In an era where every service comes with a need for app development, it’s pretty hard to select the right programming Language for your needs. In fact, tech giants like Google, Instagram, and Netflix still use Java vs Python for app development.
Regardless to say, both languages are highly efficient and help build stunning apps with interactive interfaces and add-on features. Both, Python and Java for app development are relatively standard for web APIs, data science, machine learning, app development, artificial intelligence, and more. But, one thing that is the most challenging is choosing the best language for app development.
All About Python
To be straightforward, Python is a high-level, object-oriented programming language that uses dynamic semantics similar to the English language. It comes with features like built-in data structures, dynamic binding, and dynamic semantics. Acting as a popular choice for Rapid Application Development (RAD), Python is simple, offers a reduced cost of programming maintenance, and comes with features like easy-to-learn syntax for better readability.
Here’s what you need to know about the language:
Features
- A general-purpose language with dynamic semantics that resembles the English language.
- Offers benefits like in-built data structures, dynamic binding, and dynamic typing, making it a perfect option for Rapid App Development (RAD).
- Used for deep learning, machine learning, and AI field.
- Makes complicated programming easy.
- Easy to code and debug.
- Unlike Java, C++, and C, the syntaxes in Python are extremely easy to understand.
- Every different function has a separate code thread.
- Supports functional programming and object-oriented features.
- Can run on different OS
- Offers a diverse collection of in-built libraries for images, documents and browsers.
- Has free in-built libraries
Key Characteristics
- Companies that use Python: Dropbox, Netflix, Google, YouTube, Uber and Pinterest
- Preferred for: Language development, operating systems, machine learning apps, games, graphic design, and image processing and prototyping.
- Code: No semicolons needed, small lines.
- Syntax: Indentation for readability required, braces not needed.
- Dynamic or static: Dynamic
- Portability: Yes
- Easiness: Easier than Java
- Speed: Faster than Java
- Machine learning libraries: Pytorch machine learning library, Tensorflow
- Backend Frameworks: Flask and Django for building apps.
- Engines for game development: Panda3d and Cocos
Merits
Here’s why Python is the best language for app development:
- Python is an open-source language that is freely available and easier to distribute.
- With integrated, high-level object-oriented programming, Python allows developers to work faster and more efficiently.
- Python comes with an easy-to-learn Syntax, making it an excellent option for beginners.
- Python also has a vast community where you can seek advice from other developers.
- Due to its enhanced process control, testing framework and text processing, Python is more productive than Java.
Demerits
While Python comes with a number of benefits, there are still several drawbacks one can not deny. Here are some of the demerits of using Python:
- It is used on fewer platforms.
- High memory consumption.
- Not preferred for app development.
- Comes with several runtime errors and needs more testing.
- Requires a primitive database access layer.
All About Java
Like Python, Java is a class-based, general-purpose, object-oriented programming language, mainly famous for having fewer implementation dependencies. Commonly used for developing applications in laptops, gaming consoles, scientific supercomputers, cell phones, and data centers, Java is secure, fast, and reliable, making it one of the best languages for app development.
Here’s what you need to know about Java:
Features
- Apps developed from Java are highly responsive and interactive.
- It is based on C and C++.
- It is a fully object-oriented language.
- It can run on any platform, thanks to its Java Virtual Machine.
- Java can support multiple open-source libraries.
- The language and code threads built on Java are less prone to errors because the language uses a static-typing syntax.
- It is pretty popular among developers.
- It comes with a multi-threaded environment where developers can perform multiple tasks at the same time.
- It is easier to navigate libraries.
- Developers can make reusable codes and standard programs.
Key Characteristics
- Companies that use Java: Airbnb, Spotify, Pinterest, Cash App and Twitter.
- Best for: web app services, mobile applications, big-scale enterprise solutions, Desktop GUI apps and embedded systems.
- Code: Operators, lengthy lines and blocks.
- Syntax: Semicolons are required at the end of lines, and the whole programming requires blocks in curvy braces.
- Portability: Due to JVM, Java can be used on any platform.
- Speed: Slower than Python.
- Easiness: Difficult than Python.
- Backend frameworks: Blade and Spring
- Libraries for machine learning: Mallet, Weka, Deeplearning4j, MOA
- Engines for game development: JMonkeyEngine
Merits
Here’s why Java is the best language for app development:
- Java is highly accessible and can be integrated from one device to another easily.
- With Java, developers get to compile a single program and use the same on another platform by utilizing the bytecode generated by the Java compiler.
- Java can help developers detect errors at an early stage.
- Using an object-oriented approach, developers can use old code threads anywhere.
- Java comes with a multithreaded programming feature that allows the developers to use one program to perform several other tasks at the same time.
Demerits
Here are the main disadvantages of using Java:
- It may not be the best choice for beginners. Java usually requires a higher level of programming language learning.
- The JIT compiler can make the program slow.
- Java requires higher memory
- In case the garbage collection runs, it affects the performance of the program.
To find out more about which language is best for app development, here is a descriptive analysis of both languages.
Python vs Java, are extensively used as general-purpose programming languages. According to the latest TIOBE Programming Community Index, Java is more popular among 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 dedicated java developers in building software applications that can be implemented with minimal dependencies. Whereas Python is the only programming language with a design philosophy that emphasized code readability.
Hence, it is essential for programmers to understand the main differences between Python and Java.
Python vs Java: Detailed Comparison
Types of Programming Language
Both Python and Java come 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 several implementations of programming languages.
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 vs 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 languages, 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 a 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 an 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 languages with large, vibrant communities that 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.
Read Also: PHP or Python: Which Language to Choose for Server-Side Development?
Common Difference Between Python And Java
| Aspect | Python | Java |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | An interpreted, high-level programming language with dynamic semantics. | A compiled, class-based, object-oriented programming language with static semantics. |
| Syntax | Uses a concise and expressive syntax that is easy to read and write. | Uses a more verbose and formal syntax that can be more difficult to read and write. |
| Learning curve | Has a relatively low learning curve, especially for beginners. | Has a steeper learning curve due to its more complex syntax and concepts. |
| Performance | Generally slower than Java due to its interpreted nature. | Generally faster than Python due to its compiled nature. |
| Memory management | Uses automatic memory management (garbage collection). | Requires manual memory management using pointers and memory allocation. |
| Platform independence | Runs on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices. | Runs on multiple platforms, but requires a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to be installed. |
| Community support | Has a large and active community with a vast selection of libraries and frameworks. | Has a large and active community with a vast selection of libraries and frameworks. |
| Use cases | Well-suited for data analysis, machine learning, and scientific computing. | Well-suited for building large-scale enterprise applications and web services. |
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 a 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 secure.
A combination of highly powerful specialized libraries and flexibility means that Python is the way to go when it comes to a project that is biased toward deep learning, machine learning, data science, and image recognition.
Summing Up
Python and Java are two highly popular programming language which is 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 major concerns. It is best suited for applications that are built and deployed under the MVP model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the main differences between Java and Python?
A: Java and Python are both popular programming languages, but they have some key differences. Java is a compiled language, which means that it is translated into machine code before it is executed. Python is an interpreted language, which means that it is executed line by line. Java is generally considered to be faster than Python, but Python is more flexible and easier to learn.
Q: Which one is better for beginners?
A: Python is often recommended for beginners because it has a more straightforward syntax and is easier to learn than Java. Python also has a large community and many resources available to help new programmers.
Q: Which one is better for web development?
A: Both Java and Python can be used for web development, but Python is often the preferred choice for web scraping, scripting, and building complex web applications. Java is often used for building enterprise web applications and for creating Android apps.
Q: Which one is better for data analysis and machine learning?
A: Python is often recommended for data analysis and machine learning because it has a large number of libraries and frameworks specifically designed for these tasks. Java can also be used for data analysis and machine learning, but it may require more code and more advanced knowledge.
Q: Can Java and Python be used together?
A: Yes, Java and Python can be used together through a process called “Java-Python Interoperability.” This allows Java code to call Python code and vice versa.
Q: Which one has a bigger community and more resources?
A: Python has a larger community and more resources available than Java. Python has a large number of libraries and frameworks available for various tasks, and the community is very active in developing new libraries and tools. Java also has a large community, but it may not be as active as Python.
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