C and C++ are high-level programming languages widely used for system and application development. C is known for its simplicity and close-to-hardware capabilities, while C++ extends C with features like object-oriented programming, making it suitable for complex software projects.

Java is a versatile, high-level programming language renowned for its platform independence, thanks to its "write once, run anywhere" philosophy. It achieves this by compiling code into an intermediate bytecode that can be executed on any Java Virtual Machine (JVM), making it ideal for cross-platform applications and web development.

Microsoft ASP.NET is not a programming language itself, but rather a web application framework that supports multiple programming languages like C#, VB.NET, and F#. It simplifies web development by providing tools and libraries for building dynamic, interactive web applications and services.