We’ve all heard the famous saying, “Everyone has their own preferences.” However, when it comes to making a professional decision, this statement loses its significance. It becomes more difficult for someone to make an optimal selection between two technologies, such as Python and Java.
Both Python and Java are used across various industries to build applications, websites, and software solutions that solve some of the biggest problems in the world.
For example, Python is used by Google’s YouTube team to manage and provision millions of videos without any problem. Java also helped Netflix launch its streaming service.
Moreover, thousands of other companies use both languages for their projects, so it can be pretty tricky to identify which technology suits you best. Is Java more reliable than Python? Or is it the other way around? Well, the answer depends on several factors.
Therefore, this article will help you understand all the key differences between Python vs. Java so that you can create a more accurate comparison. Here’s what we’ll cover:
Java Overview: What Does Java Do?
In 1991, James Gosling launched the Java project as “Oak,” which became the first language version in 1995. The final release was established under the name “Java” in 1996.
Java is a high-level programming language comparable to C++, yet it is primarily a program-oriented language. It was created to be a write-once-run-anywhere language with no dependencies or malfunctions. However, Java is a compiled programming language, meaning it needs to be converted before executing the system.
Java is also known as a general-purpose programming language, which means it can be used for any application. Top companies using Java are:
Python Overview: What Does Python Do?
Guido Van Rossum created Python in the late 1980s, and it was released as Python 1.0 in 1994.
Moreover, it is a high-level, object-oriented programming language that allows fast and efficient development. Python can be run on various systems as it supports several operating systems such as Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, etc.
One of the enormous benefits of Python is its dynamic nature; you don’t need to compile your code before running it. It runs on an interpreter system, directly running your code without any compilation stage. Thus, it makes Python an ideal language for rapid prototyping.
Besides, it is used by top companies like Google, IBM, YouTube, etc.
Python vs. Java: 7 Key Differences With Business Perspective
There are several considerable differences between Java and Python. We will focus on seven key differences so that you can decide which technology is more suitable for your project:
#1 Python vs. Java: Performance- Which One Is Perform Better And Faster?
Theoretically, these two programming languages are better at different things. Python excels at general-purpose programming and uses dynamic typing. It’s an interpreted language, but its bytecode can also be compiled into machine code for performance gains.
Further, as a compiled language, Java is more efficient in memory usage and startup time; it also offers many enterprise capabilities. However, you’ll find the performance of Java much better than Python because it is a compiled language and will work faster.
Key Notes: If you’re writing applications that need to perform multiple complex operations simultaneously while handling a lot of data, use Java; if you’re working on anything else or just starting, Python is probably your best bet.
Winner: Java
#2 Python vs. Java: Scalability- Which One Can Handle Huge Data?
In general, Python is better suited for small- and medium-scale projects. While it can handle large data sets, you might have to tweak your code to optimize performance with larger datasets.
On the other hand, Java has been called the all-purpose language for scalable applications because it’s specifically designed for enterprise projects that need optimal performance. So if your app will eventually grow into something much bigger than it is now, looks towards Java as a potential backend language choice.
Winner: Java
#3. Python vs. Java: Learning Curve- Which One Is Easy To Learn?
Python is much simpler to learn than Java. Python was developed with an emphasis on readability and simplicity. Its syntax is similar to natural language, and it’s easy to master its grammar and structure, making it one of the most preferred programming languages among developers.
According to the Stack Overflow data, 48.24% of developers prefer Python as their primary language.
The simplicity in writing codes makes Python an excellent choice for beginners trying to get started with coding.
Using Java, however, might be a little more challenging because you need a lot of practice before writing your first program. You should have at least 2-3 months of experience in developing software applications before learning how to code using Java.
While it is true that both Python and Java belong to high-level programming languages, they do not necessarily rank when comparing them based on their simple nature. Python will be your best bet if you want something super simple.
Winner: Python
#4. Python vs. Java: Cost & Licensing- Which One Is Cheaper?
Although Python and Java are completely free and open-source languages, there is a considerable difference between their license costs. As per Oracle, you need to buy a license of JDK if you want to use it in production.
Whereas Python has an added advantage in cost as most businesses don’t have to pay extra money for it because they already have Python libraries pre-installed on their systems.
Being an open-source language, it’s available at no cost. Another gives Python an upper hand over other programming languages is its easy licensing process. Moreover, IBM has also used Python extensively on its cloud platform Bluemix, making it easier for software developers to learn Python.
Winner: Python
#5. Python vs. Java: Documentation- Which One Is Easier To Find And Use?
Due to its simple nature, it is pretty easy for programmers to learn their way around the Python language. They can access all the documentation and guidelines easily through a single location.
In addition, they also have numerous tutorials that will help them gain expertise in various applications of Python. And most importantly, you can easily find answers to your questions on forums, discussion boards, and social media. You can even hire Python developers to help you out in different scenarios.
On the other hand, it might be challenging if you’re looking for documentation to develop apps using the Java programming language. For any information related to this programming language, you need to check with Oracle, one of its distributors. You also have Javadocs as a primary source of information.
However, it’s not as easy to navigate Javadocs as Python documentation. Python is your best bet here if you are looking for something quick and simple.
Winner: Python
#6. Python vs. Java: Popularity- Which One Is In Trend?
Java is more popular than Python because it is an all-purpose programming language. This can be seen by searching on Google trends. When you search in Google Trends Java, it has more search than Python. The below image shows data related to popularity between Python and Java in terms of their frequency of google search.
It indicates that Java is more used than Python. Moreover, various software companies use Java because they trust its capabilities and features. On the other hand, many business people are also hiring a Python development company because Python is easy to learn, read and write. Also, it can be used for a wide variety of applications.
Winner: Java
#7. Python vs. Java: Development Time- Which One Requires Less Time To Develop a Project?
Although Python and Java are used for multiple purposes and are general-purpose programming languages, one factor differentiates them. Since Python was developed as a scripting language, it allows its users to build new applications more rapidly and efficiently.
On the other hand, Java was designed to focus on security and robustness. Hence, developing complex applications in Java requires more time compared to Python. This is due to two main reasons:
- Firstly, since it uses an object-oriented approach, it takes developers more time to grasp it than Python.
- Secondly, you cannot use or import classes (like math) unless they have been previously created by someone else or you have access to their source code.
Winner: Python
Conclusion
You’ve probably formed a feeling about which programming language is superior to the other. However, it’s incorrect to claim that only one is excellent while the other isn’t.
For instance, Java might be older than Python, but it still has a wide range of applications, and many software development companies use it to provide high-quality apps for their clients.
On the other hand, Python is preferred for individuals who want to develop new apps quickly. In addition to this, it’s also used by big businesses because of its robustness and ease of use.
Java and Python have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Each may resemble one other, but they are distinct in their own way. Therefore, it’s up to you which one you’ll want to use.
However, if you’re still undecided about which programming language to pick, the best thing to do is inquire with the best software development firms. They’ll be able to help you choose the greatest programming language for your project this way.
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