PYTHON VS JAVA-Which Language to Choose for your Application?

Both Python and Java are extensively used as general-purpose programming languages. According to the latest TIOBE Programming Community Index, Java is more popular amongst the developers. At present, developers use Java and Python for developing a wide variety of desktop and web applications. Both programming languages are widely used for data science and machine learning.

However, unlike Python, Java is one of the two official programming languages for Android. Java was designed to help developers in building software applications that can be implemented with minimal dependencies, whereas Python is the only programming language with design philosophy emphasized on code readability. Hence, it is essential for programmers to understand the main differences between Java and Python.

Comparing The Two Languages: Python vs Java

Types of Programming Language

Both Python and Java comes under the category of high-level programming languages. However, Python is an interpreted programming language. Developers who work on Python are obliged to use operating system specific Python interpreters to execute the Python code directly. They can even choose from the several implementations of programming language.

In contrast to this, Java is a compiled programming language. Java code is initially compiled into bytecode that runs on any platform with Java Virtual Machine. The developers can port the compiled Java code from one platform to another seamlessly.

Developer Productivity

One of the most important differences between Java and Python is that Java is statically typed whereas Python is dynamically typed. This means that in Python, it is not necessary to write declare the type of a variable when writing code. Python is known for being short and readable. It allows the developer to do some things with just a few lines of code.

Being dynamically typed and concise, it is easy to develop applications in Python swiftly than in Java. People claim that the developer can be up to 10 times more productive while writing code in Python. Despite this, Java is less prone to bugs than Python owing to its static type system.

Python and Java, both the language, offer an efficiency boost with a wide variety of web development frameworks such as Spring and Django. This enables developers to quickly build everything whether it is a small web app or high traffic application.

Speed

Java has compiled language whereas Python is interpreted. This means that if speed is what you want from your project, then neither of the languages stands to fulfill your goal. However, Java has the edge in most environments.

But, speed is a relative factor. If Python’s speed makes it undesirable language, the other benefits, such as the rapid development process can outweigh this negative point.

It is important to note here that it is possible to achieve C-like performance with the use of Cython, a popularly used superset of Python for machine learning algorithms.

Community and Library Support

Python and Java, both are open-source language with a large, vibrant community which contribute to the languages and offer huge support.

Both languages come with an extensive array of libraries, which are supported by a large number of skilled developers. If you are not able to do something within the language itself, you will surely find a library for it.

How to find the best language for your application?

While Python and Java share many similarities and have a diverse range of uses, it would be wrong to say that they suit equally for any type of project. In addition to comparing the general pros and cons of each language, it is also important to consider the specific needs of your application to make sure you choose the best language.

Speed and Budget

Python is a highly preferred language when the speed of development and budget are primary concerns to your project. Python is dynamically typed, and along with this, it also has concise code and myriad of frameworks available which aids in building and deploying the application in record time. Apart from this, it also has the benefit of lowering development costs.

This is particularly valuable when you want to release an app under the MVP model or build and test prototypes.

Mobile Development

One of the major drawbacks of Python is that it is not native to the mobile environment. Neither of the major mobile platforms, such as Android and iOS, supports Python as an official programming language. No doubt, an application can be developed in Python; however, it will require more effort on the part of the developer to deliver a rich user experience.

Java, on the other hand, is one of the preferred languages, when it comes to Android app development.

Security

For developing applications, which is needed to be highly secure, Java is a preferred language. Although an experienced and skilled programmer can develop a very secure app in Python, Java is widely used for banking and other such web applications due to its strength in security and functionality. Java includes access to security features such as access control, advanced authentication and cryptography that keeps your web application is secure.

Machine Learning

A combination of highly powerful specialized libraries and flexibility means that Python is the way to go when it comes to the project that is biased towards deep learning, machine learning, data science and image recognition.

Summing Up

Python and Java are two highly popular programming language which are similar in many ways. However, that does not mean that both equal suits for every project. Weigh the pros and cons of each language, match its strength, then select the best language for your app.

Python stands out when it comes to developer productivity as it enables the rapid development of applications. Java has the edge when it comes to speed. And, both languages benefit from active and supportive developer communities, as well as a huge array of libraries.

In terms of ideal use cases, Java is better suited for mobile app development, being one of the preferred programming languages for Android. It is a highly regarded language for banking applications where security is a major concern. Python is perfect for projects where budget and speed of development are a major concerns. It is best suited for applications that are built and deployed under the MVP model.

Originally published at https://graffersid.com on February 14, 2020.

📝 Save this story in Journal.

👩‍💻 Wake up every Sunday morning to the week’s most noteworthy stories in Tech waiting in your inbox. Read the Noteworthy in Tech newsletter.