Difference Between Java and Ruby

Last Updated : 23 Sept 2025

Java

Java is a popular object-oriented, high-level programming language that was first created by Sun Microsystems and made available in 1995. At the moment, Oracle owns Java, which is used by over 3 billion devices. Java can be used on many different platforms, including Windows, Mac OS, and several UNIX versions. Java is now utilized in the development of many other kinds of software applications, such as games, online apps, desktop apps, and mobile apps, among many others.

To read more: Java

Example

// Java program to print Hello World
public class Main {
    public static void main (String [] args) {
        // Print Statement
        System.out.println ("Hello, World!");
    }
}

Compile and Run

Output:

Hello, World!

Ruby

Ruby is a general-purpose, object-oriented, dynamic, and reflective programming language. Yukihiro Matsumoto created Ruby, a language that is entirely object-oriented. With the exception of blocks, everything in Ruby is an object; however, procs and lambdas can be used in their place. Ruby was created with the intention of serving as a sensible barrier between human programmers and the underlying computer hardware.

To read more: Ruby

Example

=begin 
Ruby program to print Hello World.
=end
puts "Hello World!"
print "Hello World!"
puts "Hello World!"

Output:

Hello World!
Hello World! Hello World!

Java Vs. Ruby

Java	Ruby
Java is an open-source, high-level, object oriented and general- purpose programming language.	Ruby is high-level, entirely object-oriented, general-purpose, low-load programming language from the 1990s.
James Gosling created it at Sun Microsystems in 1995.	Yukihiro "Matz" Matsumoto created Ruby in Japan, in the mid-1990s.
Java is considered as both compiled and interpreted programming language.	Ruby is only an interpreted programming language.
An import statement is used in Java to load a package.	In Ruby, a require statement is used to import a package or module.
It is a little complex and a general-purpose language but a little slower than Ruby.	Compared to Java, but it is a bit faster and simpler.
Java is a fantastic choice for heavy traffic sites and huge computing workloads.	Ruby is a suitable option for computational applications with lower load and fewer high-traffic websites.
Static typing is used.	Dynamic typing is used.
Objects are only found in classes.	Methods, variables, and numbers are all objects.
Java uses casting because it has static typing.	It does not utilize casting because its variables are dynamically typed.
Braces are utilized in Java to define a method or class block.	In Ruby, the 'end' keyword is used to specify a method or class block.
It can be declared using identifiers and has package access by default.	Every member variable is confidential.
There is an access modifier in Java class definitions.	In contrast to Java, Ruby class definitions lack an access modifier.
In Java, parentheses are required.	Ruby does not require parentheses.
Braces are utilized in Java to define a method or class block.	In Ruby, the 'end' keyword is used to specify a method or class block.
Web application frameworks include GWT, JSF, and Spring.	Web application frameworks include Sinatra, Hanami, Ruby on Rails, and others.
"null" is used to declare a null value.	The "nil" keyword is used to define a null value.
Uber, Airbnb, Google, Netflix, Pinterest, Amazon, and other companies use Java.	GitHub, Shopify, Twitter, Airbnb, Dribble, and other businesses use Ruby.

Java and Ruby MCQs

1. Which of the following is true about Java compared to Ruby?

Java is statically typed, Ruby is dynamically typed
Java is dynamically typed, Ruby is statically typed
Both Java and Ruby are statically typed
Both Java and Ruby are dynamically typed

Answer: a)

Explanation: Java requires variable types at compile time (static typing). Ruby determines types at runtime (dynamic typing).

2. In terms of execution, Java programs generally run:

Slower than ruby
Faster than ruby
At the same speed as ruby
Ruby runs on JVM, so both are equal

Answer: b)

Explanation: Java is compiled to bytecode and runs on the JVM, giving it higher performance. Ruby is interpreted, so it usually executes slower.

3. Which of the following best describes Ruby?

Compiled, strongly typed, Platform-independent
Interpreted, Dynamically-typed, Scripting language
Compiled, Weakly-typed, low-level language
Purely object-oriented but not interpreted

Answer: b)

Explanation: Ruby is an interpreted scripting language, dynamically typed, and mainly used for quick development like web apps.

4. In Java, everything is not purely object-oriented because:

Java supports primitive types
Java does not support classes
Java cannot define methods inside classes
Java only supports procedural programming

Answer: a)

Explanation: Java has primitives (int, float, char, etc.) which are not objects, so Java is not "purely" object-oriented. Ruby, however, treats everything as an object.

5. Which of the following is true about Ruby in comparison with Java?

Ruby enforces strict type checking at compile time
Ruby provides more flexibility due to dynamic typing
Ruby is faster in performance than java in most cases
Ruby uses checked exceptions like Java

Answer: b)

Explanation: Ruby's dynamic typing gives flexibility but at the cost of runtime errors. Java's static typing enforces safety at compile time.

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