Java Vs Python - Comprehensive Comparison Guide

Java has been an advanced programming language since its inception, but with new technologies entering the market and new programming languages becoming more viable, it appears to be losing favor in terms of highly used programming languages. Python is one such programming language. Both Java and Python are high-level programming languages because they can be read and written easily by humans.

In this article we'll explore Java vs Python in detail.

What is Java?

Oracle designed Java in 1995 as a high-level, class-based, object-oriented programming language. One of the primary goals in developing Java is to build a language that could handle most of the things that C++ offered while eliminating some of the more time-consuming jobs that came with prior languages.

Java is a platform-independent programming language. We can develop Java code on one platform and execute it on another also, it aids in the reusability of code. It is a powerful general-purpose programming language with several uses. It is extensively used in mobile and desktop applications, big data processing, embedded systems, and many other applications.

Features of Java

The main reason for creating Java was that the previously used C++ was a bit cumbersome and unsuitable for client-server applications. Java has a number of appealing features that attract many people to begin coding with it, some of them are:

• Simple: Java simplifies programming by eliminating complexities like pointers and operator overloading.
• Object-oriented: Java treats everything as objects with state and behaviour.
• Dynamic: Java's bytecode allows for dynamic memory allocation, reducing waste.
• Distributed: Java supports Remote Method Invocation (RMI) for developing distributed applications.
• Multithreaded: Java enables multiple execution threads for concurrent programming.
• Easy to Learn: Java features a straightforward syntax and a vast developer community.

Example

Let's see a simple Java program that finds the sum of two integers and prints the answer. Here's the Java code:

Code

Output

What is Python?

Python was created in 1991 by Guido van Rossum, and it is a high-level interpreted general-purpose programming language. It was designed to make code more understandable than in other languages, and it makes great use of indentation. It is most typically used for data analytics and machine learning, although it has many other applications.

Rather than learning strict syntactic limitations, Python reads like English and is simple for a new programmer to grasp. This enables you to gain a basic understanding of coding principles without concentrating on little details that are often critical in other languages.

Features of Python

Python is a slow programming language because python code is interpreted rather than compiled to native code during runtime. However, its popularity continues to rise since it can achieve higher productivity with less code, making Python one of the most widely used programming languages. Python has a variety of features that attract everyone to begin coding with it, some of them are:

• Simplicity: Python's syntax promotes simplicity, enabling complex problem-solving with fewer lines of code through understanding of indentations.
• Free and Open Source: Python is freely available for use and modification, supporting customization without repercussions.
• Portability: Python code is highly portable, requiring no modifications to run across different platforms (e.g., from Windows to Linux, Unix, or Mac), facilitating collaborative projects.
• Embedding Properties: Python supports embedding of code from other languages, such as C and C++, allowing for versatile integration.

Example

Let's see the simple Python program that finds the sum of two integers and prints the answer:

Code

Output

Key Difference Between Java and Python

The main difference between Java and Python is that Java is a compiled and statically typed language, while Python is an interpreted and dynamically typed language.

This means that Java programs are converted into machine code before they are executed, while Python programs are executed one line at a time. Static typing means that the type of each variable is known at compile time, while dynamic typing means that the type of each variable is not known until runtime.

Java Vs Python: Detailed Comparison

One of the current hot topics of these times is which programming language is superior, Java or Python.  The following information will help you determine which choice is superior and why.

Advantages of Java

1. Platform Independence: Java's bytecode translation ensures compatibility across multiple platforms, enhancing portability.
2. Security: Java's use of bytecode, absence of explicit pointers, and sandboxed execution contribute to its high security.
3. Robustness: Features like automatic garbage collection, exception handling, and avoidance of explicit pointers make Java reliable.
4. Comprehensive Library Support: Java's extensive libraries provide robust support for various tasks, highlighting its power as a programming language.

Disadvantages of Using Java

1. Higher Memory Usage: Java applications generally require more RAM due to reliance on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
2. Garbage Collection: Java's automatic garbage collection cannot be manually controlled, limiting programmers' management of memory.
3. Increased Hardware Costs: The need for a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and JVM elevates memory requirements, thus raising hardware expenses.
4. Lack of Low-level Programming: Java's abstraction from low-level operations restricts direct system-level resource access.
5. Limited GUI Flexibility: Despite having GUI frameworks like Swing and JavaFX, Java struggles with creating complex user interfaces, often leading to inconsistencies.
6. Verbosity and Complexity: Java's emphasis on safety and robustness can result in verbose and complex code, posing challenges for beginners.

Advantages of Python

1. Versatile: Python excels in various fields like web development, data analysis, and machine learning, suitable for projects of any complexity.
2. Library Support: With extensive libraries and an active community, Python speeds up development and problem-solving.
3. Productivity: The language's simplicity boosts productivity by allowing developers to work more on solving complex problems than on learning syntax.
4. Powerful: Python's comprehensive library ecosystem supports a broad array of activities, highlighting its strength and versatility.

Learn in detail about the advantages of Python here.

Disadvantages of Using Python

1. Speed: Python's interpretation slows it down compared to compiled languages like C/C++ or Java, as it runs line by line.
2. Runtime Errors: Python's runtime type checking necessitates extensive testing, with potential errors remaining undetected until execution.
3. Mobile Development: Python falls short in mobile app development due to a lack of comprehensive mobile development features.
4. Memory Consumption: Python's applications are heavy on RAM, making it less suitable for memory-intensive tasks.
5. Database Access: Compared to JDBC and ODBC, Python's database access layer is considered immature and underdeveloped.
6. Multithreading Support: The absence of built-in multithreading support complicates the development of Python programs utilizing multiple cores or processors.

Learn in-detail about what is python.

Read More

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