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Which Language Is Right For You Between Java and Python?

  • Written By  

  • Published on July 8th, 2023

 

Introduction
 

A key component of computer science, programming languages are necessary for developing a wide range of applications. The two most used programming languages in recent years are Java and Python. Python is less common than Java because Java has been around longer. But because of its ease of use, Python has begun to gain prominence. Due to the vast range of libraries available, both languages are favourites among developers. Which is better for the future, Java or Python, is a common query. Both are well-liked and come with benefits and disadvantages. Python is simple to learn, is simple to program in, and has a sizable library. For making games and apps for mobile devices, Java is more versatile and superior.  Read this post to gain a better grasp of both Java and Python if you need help choosing whether a programming language would be a better fit for your project. Here, we are going to contrast the features they offer to find which is best for your project.

 

What Is Java?

 

The object-oriented language Java is like C++ but it differs from C++ due to its complex simple features. Access to it is cost-free. It is an independent, concurrent, class-based language. The following categories of applications can best be developed with Java:

 

  • Desktop Application
  • Embedded Systems
  • Enterprise Solutions
  • Middleware Applications

 

The coding is straight away translated to machine code when you use compiled programming languages, like Java. Because of this, you have greater control over hardware features like CPU use while the processor operates in an effective way. C and C++, Haskell, Go, and Rust are more instances of compiled languages. In the creation of big data, Android apps, and websites, Java is employed. Also, it has been gaining popularity when used in cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT). Working with Java is helpful when developing microservices and enterprise-level web applications. Java is used by many businesses, including those in the government, insurance, education, and even the healthcare sectors, to create their web applications. NASA, Google, and Microsoft are a few of the well-known companies that use Java today.

 

Java's Benefits

 

One of the main benefits of using Java is its speed and effectiveness. Also, it is recognised as one of the programming languages that is easy to learn. You won't need to spend as much time studying how everything operates as you would with a low-level language because a lot of the procedures of this high-level language run automatically. Depending on how much time you can spend studying and practising, you ought to be able to pick it up faster. The following are extra benefits of using Java:

 

  • Because of the simple syntax, writing it is simple. It uses automatic memory allocation and is less difficult than languages like C++.
  • Since Java runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) platform, it may be used on a variety of operating systems, including Windows, iOS, Unix, and Linux platforms.
  • Because it is object-oriented, you can create classes that contain objects that belong to those classes as well as data and methods, making it a more natural way to develop massive projects. Also, it allows for the reuse of the code and flexibility for simpler troubleshooting.
  • It offers a sizable international community, which is useful if you are learning Java or have any issues.
  • It enables multithreading, allowing you to execute many threads together when using Java. To increase effectiveness and performance, several threads are run together in a shared memory area.
  • Java avoids using explicit pointers, executes code in a virtual machine called a sandbox, employs a byte-code verifier to check for unlawful code, and provides library-level safety besides Java security package and run-time security checks. These features make Java secure. 

 

Java's Limitations

 

It is important to think about Java's shortcomings before deciding if it is the best programming language for you to start with. Java takes a significant amount of memory, far more than Python, which is one of the biggest drawbacks.

 

When the application you're working on no longer accesses an object, trash collection, another method by which Java manages its memory, takes place. It is removed from memory by Java's garbage collector, but other threads must pause while it does so to avoid interrupting its job. The procedure affects how well the application works in general. These are some additional drawbacks:

 

  • It doesn't provide the user any control over garbage collection: You won't be able to manage trash collection using functions like free() or delete() as a programmer.
  • Despite being simple, Java tends to have a lot of words, which results in convoluted and protracted explanations and statements.
  • When used for desktops, it lacks a native appearance: Although Java offers several GUI builders, they aren't ideal for developing complicated desktop UI. When it comes to user interface and experience, Java is less strong on the desktop than it is on mobile. Although there are several GUI builders available, you'll need to put in a lot of work.

 

What Is Python?

 

Python is an advanced object-oriented programming language. It decreases the number of lines of code, which lowers the price of product maintenance. The following categories of apps are created by us using the Python programming language:

 

  • Machine Learning Application
  • Image Processing
  • Operating System
  • Language Development
  • Games
  • Prototyping

 

Python has a more succinct syntax than Java, which makes learning the language and testing programs faster and simpler. Instead of having to build the full program before running it, lines are entered into the terminal as you type. Ruby, PHP, and JavaScript are other instances of interpreted languages. When writing programs, developers can use a range of programming idioms thanks to Python. Because it is so adaptable, you might use it for functional and reflective programming besides object-oriented programming.

 

 

Our Learners Also Read: Python Learning in 2023: The Complete Guide
 

 

Python's Benefits

 

Python's flexibility is hard to match, and because of this, it promotes experimentation. As a result, programmers are prevented from being restricted to only creating one kind of application. One language can be learned and used to create new and unique things.

 

Python is referred to as the most flexible programming language by Computer Weekly, which also notes that "Python will always get the job done well" still the possibility of a better solution for any given issue. Python has other benefits, such as:

 

  • Like Java, Python may be used on a variety of operating systems, including macOS, Windows, and Linux. Even an interpreter made for that platform will do.
  • Python's dynamic typing makes it quick and user-friendly for programming, enabling quick progress. Because each unit of code executes independently, it leverages asynchronous programming to deal with situations and obstacles faster.
  • Its extensive library provides frequent operations and instructions. Also, it provides code that may be applied to a variety of tasks, including CGI, unit testing, and the creation of documentation.
  • Python supports several different programming paradigms and provides a more adaptable approach to programming. This not only makes it perfect for programmers who value flexibility, but it also makes it ideal for start-up businesses that may need to switch strategies.
  • It is open-source and free to download, and because Python is so simple to learn and has one of the biggest and most active communities, you should be able to start writing code in only a few minutes.
  • Productivity may increase as a result of the fact that Python is more concise than Java and has dynamic typing, according to NetGuru. It also includes integration tools and control features that can boost the productivity of apps.

 

Python's Limitations

 

A dynamically typed, interpreted language that is performed line-by-line, Python is one of the simplest and fastest to learn, but it is also slower to execute. Python requires more work to be done while the code is being executed, which makes it less suited for use in applications where speed is important. Although Python is slower than other programming languages, this won't be a problem if speed isn't a critical factor.

 

Other possible drawbacks include:
 

  • If you are working on a multi-threaded CPU-bound program, it will run much slower because Python only allows one thread to run at a time due to the Global Interpreter Lock. Multiprocessing software can be used as a workaround in place of multithreaded software.
  • Python can be used for mobile applications, but you will need to put in a little extra work to find libraries that provide the required infrastructure. Kivy is one example, which enables you to use the same API to develop mobile apps and software that you can use to operate on Raspberry PI, Linux, and Windows.
  • This can cause you problems if you're working on a project where a lot of objects are active in RAM. To lower the amount of memory Python consumes for each object, switching to NumPy would be a good workaround.

 

Java Vs Python

 

Programming languages with dynamic typing include Python. It implies that declaring variables is not necessary. Python has attractive syntaxes that make it more productive and enable quick application development, in contrast to Java, which is built and statically typed. While in Java, syntaxes are intricate, prolix, and difficult to remember. Python is more efficient since it is shorter than Java, which is another factor.

 

Code must be implemented inside of classes in Java. In contrast, we can start writing code in Python, another difference between Java and Python. Python has syntaxes that increase productivity and enable quick application development. While in Java, syntaxes are difficult, prolix, and difficult to remember. Python is more efficient since it is shorter than Java, which is another factor. Code must be implemented inside of classes in Java. In contrast, we can start writing code in Python.

 

Python And Java Difference

 

Parameter

Java

Python

Performance

Faster

Slower

Error Handling

Java has a strong exception-handling system that can manage both verified (compile-time) and unchecked exceptions (runtime) problems. The developers must catch or declare checked exceptions to be fired or immediately fixed, enforcing best practices in error handling.

 

Python does not differentiate between checked and unchecked exceptions when using exceptions for error management. Python generates an error message and terminates when there is a problem. Instead of requiring developers to specify exceptions in advance, the flexible error-handling technique enables them to catch and handle exceptions as needed.

Learning curve

Difficult to learn

Easy to learn

Performance

Python is more difficult to compile than Java since the latter is a statically typed programming language.

 

The JVM speeds up code execution via JIT. JIT has the advantage of converting bytecode into native machine code faster.

 

But, Python programmers sped up the execution of code by using various programming language implementations. Developers use Jython (which converts Python code into Java bytecode) and Cython (which converts Python code into C and C++) to speed up execution. It is also used to enhance the pace at which Python programs run.

 

Typing

Statically-typed

Dynamically-typed

Verbosity

Verbose

Concise

Code Readability

Creating applications in Java requires a lot of work and extra time. As a result of the addition of new capabilities with each Java release, which allows for the modularization of software applications, development is made simple. The modules are also created as a group of lines of code. As a result, the engineers have more time to learn these new functionalities, which is a laborious task.

 

 

For the benefit of the other programmer, the code must be written legibly. As a result, code readability is emphasised in both Java and Python. Many programmers use Python because it allows them to avoid writing unnecessary code and to write code that is concise and easy to maintain.

Compiled/ Interpreted

Compiled

Interpreted

Efficiency and Quickness

Python is an interpreted language, but Java is a compiled language, making Java faster. Java code must be compiled before being executed to ensure that errors are found beforehand. 

In contrast, Python code is executed without being first compiled, which can lead to problems when the program is running.

 

Object-oriented/ Scripting Language

Object-oriented Language

Scripting Language

Management of memory

 

When it comes to memory management, Java beats Python. Objects that are no longer required or have no references are deleted by Java's garbage collector. 

A garbage collector exists in Python as well, but it is not as effective as Java.

Cross-Platform

Yes

Yes

Syntax

Difficult to read and remember

Easy to read and remember

Best for

Enterprise, Embedded and Cross-platform application

Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Machine Learning

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