Java outperforms C++?

I have taken C++'s speed for granted for years, so I was stunned by the
table of Cost of Common Operations between C++ and Java on page 601 of Code
Complete 2nd Edition by Steve McConnell. It seems, as shown in the table,
that Java outperforms C++ in every criteria, if not merely matches the
latter.

Is that I am reading the table the wrong way? or my previous assumption has
been so wrong? or the author had the columns reversed?

ben


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