The Difference Between Python and Java

The Difference Between Python and Java

Programming languages give us a deep insight into the fascinating orb of machine languages. They are the building blocks of every entity that you encounter online. A much needed skill in today's world, learning programming isn't a tough row to hoe. With the abundance of resources online one can delve into the vast expanse of knowledge it has to offer. Python and Java are two such languages that take the cake for its multifaceted benefits. They are the most popular programming languages and are used for developing a wide variety of applications.

What are Python and Java exactly?

Java is a multiplatform, object-oriented, and network-centric, programming language whereas, Python is an object oriented programming language having built in data structures combined with dynamic binding and typing, which makes it an ideal choice for rapid application development.

Some of the popular rivalries include that of Iron Man vs Captain America and Coke vs Pepsi but Java vs Python isn't really comparable to them. Java and Python do share some similarities but also have key differences, typically having different use cases and fan bases. Both of them are very powerful programming languages with a huge array of libraries and swathes of devoted communities.

Key Differences Between Java and Python

Based on the Programming Language - Java is a compiled plus interpreted programming language, wherein a source code is compiled into binary bytecode and finally runs on JVM. Whereas, Python is an interpreted programming language which instantly converts human-readable code into machine- readable code. Generally compiled languages tend to be faster than interpreted ones.

Based on Typing - Java is statically typed and in Python it is dynamically typed. Dynamically typed languages are more succinct than their statically typed counterparts but statically typed have better performance during run time intrinsically due to them not needing type checking.

Based on Popularity - Unfortunately for Java, its reign has ceased as Python undoubtedly took its crown away. In recent years Python has been gaining momentum rapidly due to the facile nature of this language.

Based on Syntax - The coding in Java is a tad bit of work as it has rigorous syntax rules whereas in Python its a smooth sailing as a developer needn't type in every single variable.

Based on Performance - Thanks to Java’s static typing syntax, the compilation is a lot faster and easier than Python’s dynamic typing which isn't always agile regarding compilation in every platform.

Based on Stability - Java exhibits higher stability as everything is reviewed and established prior to running it hence making it more stable and less prone to crashes. On the other hand Python tests the syntax during runtime which leaves more room for errors.

Based on Speed - The simplicity and practicality of python has helped secure its position in the fast development arena of programming languages.Java projects tend to take longer and require a larger development team.

Based on Learning - In Java there's a learning curve with a high entry point and therefore requires you to dedicate some time to it. For Python, it's the best choice for beginners since its syntax is a lot easier to grasp.

Based on Application - Both find wide ranging applications in the online sphere and that is what sets them apart with Java mostly being used in developing web applications and Desktop GUI apps while Python is the undefeated language of scientific and numeric computing.

Python or Java Which is Better?

Honestly there is no right answer to this question. Both serve its purpose admirably and developers worldwide use them based on whichever suits their needs. The Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence ( AI) fad has taken over the world by storm and there's heaps more to come from these tech in near future. Python being central to both ML and AI has found its niche and today most people are working on developing Python enormously. Java is a slightly complex language and requires extensive reviewing on the developers part, therefore making it a highly purposeful language. Although this results in excellent stability and a robust software.

Let us examine some Pros and Cons of Java and Python for a better conclusivity

Assessing some advantages and disadvantages of Java and Python could provide us with a clearer picture of how to go about choosing the best programming language depending on our purpose

Pros of Python -

  • Simple syntax compared to Java
  • Extensive libraries and handy tool for developers
  • It is cross compatible and has auto-installed shell
  • Source code is easy to write debug
  • Portable language that runs on various Operating Systems and platforms
  • Makes complex programming simpler as it internally deals with memory addresses and
  • garbage collection
  • Supports imperative and functional programming
  • Python comes with many pre-built libraries which makes development easy
  • Famous for its use in IoT( Internet of Things)

Cons of Python -

  • Used in fewer platforms
  • Slower than its counterparts
  • Weak in mobile computing hence no app development
  • Being dynamic, more errors during run-time
  • Absence of commercial support

Pros of Java -

  • Detailed documentation is available
  • Large pool of skilled developers available
  • A huge array of third party libraries
  • Allows you to form standard programs and reusable code
  • Allows you to perform many tasks at the same time in the program
  • Easy to navigate libraries

Cons of Java -

  • JIT compiler makes the program comparatively slower
  • It has high memory and processing requirements therefore hardware cost increases
  • It doesn't provide support for low level programming constructs like pointers
  • You do not have any control over garbage collection in Java.

Multilingual for the win

Python is an ideal choice for beginners as the language is more intuitive and its syntax is the closest to the human language of English. Its open source facilitates a slew of new tools that upgrade it. On the other hand, we have Java which is a general purpose programming language that was designed with a specific goal allowing developers to write once and run anywhere.

The point is there is no single best programming language, just the ones that closely meet your needs at any given time for any given project. Ideally, a developer needs to be multilingual in computer languages so that they needn't settle for a particular language that's ill suited for certain goals. Knowing several languages is an asset making it easier to adapt to the wide ranging challenges faced in the tech industry.