32 Java, Eiffel and C++: the Language Comparison

Ian Joyner, Microsoft Research Institute, Macquarie University

Convention Centre
Room 18

This tutorial is based on an upcoming book comparing Eiffel, Java and C++. While the object models of these languages are very similar, they are very different in the ease with which software can be built. We will examine the differences between the languages, their strengths and weaknesses in a hard-headed look. The superficial syntactic differences will be looked at, but more importantly, the semantic differences and philosophical basis of each language.

We will see how these differences apply in actually developing software, as it is not just a question of theoretical niceness, but practical application, and what this means in terms of ensuring quality in software.

Attendee Background: This is aimed at an intermediate level of OO expertise for people with experience in any one or more of these languages. However, it will also be of interest to people who are considering which OO language to adopt.

Ian Joyner has been involved in object-oriented programming for almost 20 years, has developed many OO systems, notably communications programs and a music publisher in MacApp, and written OO compilers. He is also interested in programming language issues and is currently writing a book comparing Java, Eiffel and C++. He has ported EiffelS to the Macintosh, and has developed the MOTEL library. He is currently employed at Macquarie University in the Microsoft Research Institute where he is involved with project Bruce to translate Eiffel to Java, and interface the Eiffel and Java libraries.