Python Vs. Java: Which is the Best Programming Language for your Next Project?

8 min read
Updated: Nov 05, 2020

Python and Java are the two most powerful and popular programming languages. Both these languages have the best libraries to perform any task and tremendous community support. Python is continuously improving to remain at the top, while organizations use Java to create enterprise-level apps. In this blog, we will walk through the details of both these languages and compare them to see which is the best for your project. 

Python Vs. Java

Python and Java are the two programming languages that have many similarities. Both these languages are cross-platform and have extensive standard libraries. These languages hold top positions in the TIOBE Index of October 2020 by competing for being the most popular languages. 

In terms of coding, Python is short and straightforward. There is no need for in-depth coding knowledge, it doesn’t need a semicolon at the end of every line, and data types declaration is dynamic. Here is an example of Python coding style:- 

print (“Hello, World!”)

On the other hand, coding in Java is lengthy and needs semicolons at every line’s end. The declarative data types are static in Java, and this language requires in-depth knowledge. Here is an example of an easy program that every developer writes in the learning phase:-

class HelloWorld

{

public static void main(String[] args)

{

System.out.println(“Hello, World!”);

}

}

What is Python?

Python is a high-level programming language. It has data structures that are combined with dynamic typing and binding. Python has enormous library support that enables the developers to implement various algorithms and programs. It offers support for packages and modules, which results in code reuse and system modularity. 

Pros and Cons of Python

Pros of Python 

  1. IoT Opportunities

Python is one of the most popular languages for the Internet of Things. With the new Raspberry Pi platform, it becomes easy to develop a project that connects the users with the real world and gives them a unique experience. 

  1. Multi-Paradigm Approach

With Python, the developers don’t feel restricted in creating something new. For instance, the Python developers don’t need to create an object-oriented class to print a simple message like “Hello World.” Python follows a multiparadigm approach and supports procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming styles.

Python is a programming language that enables the developers to write applications using several programming paradigms and makes it clear & easy to understand. 

  1. Asynchronous Coding

Python is the most preferred language for writing asynchronous code rather than using a single event loop to work on small units. It is easier to write and maintain asynchronous codes using Python, as you don’t need to worry about the deadlocks. Besides this, Python’s generators are the best options to interleave running various processing loops. 

  1. Easy to Read & Use 

Python is an easy to read & use programming language. Anyone can easily understand and maintain your program. It is an extremely popular language in academia and helps create a large talent pool in the market. Python offers a very productive way of coding that comes from simple syntax and readability. 

Cons of Python

  1. Design Restrictions

Python developers have cited a few issues with the design of the language. As it is a dynamically typed programming language, it requires more testing, and there are chances of having more errors that only get displayed at the runtime. Besides this, the global interpreter lock of Python means that only one thread can access the Python internals at a time. 

  1.  Speed

Speed is an issue with the Python programming language. As we know, that it is an interpreted language, it often gets slower than any other compiled languages. This also depends on separating the language from the runtime. The Python code runs faster under PyPy than the equivalent C code. 

  1. Weak in Mobile Computing

Python is a language that is present on many desktop platforms and servers. But it lacks in giving perfect solutions to mobile computing. There are a very handful of smartphones that are created using Python. 

Features of Python

  • Easy to learn and maintain
  • Support for large programs
  • Automatic garbage collection
  • Easy integration with C, C++, and Java.
  • Dynamic data type
  • Interactive mode of debugging & testing

What is Java?

Java is an object-oriented, multi-platform, and network-centric app programming language. It is the most commonly used computing platform. It works on the write once run anywhere (WORA) concept. Java is a technology that runs on various platforms like UNIX, Mac OS, and Windows. 

Pros and Cons of Java

Pros of Java

  1. Secure Language

Java is a programming language that reduces the risks and threats by ignoring the use of explicit pointers. Here, the pointer means a place where another value’s memory addresses get stored and can cause unauthorized memory access. 

  1. Platform-independent

This programming language offers platform-independent features to Java developers using which they can write the code once and can use it multiple times. In Java, the byte code is platform-independent, and it can run on any machine of any OS. 

  1. Simple

Java has a straightforward syntax, which is easy to learn & write, understand, and maintain. The code in the Java language is easily debuggable. Java is considered a less complicated language.

  1. Object-Oriented

Java is known as an object-oriented programming language that enhances the flexibility of the code. It binds the functions and data into a single unit, which results in increased security.  Besides this, Java helps in organizing bigger modules into smaller ones. 

Cons of Java

  1. Complex Codes

Java codes have many long and complex sentences that might not be easy for everyone to read. This can affect the readability of the Java code. Besides this, by putting efforts into becoming more manageable, Java has to compromise flexibility and overly explanatory codes.

  1. Not Attractive GUI

Java has many GUI builders that can create a graphical interface, but they are not suitable for developing complicated UI. Many frameworks can create GUI, but they are not mature enough to develop a complex and complicated UI.

  1. Poor Performance

When it comes to Java programming language, it is memory-consuming and slower than other native languages like C or C++ because of the JVM’s extra level of abstraction and complication.

Features of Java

  • Write once and run it every time
  • Builds object-oriented applications
  • Multithread language
  • Distributed computing
  • Simple and secure language
  • More dynamic than C & C++

Parameters to Compare

  1. Popularity

Java and Python are the two programming languages to top the game of popularity. They have been a close competitor, along with JavaScript. Before JavaScript was launched, Java was the most popular programming language, and then the founders of JavaScript came up with the name that is close to Java to make it gain traction. According to recent research by Statista, Python is one of the most popular programming languages based on the share of tutorial searches in Google in 2020. So it’s safe to say that both languages are in the same area for popularity. 

  1. Performance

When we talk about programming languages, they don’t have speed; they only have semantics. To compare the speed of the programming language, then you must compare the most specific implementations. 

Both Python and Java are run by compiling the bytecode and running them on virtual platforms. This feature of these technologies might be the same, but they have fundamental differences. 

  1. Syntax

When we compare these two programming languages’ syntax, we can see that Python is exceptionally dynamic, while Java is opposite to it.

The Python developers don’t have to input the variables. It is done during the runtime.  Python is a language that doesn’t follow enclosing braces and indentation rules. Because of this, it is known as a beginner-friendly language.

On the other hand, Java has stringent syntax rules where the developers of Java development companies like tatvasoft.com need to type all the variables. 

  1. Game Development

C++ and C# are the two most popular languages for developing gaming apps, where Python and Java can not compete. But, when we talk about Java or Python, it cannot provide as good an experience as C#, but Python can be counted as a game app development language. 

  1. Machine Learning

Python is a language that is easily able to experiment with ML. Many organizations have started schoosing Python for developing machine learning applications. While on the other hand, Java is also considered for machine learning as it has easy debugging and usage characteristics. Java developers can use libraries like Mallet, MOA, Weka, and Deeplearning4j for creating ML-based apps.

Which is the Best? – Python or Java

Both Python and Java are popular programming languages and can develop unique, robust, and user-friendly applications with the latest features. Therefore, there won’t be a lack of resources once you select any of these languages. When you are new to developing, it would be better to go with the Python development service, as it is very easy to use. However, if you want to create an enterprise-level app, then Java development services are the best. This shows that the app development language selection entirely depends on the type of project you are working on.

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Sophia Rodreguaze

@noeticsophia

Sophia is the contributing editor at noeticforce.com. She writes about anything and everything related to technology.

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