Python vs. Java: Uses, Performance, Learning
Python vs. Java: Uses, Performance, Learning
In the world of computer science, there are many programming languages, and no single
language is superior to another. In other words, each language is best suited to solve
certain problems, and in fact there is often no one best language to choose for a given
programming project. For this reason, it is important for students who wish to develop
software or to solve interesting problems through code to have strong computer science
fundamentals that will apply across any programming language.
language is superior to another. In other words, each language is best suited to solve
certain problems, and in fact there is often no one best language to choose for a given
programming project. For this reason, it is important for students who wish to develop
software or to solve interesting problems through code to have strong computer science
fundamentals that will apply across any programming language.
Programming languages tend to share certain characteristics in how they function, for example
in the way they deal with memory usage or how heavily they use objects. Students will start
seeing these patterns as they are exposed to more languages. This article will focus primarily
on Python versus Java, which are two of the most widely used programming languages in the
world. While it is hard to measure exactly the rate at which each programming language is
growing, these are two of the most popular programming languages used in industry
today.
in the way they deal with memory usage or how heavily they use objects. Students will start
seeing these patterns as they are exposed to more languages. This article will focus primarily
on Python versus Java, which are two of the most widely used programming languages in the
world. While it is hard to measure exactly the rate at which each programming language is
growing, these are two of the most popular programming languages used in industry
today.
One major difference between Python and Java is that Python is dynamically typed, while
Java is statically typed. Loosely, this means that Java is much more strict about how variables
are defined and used in code. As a result, Java tends to be more verbose in its syntax,
which is one of the reasons we recommend learning Python before Java for beginners.
For example, here is how you would create a variable named numbers that holds the numbers 0
through 9 in Python:
Java is statically typed. Loosely, this means that Java is much more strict about how variables
are defined and used in code. As a result, Java tends to be more verbose in its syntax,
which is one of the reasons we recommend learning Python before Java for beginners.
For example, here is how you would create a variable named numbers that holds the numbers 0
through 9 in Python:
numbers = []
for i in range(10):
numbers.append(i)
Here's how you would do the same thing in Java:
ArrayList numbers = new ArrayList();
for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
numbers.add(i);
}
Another major difference is that Java generally runs programs more quickly than Python, as it is
a compiled language. This means that before a program is actually run, the compiler translates
the Java code into machine-level code. By contrast, Python is an interpreted language, meaning
there is no compile step.
a compiled language. This means that before a program is actually run, the compiler translates
the Java code into machine-level code. By contrast, Python is an interpreted language, meaning
there is no compile step.
Usage and Practicality
Historically, Java has been the more popular language in part due to its lengthy legacy. However,
Python is rapidly gaining ground. According to Github’s State of the Octoberst Report, it has
recently surpassed Java as the most widely used programming language. As per the 2018
developer survey, Python is now the fastest-growing computer programing language.
Python is rapidly gaining ground. According to Github’s State of the Octoberst Report, it has
recently surpassed Java as the most widely used programming language. As per the 2018
developer survey, Python is now the fastest-growing computer programing language.
Both Python and Java have large communities of developers to answer questions on websites like
Stack Overflow. As you can see from Stack Overflow trends, Python surpassed Java in
terms the percentage of questions asked about it on Stack Overflow in 2017. At the time of
writing, about 13% of the questions on Stack Overflow are tagged with Python, while about 8%
are tagged with Java!
Stack Overflow. As you can see from Stack Overflow trends, Python surpassed Java in
terms the percentage of questions asked about it on Stack Overflow in 2017. At the time of
writing, about 13% of the questions on Stack Overflow are tagged with Python, while about 8%
are tagged with Java!
Web Development
Python and Java can both be used for backend web development. Typically developers will
use the Django and Flask frameworks for Python and Spring for Java. Python is known for its
code readability, meaning Python code is clean, readable, and concise. Python also has a large,
comprehensive set of modules, packages, and libraries that exist beyond its standard library,
developed by the community of Python enthusiasts. Java has a similar ecosystem, although
perhaps to a lesser extent.
use the Django and Flask frameworks for Python and Spring for Java. Python is known for its
code readability, meaning Python code is clean, readable, and concise. Python also has a large,
comprehensive set of modules, packages, and libraries that exist beyond its standard library,
developed by the community of Python enthusiasts. Java has a similar ecosystem, although
perhaps to a lesser extent.
Mobile App Development
In terms of mobile app development, Java dominates the field, as it is the primary langauge
used for building Android apps and games. Thanks to the aforementioned tailored libraries,
developers have the option to write Android apps by leveraging robust frameworks and
development tools built specifically for the operating system. Currently, Python is not used
commonly for mobile development, although there are tools like Kivy and BeeWare that allow you
to write code once and deploy apps across Windows, OS X, iOS, and Android.
used for building Android apps and games. Thanks to the aforementioned tailored libraries,
developers have the option to write Android apps by leveraging robust frameworks and
development tools built specifically for the operating system. Currently, Python is not used
commonly for mobile development, although there are tools like Kivy and BeeWare that allow you
to write code once and deploy apps across Windows, OS X, iOS, and Android.
Machine Learning and Big Data
Conversely, in the world of machine learning and data science, Python is the most popular
language. Python is often used for big data, scientific computing, and artificial intelligence (A.I.)
projects. The vast majority of data scientists and machine learning programmers opt for
Python over Java while working on projects that involve sentiment analysis. At the same
time, it is important to note that many machine learning programmers may choose to use Java
while they work on projects related to network security, cyber attack prevention, and fraud
detection.
language. Python is often used for big data, scientific computing, and artificial intelligence (A.I.)
projects. The vast majority of data scientists and machine learning programmers opt for
Python over Java while working on projects that involve sentiment analysis. At the same
time, it is important to note that many machine learning programmers may choose to use Java
while they work on projects related to network security, cyber attack prevention, and fraud
detection.
Where to Start
When it comes to learning the foundations of programming, many studies have concluded that
it is easier to learn Python over Java, due to Python's simple and intuitive syntax, as seen in the
earlier example. Java programs often have more boilerplate code - sections of code that have to
be included in many places with little or no alteration - than Python. That being said, there are
some notable advantages to Java, in particular its speed as a compiled language. Learning both
Python and Java will give students exposure to two languages that lay their foundation on
similar computer science concepts, yet differ in educational ways.
it is easier to learn Python over Java, due to Python's simple and intuitive syntax, as seen in the
earlier example. Java programs often have more boilerplate code - sections of code that have to
be included in many places with little or no alteration - than Python. That being said, there are
some notable advantages to Java, in particular its speed as a compiled language. Learning both
Python and Java will give students exposure to two languages that lay their foundation on
similar computer science concepts, yet differ in educational ways.
Overall, it is clear that both Python and Java are powerful programming languages in practice, and
it would be advisable for any aspiring software developer to learn both languages proficiently.
Programmers should compare Python and Java based on the specific needs of each software
development project, as opposed to simply learning the one language that they prefer. In short,
neither language is superior to another, and programmers should aim to have both in their
coding experience.
it would be advisable for any aspiring software developer to learn both languages proficiently.
Programmers should compare Python and Java based on the specific needs of each software
development project, as opposed to simply learning the one language that they prefer. In short,
neither language is superior to another, and programmers should aim to have both in their
coding experience.
