In Java programming, is Java considered a pure object oriented language, and why or why not?

Introduction / Context:
Many interviewers ask whether Java is a pure object oriented language, because the answer reveals how well you understand Java's type system and design philosophy. While Java was designed to be highly object oriented, it also includes features that deviate from the strictest possible definition of object orientation. Knowing these details helps you reason about language design and explain why some programmers describe Java as object oriented but not pure object oriented.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are discussing mainstream Java, not specialised extensions.
• Java supports classes, objects, and inheritance.
• Java also supports primitive types such as int, boolean, and double.
• Some definitions of pure object oriented languages require that everything is an object.

Concept / Approach:
A strict definition of a pure object oriented language would require that every value is an object, that all operations are performed by sending messages to objects, and that there are no primitive types or standalone functions. Java is strongly object oriented in the sense that methods belong to classes, there is single inheritance for classes, interfaces define contracts, and most work is done through objects. However, Java also defines primitive types for efficiency and simplicity. Values of type int, double, boolean, and other primitives are not objects and do not have methods of their own. Wrapper classes such as Integer and Boolean exist but are separate from the primitives. This means Java does not satisfy the strict everything is an object criterion and is therefore not pure object oriented.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List Java's primitive types: byte, short, int, long, float, double, char, and boolean. Step 2: Observe that these primitives are stored and manipulated without requiring object allocation or method calls. Step 3: Recall that Java provides wrapper classes such as Integer, Double, and Boolean, which are objects but are different from the primitives they wrap. Step 4: Compare this with a pure object oriented language definition that expects even numbers and booleans to be objects with methods. Step 5: Conclude that, while Java is heavily object oriented, the existence of primitive types means it is not pure object oriented according to strict definitions.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify that primitives are not objects by trying to call methods on them directly. For example, writing 5.toString() is not valid Java syntax, whereas new Integer(5).toString() is valid because Integer is a class. Also, primitives can be used without the new keyword and without garbage collection overhead, which is different from how true objects behave. Even with auto boxing in later versions of Java, the underlying distinction between primitive values and wrapper objects remains. This supports the conclusion that Java is not pure object oriented in the strictest sense.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option Yes, Java is pure object oriented because everything in Java is an object: This is incorrect because primitives are not objects. Option Yes, Java is pure object oriented because it does not support functions outside classes: While it is true that methods belong to classes, this alone does not make a language pure object oriented. Option No, Java is not pure object oriented because it does not support inheritance: Java does support inheritance, including single class inheritance and multiple interface inheritance, so this statement is false.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes hear that Java is fully object oriented and repeat that phrase without considering the role of primitives. Another pitfall is to think that the presence of static methods or arrays also breaks object orientation; while these features are relevant for design discussions, the primary reason Java is not pure is the existence of non object primitive types. For exam answers, it is usually enough to state clearly that Java is not pure object oriented because it includes primitive data types that are not objects.

Final Answer:
Java is not considered a pure object oriented language because it provides primitive data types that are not objects.