Treffer: Performance Evaluation: Java vs C++

Java is becoming much more widely used in academic settings because it offers a nice language for both introductory courses as well as more advanced courses. There is, however, always a kind of "apology" made for Java due to its slower execution. Java implementations are steadily improving with the use of JIT (Just In Time) compilation as well as strides being made in other areas affecting runtime such as garbage collection routines. This paper compares Java to C++ in terms of execution times. This comparison includes a summary of results reported in the literature and presents new testing results based on sorting routines. These results show that with the support of JIT technology the Java performance penalty is becoming much more "acceptable" thus allowing educators to present Java without apology.