can be returned as part of a data structure like an array or a class. For example, a method could return an array of integers or an object that contains multiple fields.
Memory management: C requires the programmer to manage memory allocation and deallocation manually, which can be error-prone and lead to memory leaks. Java uses automatic memory management, which frees the programmer from worrying about memory allocation and deallocation.
Newer features: In recent years, C has introduced several new features, including support for atomics, threads, and type-generic macros. Java has also introduced new features, such as lambdas and streams, which make it easier to write functional-style code. However, Java's new features are more focused on improving the language's high-level functionality, while C's new features are more geared towards low-level programming and system-level optimization.
Feel free to add more contrasting features as compared to java in the comments section below.