Python vs. Java: A Programming Language Comparison

JAVA and Python are one of the most popular programming languages around the globe. The two languages are in a constant war over top positions, swapping positions every few months. But what are the benefits of Python over Java and vice versa? Who wins the bout in a python vs java performance game?

As we move ahead, the article will cover the features, utility, respective disadvantages and differences between Python and Java.

What is Java?

Java is an object-oriented, multi-platform and network-centric, programming language. First released in 1995 by Sun Microsystem, it is also used as a computing platform. It’s a general-purpose language that is used frequently for desktop computing, mobile computing, games, and numerical analysis. It has now been acquired by Oracle 

Corporation. 

Features of Java

• Designed for building object-oriented applications.
• Writing codes that can run on any device and platform.
• It is a multithreaded language with automatic memory management.

Read More: What does the Future of Java Web Development look like in 2022?

Why need Java?

• Excellent performance.

• A large group of developers are available .

• Easy to navigate libraries in Java.

• The multi-threaded environment allows the performance of multiple tasks at the same time.
• It has the provision to form standard programs and reusable code .

Disadvantages of Java

Here are the disadvantage/drawback of Java -

• The JIT compiler makes the programming reliably slow.
• It has no support for low-level programming constructs like pointers.
• The high memory and processing requirements increase the hardware cost.
• No control over garbage collection since Java does not offer functions like delete and free.

What is Python?

Python was developed by Guido van Rossum in 1991. It is a high-level general-purpose programming language. It was designed while keeping in mind the philosophy of making code easier to read than alternative languages, with the use of significant indentation. Python is most commonly used for data analytics and machine learning.

Features of Python

• Easy to learn, read and maintain.
• Python offers support for automatic garbage collection.
• It can run on various hardware platforms and use the same interface.
• Python language can be integrated with Java, C, and C++ programming code.

Why need Python?

• It has a simple syntax as compared to Java, C and C++.

• Python is cross-compatible.

• Python offers database interfaces to all major commercial DBMS systems.
• Python has pre-built libraries which makes coding easy for developers.

Read More: Top 10 real-world Python Use Cases and Applications

Disadvantages of Python

Here are the disadvantage/drawback of Python -

• Not used much in application development since it is weak in mobile computing

• Absence of commercial support

• Underdeveloped primitive database access layer
• Since it is interpreted, it is a little slower

Comparison between JAVA and Python:  Java or Python

Java and Python both have been at war for the top spot. Python has been continuously refining itself, while Java is already used in many noteworthy establishments. As per statistics on w3techs.com, Java is used by 3.9% of all the websites whose server-side programming language we know. While only 1.3% use Python. 

Both languages do their jobs well and have many similarities too. They have sturdy cross-platform support and extensive standard libraries. They both treat everything as objects. At the same time, there are certain differences between Java and Python that differentiate them. 

Parameters	Java	Python
Language	It can be interpreted both as compiled and interpreted language since its source code is compiled into binary bytecode, which in turn runs on the JVM	Python is an interpreted language that can instantly convert human-readable code into machine- readable code
Performance	Java is distinguished by static-typing syntax. The compilation is faster and easier than dynamic-typed syntax. Java also comes with a Just-in-Time (JIT) compiler which increases the speed and efficiency.	The code is processed during the runtime and this is when the variables are considered. Therefore, any problem with the code can keep the application on hold. All this reduces the speed of the programme.
Multiple Inheritances	Multiple inheritances are partially done through interfaces	It offers both single and multiple interfaces
Braces vs. Indentation	Java uses curly braces to define the beginning and the end of each function and class definition	Indentations are used in Python to separate code into separate blocks
Portability	All devices that can run Java Virtual Machine (JVM) are capable of running Java application	Python programs require an interpreter installed on the machine to translate the code. This makes the language less portable
Application	Java development services us it in multiple sectors such as web application development, desktop GUI apps, enterprise solutions, mobile application and games, embedded systems, etc	Python is used by software development company for working on machine learning applications, image processing, etc.  Developers also utilize python for web development. Its many frameworks like Django, have powered many famous sites like Spotify, Mozilla, etc
Architecture	Java Virtual Machine (JVM) ensures a runtime environment to execute the code and convert bytecode into machine learning	The interpreter translates source code into machine autonomous bytecode
Learning	It takes longer to learn Java. There is a learning curve with a high entry point	Since the syntax is fairly easy and clear, it is a suitable choice for beginners
Python vs java Automation	Because of a verbose coding style of Java, it is not much used in the field of automation	Python has a little edge over Java in automation. Most jobs in AI and automation prefer Python over Java
Salaries	As per Edureka, the average salary for a Java developer in the beginning is around Rs. 25000 which is lesser than beginner level Python developers. However, Java professionals with tenure still get paid better the Python developers	As per Edureka, the average salary for a Python developer, in the beginning, is above Rs. 30000 which is more than beginner level java developers. However, Java professionals with tenure above 6 years still get paid better the Python developers

Read More: Agile Software Development in Python: What to know in 2022

Conclusion: Java or Python, Which is Better for Future

After comparing both the languages, it is difficult to give a straight verdict about which trumps the other one and which has a stronger future.

While Python is ideal for beginners it is widely used by people even outside the development industry. Similarly, Java is a general-purpose programming language that is faster but a bit more complex. Python programs are shorter as compared to Java codes due to Python’s dynamic typing as well as the built-in high-level data types. However, Java has a faster runtime and easy debugging. Both languages have a lot of contrasts that drive developers on both sides. Java has consistently had enormous corporate support, while Python is gradually growing.

At last, we can say that both languages provide many advantages that together they can make an outstanding blend. They both have a vast network and libraries to perform any programming task. So, eventually, it depends on the type of the application you might want to develop. If a particular language seems to meet most of your requisites, then it’s safe to go ahead with it. Both languages are relevant in the future. However, if you are a beginner, Python may still be a better choice for you in the future as well.