Java vs Python: What are the Key Differences in 2023?
Python and Java are two of the oldest and most revered programming languages. Both languages have sustained in the web development industry for more than 25 years and over time, both have empowered developers with tools to create sleek sites and savvy apps.
Because of their purposefulness and functionalities, they have carved their own niches and have grown in popularity. But once again, the war of languages makes it mandatory to go for only one. The problem is that both languages are good enough to serve the diversified needs of the modern web industry, and that’s what makes the selection process tougher.
But by knowing the differences in their architectural framework, syntax, security, and other technical aspects, developers will be able to make a practical choice, one that serves their and the stakeholder’s purpose to the fullest.
So we are here to help you by giving you the basic yet essential information on both languages so that you can make the decision for yourself.
What is Java?
Java is a class-based, general-purpose, high-level programming language that was created by James Gosling. Its syntax has great similarity with that of C and C++ but consists of fewer low-level facilities. The language is independent of a platform which means that developers can run compiled Java code on any platform without having to recompile it.
This platform independence gives Java its famous feature of WORA, which is Write Once Run Anywhere. It supports multiple programming paradigms including imperative, concurrent, and reflective.
One of the biggest advantages of Java is the provision of dynamic capabilities during the runtime like code modification and reflection, which are mostly absent in the traditional compiled languages.
What is Python?
Like Java, Python too is a general-purpose and high-level programming language, and it also offers support for different programming disciplines including class-based, procedural and functional. Python’s advantage lies in its coding simplicity. It is often said that the codes of Python are as easily readable as the English language.
Python provides developers with an extensive, standard library which makes it easier for developers to write and implement programs and algorithms without many hassles. Perhaps that’s the reason why it is often considered one of the most ideal languages for AI.
Apart from code readability, Python is also known for its indentation, reference counting, and list comprehensions that make for clear and logical coding.
Java vs. Python — The Major Differences
So now that we have an elementary idea about the two languages, let’s take a look at the major differences between the two.
#1 Syntax
Compared to Java, Python has a less complex and comprehensible syntax and is easy to remember and apply. Its easy syntax makes for better code readability. The indentation matters though. Java’s syntax is stricter. This means that you cannot forget even the smallest of things. For instance, if you misplace the curly braces or forget punctuation then your code will throw errors.
#2 Typing
The typing discipline of Java is safe, static and nominative whereas Python has a dynamic, strong, and gradual typing discipline.
#3 Coding
Python certainly takes the limelight on this one as it is loved by developers for fewer lines of coding as compared to Java. For instance, for a simple display message, Python will have a single line of code whereas Java will have four lines of code.
#4 Availability of Frameworks
In this feature, Java has a better ground as it has more frameworks to work with, the most popular ones being Grails, Spring, Play, and Hibernate. Python on the other hand has fewer frameworks to offer to the developers. The most popular Python frameworks are Dash, Django, Flask, and Falcon.
#5 Declaration
Java needs the developers to declare the data type whereas Python doesn’t require any kind of declaration for its variables since it is dynamically typed. This kind of typing is also known as duck typing.
#6 Database Connectivity
Java beats Python in this one as its API called JDBC (Java Database Connectivity) is widely used to connect with database systems. Python’s database accessibility is weaker than Java’s. This might be a reason why large-scale enterprises often prefer Java over Python.
#7 Speed
In terms of speed, Java happens to be faster than Python. This is because Python makes use of an interpreter and the data type is usually determined at the runtime, thereby slowing down the execution of codes.
#8 Practical Dexterity
Practical dexterity refers to the resourcefulness of both these programming languages. Python has always managed to keep itself abreast with the upcoming trends and technologies, which has led to its popularity. For instance, it has been inculcating the DevOps movement for rapid development of apps.
Java on the other hand has been enjoying the refactoring support owing to its static typing, self-memory management, and huge support on different IDEs, and safety systems. All these make Java a more reliable platform to work with.
#9 Portability
In terms of portability, Java turns out to be better than Python as it is easily portable since JVM is obtainable across all platforms.
#10 Learning Curve
It is obvious that mastering Java is tougher than Python owing to the former’s stricter syntax and static typing. In order to become a Java pro, a developer will certainly need to remember all the nitty-gritty, or else it can lead straight to the boulevard of syntactical errors.
Python, however, is easier to learn, but gaining good command over it will also require practical training and experience.
Final Thoughts
After looking through all the points, it won’t be wrong to conclude that both Python and Java have their own pros and cons. While Java is preferred because it is fast, safer, and portable, Python is loved for its simplicity and clarity.
Both languages promise a great future ahead, but while Java holds its stand because of its cool features, Python is gaining pace too because of its scalability and flexibility. But if one has to choose between Java or Python development service, then it truly depends on the software or the application in question.
