Which is Better Java or Python
Java and Python are the two most popular programming languages. Both are high-level, general-purpose, widely used programming languages. At present, developers use Java programming language to develop web and desktop applications. While Python is used to develop machine learning applications and data science. It is difficult to select between the two. In this section, we will compare which programming language is better Java or Python.
Java
Java is an object-oriented language like C++. But its advanced and simplified features differentiate it from C++. It is free to access. It is a concurrent, class-based, independent language. Java is the best-suited language to develop the following types of applications:
- Enterprise Solutions
- Desktop Application
- Embedded Systems
- Middleware Applications
Python
Python is a high-level, object-oriented programming language. It reduces the line of code that also minimizes the cost of product maintenance. We use the Python programming language to develop the following types of applications:
- Machine Learning Application
- Operating System
- Language Development
- Games
- Prototyping
- Image Processing
Java Vs. Python
Python is an interpreted, dynamically-typed programming language. It means, there is no need to declare variables. While Java is compiled and statically-typed language means, it is mandatory to declare variables, explicitly.
In Python, syntaxes are elegant that make python more productive, and allows us to develop applications, rapidly. While in Java, syntaxes are complex, lengthy, and hard to remember. Another reason that makes Python more productive is that it is much shorter than Java.
In Java, the implementation of code must be inside the class. While in Python, we simply start writing code.
| Dimensions | Java | Python |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Faster | Slower |
| Learning curve | Difficult to learn | Easy to learn |
| Typing | Statically-typed | Dynamically-typed |
| Verbosity | Verbose | Concise |
| Compiled/ Interpreted | Compiled | Interpreted |
| Object-oriented/ Scripting Language | Object-oriented Language | Scripting Language |
| Cross-Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Syntax | Difficult to read and remember | Easy to read and remember |
| Best for | Enterprise, Embedded and Cross-platform application | Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Machine Learning |
| Line of Code | More line of code | Less line of code |
| Program Example | public class Simple { public static void main(String args[]) { System.out.println("Hello Java"); } } | print("Hello Java") |
Comparison Parameters
Java and Python languages have some similarities and differences that puzzle us to select one out of the two. Let’s compare both programming languages on the basis of the following factors and see which one is better.
Performance
Java is a statically-typed programming language that makes compilation easier in contrast to Python. The JVM speed up the execution of code through JIT. The advantage of JIT is that it converts byte code to native machine code more quickly.
On the other hand, Python developers accelerated code execution through several implementations of programming language. The tools used by developers to accelerate execution are Jython (compiles the python code into Java bytecode), Cython (compiles the python code into C and C++). It is also used to optimize the execution speed of python applications.
Code Readability
The code must be in a readable format so that the other programmer can easily understand the code. Therefore, Java and Python both emphasizes code readability, explicitly. Many developers prefer Python to keep code concise and avoid additional code that makes the application maintenance easy.
While in Java, developers have extra time and lots of effort to develop applications. Because each new version of Java comes with extra features that make the development easy by structuring the software applications with modules. The modules are further designed as a collection of code. Hence, the developers have extra time to understand these new features that is a time-consuming process.
Standard Library
Python provides a very large comprehensive standard library. The library saves the programmer efforts and also saves time. The developer has an option to choose over 130000 (approx.) libraries that can be chosen for different purposes. The python package contains text processing, image processing, web and testing frameworks, etc.
Java also provides libraries but according to the developer’s specific needs. Since python is rich in library in comparison to Java.
Learning Curve
The easy, simple, and expressive syntax makes Python easier for beginners to start writing code. In python, we need not to declare variables before use. It detects its type automatically. Hence the learning curve of python is easy.
On the other hand, Java forces us to write some additional code to express concepts and accomplish common tasks. In Java, we cannot use a variable without declaring its type. But many beginners opt for Java to develop web and mobile applications.
Popularity
In 2018, a survey was conducted by Stackoveer which revealed that python is the fastest-growing programming language after C++. After introducing the JavaScript, both the languages fought for popularity. While Java reflected as a popular choice by many programmers.
Syntax
The syntax in Python is simple and easy to learn. While in Java syntaxes are complex, large, and hard to remember.
Conclusion
We have compared Java and Python against various parameters. But it is difficult to say which is better. The selection of the language depends upon the type of application a programmer wants to create. Analyze your program, requirements, select a language, and go ahead with that language. If you are a raw handed in programming, Python may be a good choice. Nevertheless, if you also want to learn the Java programming language, it will be good if you have basic knowledge of object-oriented programming C++.
The future of the Python language is very bright. So, we suggest you to start putting your hands-on Python. It is an easy and interesting programming language.