Java vs Python: A Comparison of Two Programming Languages

Python is comparatively slower than Java because it’s an interpreted language. The early 2010s were Python’s golden years when it started gaining prominence as a cross-platform language across Windows and Microsoft.

Yet, Python hasn’t been as successful in developing mobile applications as Java. Hence, Java soon became the preferred choice due to its object-oriented, cross-platform, and easy-to-learn nature.

However, even though Java had a successful debut in its path to success, is not as easy to learn as Python. For the same reason, Python has maintained its first-place position in the TIOBE Index for two straight years, while Java shifted to fourth place.

What is Java?

Java is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and later acquired by Oracle in 1995. The intention behind developing Java was to “write once, run anywhere” (WORA).

Java can run on any Java Virtual Machine (JVM) as it is compiled using bytecode and statically typed. Since it doesn’t need to be compiled to a specific platform machine, it’s platform-independent.

Java’s syntax is similar to C++ and C but has fewer lower-level facilities. It has emerged as a popular choice in the Java vs Python debate for web development due to its efficiency in handling asynchronous programming, Desktop GUIs, enterprise solutions, and embedded systems.

What is Python?

Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language that focuses on code readability. It was developed and released by Guido Van Rossum in 1991 and later became part of the Python Software Foundation.

Developers find working with Python easy because it allows them to express their concepts in fewer lines of code. With its dynamic typing and vast network of libraries, Python has become a preferred option between Java and Python to bridge the gap between low-level and high-level programming languages.

It continues to dominate in the current data-intensive era, where organizations are seeking Python development services for enterprise web applications, big data analysis, and artificial intelligence.

Detailed Comparision: Java Vs Python

Java code can run on any application and is easier to port and execute on any platform. On the other hand, Python is simpler and accelerates the development process, enabling easy prototype building.

The dynamics of both languages exhibit notable differences in scenarios where speed is a critical factor for developing a project. Other differences range from creating arrays to making code run efficiently. Let’s discuss these differences in detail:

Code Example Java and Python

Python and Java both have an extremely different approach to developing modern applications. Python has dynamic typing as compared to Java’s static typing. The most significant difference in both of these types is how developers write, design, and troubleshoot problems in code.

Let’s understand the difference between their syntax through an example of code:

• Python

Python doesn’t require developers to input variables since they are input during runtime. Hence, Python is clear, uncomplicated, user-friendly, and intuitive as it eliminates the enclosed brackets and replaces them with indents.

The code below shows how Python requires only two lines of code when compared to taking ten lines of code from a file in Java.
Demo= [“I am a Designer”, 8]

For i in Demo:

Print (i)
Source

Dynamic typing in Python allows developers to define a variable at runtime, saving them the need to specify the variable’s data type when declaring it.

• Java

Java requires developers to type in all the variables due to a rigorous syntax. So, if an error occurs in the code, the program might not run, making it complicated for beginners. Developers would need to input code lines inside the curly brackets to execute a code block.

Here’s an example of code lines in Java.

Public class Demo{

Public static void main (string args [ ]) {

String array [ ] = {“I am a Designer”, “6”};

For (String I : array ){

Systm.out.println(i);

}

}

}

Since Java has static typing, developers have to determine the variable while compiling. It compels developers to specify the data type of a variable when declaring.

When Should I Use Java over Python?

Java is a highly efficient programming language with powerful memory management. With extensive library support, Java is ideal for web applications. It can seamlessly work with frameworks like Servlet API, JDBC API, and Java Enterprise Edition (JEE).

Here are some ideal use cases where you should use Java over Python for development:

Java vs Python: Finally, Which is Better?

For a long time, Python’s rival was another general-purpose programming language, Perl. As time evolved, Python grew in importance, becoming a niche language for a very narrow set of applications.

An early riser in setting its path to success, Java gained support from powerful companies like Sun Microsystems and Oracle.

Python’s power lies in its ability to adapt to the current market needs of working with Big Data with its unbeatable ML tools.

Python’s text-to-image generation and chatbot development in AI, such as DALL-E and Google’s LaMDA, have made other languages, especially Java, struggle to compete.

With the release of Python 3.11, it’s set to break all its speed barriers by predicting the types and values, offering a 10-60% increase.

However, multithreading still remains an issue with its Global Interpreter Lock (GIL). Compared to Java, multithreading is easier in Java, where developers can work on multiple tasks at the same time.

Python’s shorter syntax, an ecosystem of over 2,00,000 packages, and competing JDKs give it an edge over Java’s limited repositories and tedious code writing.

Python has passed the test of time from the era when proprietary code existed more than open-source code. In the current age, where more than 80% of code is open-sourced, decentralized, and needs speed, Java feels outdated compared to Python.

Wrapping Up

The battle between the two top programming languages is never-ending. Both Java vs Python have left no stone unturned in providing developers with ease of use. Choosing a language will still depend on the unique project requirements.

However, Java might not enjoy the same predominance that it once had. With Python’s dynamic code typing and no brackets or semicolons, it remains an extremely beginner-friendly language even after being introduced years ago. With AI and ML increasingly becoming necessary for startups and enterprises, Python offers more simplicity even with a slower launch.