When it comes to choosing between “Java Vs Python” programming languages, computer science students find themselves in a dilemma. They spend each semester to deep dive into the concepts of both Java and Python programming languages. But their confusion never gets resolved.
Let us kick out all of your confusion as we’ve got a special article to discuss which one is better between Java programming language and Python programming language. So, fasten your seatbelts as the discussion is going to be an intense one.
So, let us start with a brief discussion of Java and Python Programming Languages.
TL;DR: Java Vs Python Programming
Aspect | Summary |
Overview | Java and Python are both powerful, high-level programming languages that are used in various industries. |
Syntax & Learning Curve | Python has a simpler and beginner-friendly syntax that completes code in a few lines. Java has a more verbose and structured syntax, which complicates a program. |
Performance & Typing | Java is faster and statically typed. Python is slower but dynamically typed. |
Use Cases & Applications | Java is used in web, mobile (Android), and enterprise. Python helps in AI, ML, automation, and data science. |
Job Market & Ecosystem | Python is useful in startups and remote work Java keeps a strong hold in enterprise roles. |
Tooling & Libraries | Java uses IntelliJ, Maven, and Gradle. Python uses PyCharm, Pip. |
Why Python Is Popular |
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What Are Java And Python Programming Languages?
Java Programming Language was first released in 1985 accidentally, later it was taken by the Oracle Cooperation. Java is a multi-platform, object-oriented programming language used in the Web Development process mainly. It can be also classified as a general-purpose programming language.
Python is another popular programming language highly used for its integrated libraries & capability to work in the Data Analysis process as well as in Machine Learning. Python programming language is famous for its concise syntax in a possible Python code.
Let us move ahead to find the differences & similarities between Python and Java.
What Are The Similarities and Differences Between Java And Python?
After clearing the basic things related to Python and Java, it is time to discuss the core section of this article. In this section, we will discuss the similarities and differences between the two most popular programming languages i.e. Java programs & Python Programs.
We will first make a discussion on the similarities between the Java program & Python program. And later, we will move to enlighten the differences between writing Java code and Python code.
How Are Java And Python Similar?
You will be surprised to know that between Python and Java, there are many similarities are present. While writing code on them, we mostly find dissimilarities between them. But it is true that they keep some commonness in between them.
Let us know all of them one by one briefly.
1) High-Level Programming Language:
In Computer Science, there are two types of languages present. One is High-Level and the other is Low-Level. If a language falls under the high-level category, then it is more human-friendly. And all of them will be platform-independent.
The Java and Python coding languages are both considered as the High-level programming languages. If you’re looking for the best IDE to code in Python, check out our list of the Top IDEs For Python. As both of them can execute a code whatever the coding environment is. Also, the coding appearance is very simple to be understood by any simple human being.
2) Object Oriented Programming Language:
Object-Oriented Programming concept is the most popular concept nowadays. All of the major development of the application should be done with the help of the OOPs concept. OOPs concept consists of Encapsulation, Inheritance & many more features.
Both Python and Java are recognized as the Object Oriented Language. So, you will get the feature in both languages. OOPs are primarily used in web development with Java and for machine learning with Python.
3) Procedural Programming Concept:
In computer science, coding languages are divided into many categories. One of the similar categories is the Procedural Programming Category. The category includes coding languages that follow a specific pattern when writing code.
Eventually, Python and Java both belong to the same category. That is the reason, we find a pattern while writing code with those. You will find similar approach patterns for both of them. The for-loop and if-else statements are similar to increase the code readability for both languages.
4) Easy Accessible Libraries:
For any coding language, the presence of a vast supportive library is essential. A language that has a nearly infinite number of libraries built previously, gets more popularity as they can be used for any problem statement.
In case of the Python and Java, the library presence is intense. That is the reason, Python and Java can be used for any type of problem. Java can be used for Web Development to Mobile App Development. Python for Machine Learning and Big Data Analysis.
5) A Large Supportive Community:
In every domain of your life, you have to get help from someone or something. You are not self-efficient enough. The same thing goes for the coding languages as well. Hopefully, you will find certain communities for every coding language.
In the case of the Python & Java language, there is a large community present in the virtual media. You can join the community and get any kind of support from the rest of the geeks. You can discuss any problem and you will get a reply from any expert there. Apart from online communities, having one-on-one expert support can be invaluable.
6) Job Opportunities:
When we turn towards the opportunities of jobs for the Python and Java domains, we find that there is quite no difference present. At least, we can’t term the job requirements for Java or Python developers as going downwards. Rather, it is increasing day by day.
It is termed as one of the similarities as the needs of both Java and Python are similar. In the United States, the need for a Good Java Developer is the same as the demand for a good Python Developer. So, these both domains are worth exploring.
How Are Java And Python Different?
After knowing the similarities between Python and Java, it is time to understand the differences between them. We will discuss all the important differences that one should know carefully before picking up their future field of work.
So, let us understand the differences in Java Vs Python step by step manner.
1) Interpreted Language or Compiled Language:
Java is considered a Compiled language that executes a bit faster than any other language. In the case of the Compiled code, the instructions are converted to the machine data and then they are executed. Compilers can only understand the machine code.
In the case of the Python program, it falls under the Interpreted language category. That means, the code will not be converted to the machine code for the execution purpose. The Interpreted language are bit slower than the compiled language.
2) Static Typing Or Dynamically Typed Language:
In the case of Java, the coding language falls under the Static Typed Language category. The Static Typed Language means that the data type of the variables should be declared beforehand. The compiler will not extract the data type format by the value given to it.
In the case of Python, it follows the Dynamic Typed Language category. That means, in case of the Python, there is no need to declare the Data type before the variable declaration. If you want to explore more about Python’s data handling capabilities, check out our detailed guide on How To Convert String To Double In Python?. During the run-time, the compiler extracts the data type details from the value of the variable.
3) Presence of Public Static Void Main or Starting Point In Syntax:
In the case of Java, there is a particular starting point present that is known as the Public Static Void Main. After writing the statement, one can move ahead to write a certain piece of code. In the absence of the statement, the compiler will throw an error as the output.
But in the case of the Python code, there is no particular starting point is present. A programmer can directly start the code without using any particular statement. The spaces will act as the braces in cases of the Python concise programs.
4) Programming Portability:
The Java language is more portable than the Java Virtual Machine present there. Any computer or mobile device that can work on the Java Virtual Machine JVM, can execute a Java code. That is the reason, Java follows the policy “Write Once, Run Anywhere”.
Python is less portable as Python has a Python Interpreter that works as a mediator to execute any code. You need to have the Python Interpreter to execute any code examples. The main task of the interpreter is to translate the code into the target machine.
5) Scope Of Multiple Inheritance:
Java can give the multiple inheritance option to the programmers. But they have to use a trick to implement that in the code. Programmers need to use the interfaces to partially deploy the multiple inheritance techniques in the code.
On the other hand, the Python language will not require any trick to use the multiple inheritance techniques in the code. In the case of Python, the single & multiple inheritance can easily be done in the code itself. It is a plus point of the Python language.
6) Scope & Applications:
The Scope and application in Java make the difference with Python. The Java can be used for the Web Development process along with the Mobile Android Development. From Cloud Development to the Internet of Things (IoT), the scope to use Java is very vast.
For the Python programming language, the Scope mainly concentrated on the Data Mining concept. From the Data Analysis to the Data Transformation, all could be done with the help of the Python Language. As it follows the OOPs concept, it can be used for Machine Learning as well.
What Can Be A Sample Code Example To Differentiate Between Java And Python?
Now, the above discussion might be enough to draw the picture that Java and Python are not the same thing. There are many differences present and the major difference exists between the Coding Syntax. Here, we are going to elaborately check that difference.
n this case, we are going to implement one sample small program in both Java and Python language. The structure itself will speak about the difference. We will start with the implementation in Java language first.
Sample Program in Java Language:
public class Main{
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("CodingZap");}
}
Here, we are marking the starting with Public Class Main. Inside that, the Public Static Void main(String[] args) is the main function from where every Java Program starts. The task is to print a sample statement. So, we are using 6 Lines to complete a simple program in Java.
Sample Program in Python Language:
print("CodingZap")
We are implementing the same program in Python. If you are a newcomer, you will think that the program is incomplete. However, whatever we were performing in 6 lines in Java is completed with this simple one line. And it is super easy to understand.
So, the above discussion will emphasize the difference between Java and Python lies in their Coding Style & Syntax. It is the major field & as Python takes very little space it is considered the most favorite of students.
What Are Some Advantages and Disadvantages of Java Programming Language?
Before ending our discussion, it is time to put some light on the Advantages and Disadvantages of Java programming language. Advantages and Disadvantages become the features of any application by combining them.
So, look closely at these points to understand the concept more clearly. We will first start with the Advantages & later the Disadvantages will be disclosed.
Advantages of Java:
- It is secure enough to use in any large software application or web development.
- The implementation process of Java is simpler than any other language.
- Multithreading in Java helps execute different threads at the same time.
- Java Codes work on the Platform Platform-Independent process that can execute on any OS.
- The Java comes up with a large community support.
Disadvantages of Java:
- Java consumes more memory than any programming language even Python.
- Java doesn’t have a Garbage Collection System to clear memory.
- In Java, the reserved words are too much to work on a large project.
- The Graphical Interface of Java is much less attractive than any other language.
What Are Some Advantages and Disadvantages of Python Programming Language?
While we are talking about the Advantages and Disadvantages of Java, we have to consider the same for Python also. Otherwise, you can’t pick up wisely any one of the Programming languages. If you pick up the wrong one, it can be fatal in your future career.
In this case, also, we will first discuss the advantages & later the disadvantages will be exercised. You can compare them with Java to understand more differences & get clarity over it.
Advantages of Python:
- Using Python language, fast development of any project can be achieved as it requires less code.
- Python provides a feature to make programming flexible using different parameters.
- A Large scale of libraries is present to support extensive use of Python.
- The Python codes are also Platform-Independent like the Java programs.
- Python is used to expand the productivity of the code within a small time frame.
Disadvantages of Python:
- The Advanced Level Python topics require more memory to execute a sample small code.
- Python can’t work on Multithreading & executes only one thread.
- The Working of Python can’t be achieved on Mobile devices.
- The Python is less used for the Simple Web Development process.
Why Python Is Better Than Java?
After a deep discussion between Python and Java, we hope that the concept is now clear to you. However, we have to answer one question, why Python is still better than Java? According to one survey data in 2022, 70% of students voted for Python as the better one.
We have made some points that might be the reason behind Python’s popularity despite having some disputes. The list is the following:
Easy Syntax Structure: The syntax structure of Python is the favorite of all programmers. For printing a simple statement, Java takes nearly five lines. Whereas, in Python, there is only one line required.
Absence Of Braces: Many programmers find it time-consuming to mark the braces in Java by taking care of the indentation process. In Python, spaces are used instead of braces. So, it helps to make the indentation more easily than Java.
Largely Accepted Domains: Many programmers have a belief that what Python can do, Java can’t work on those domains. But, Python is capable of solving every problem even special problems of Java without any error.
Less Keyword Stock: In Python, is a very less & rememberable keyword stocks present. A programmer can easily memorize those keywords. But in case of the Java, there are a lot of keywords reserved that can’t be used in the program.
Data Analysis Process: Python is the gateway of the Data Analysis process. From Big Data Analysis to Machine Learning, every subject can easily be solved in the Python language. That is the reason, it is more acceptable than Java.
Comparison Table On Real-World Use Cases Of Java And Python:
After understanding some differences between Java Vs Python, it is time to know another aspect of the difference. These differences lie in the Real-world Use Cases of Java and Python.
In this section, we will make a Comparison Table to show the Real-world use case differences between Java and Python. So, let us have a look at the following table.
Real-world Use Cases | Java Programming | Python Programming |
Mobile Apps | Android | Not Preferred |
Web Development | Spring Boot | Django and Flask |
AI And ML | Limited Support | TensorFlow and PyTorch |
Enterprise Systems | Dominating | Less Popular |
Automation | Verbose | Ideal |
Game Development | Moderate | Limited |
Comparison Table On Tooling & IDE Support Of Java And Python:
Along with the Packages and Ecosystems, the Integrated Development Environment is another big field where we can see the difference between Java and Python. In this section, we will learn about it.
Here, we will make a comparison table that will show the differences in Tooling and IDE Support between Java Vs Python Programming. So, let us check them out.
Criteria | Java Programming | Python Programming |
IDE Example | IntelliJ | PyCharm |
Editors | Eclipse | VSCode |
Debugging | Visual | Lightweight |
Linters | Checkstyle | Pylint |
Build Tools | Gradle | Node |
Comparison Table On Performance Benchmark Of Java And Python:
After understanding the differences of Real-world use cases between Java and Python, it is time to move ahead to another important difference. This difference will clear the Performance Benchmark of Java Vs Python.
Let us check the following comparison table, where the Performance Difference of Java and Python is discussed using various criteria like Speed, Memory, Startup, etc. So, let us check it.
Criteria | Java Programming | Python Programming |
Speed | Faster | Slower |
Memory | Efficient | Heavier |
Startup | Slower | Quicker |
Threading | Native | Limited |
Compilation | Static | Dynamic |
Where Can You Learn Java And Python Courses?
At the end of the topic, we want to ensure that you get the best knowledge from whatever course you will pick. You might pick Java or Python, but the knowledge of that course should be appropriate. Also, you should have proper documentation of your gained knowledge.
There are many online platforms present from where you can gain knowledge in Python or Java. After completion of the course, you will get the certificate. However, the certificate will not help you to gain the job with that specific skill.
Such Platforms are like the following:
- Online Certification Program: Complete the course within the deadline to get the certificate.
- Online Competition: Solve a set of questions within time to pass the exam & get the certificate.
- Practice Platform: Solve more & more problems to unlock badges to showcase on CV.
To land any job, you have to get certificates from the authorized section & which have the proper value. There are two kinds of organizations from where you can gain knowledge & certificate to land your dream job.
- Coding Bootcamps: These are an online organization that takes small charges to educate you on a proper subject. And these courses do not end within a week, you have to be a part of it for six months to be eligible to sit for the final exam & get the certificate.
- University Degree: This is another way to gain a certificate that pays value while giving an interview at any company. In this process, you have to be a part of a university for 4-years at a stretch. And you have to pass the overall 8 exams to get a good score at the end.
To learn more about Coding Bootcamps and University Degrees, you can check out Coding Bootcamps Vs Computer Science Degree. If you want to learn Java or Python course, do pick up one of them. The certificate will be valuable in that case.
Conclusion:
As we saw it is crucial to grasp the difference between “Java Vs Python” to pick the right one.
Both Python and Java have their pros and cons. It completely depends upon what to choose as per your future career path. But one thing we should highlight, both of these career paths are most in demand now or even in the future as well.
Whatever the coding languages you pick up as your future career path, you have to clear the basic concept of the subject. If your foundation is strong, then all upcoming advanced topics will also become a cakewalk. So, start clearing the basic doubts from now on.
Takeaways:
- From the Theoretical Perspective, Java and Python are moreover similar languages.
- The Main difference lies between the Coding Syntax of Java and Python programming languages.
- To execute a simple print program, Java takes Six Lines. And Python takes only one line.
- Security, Multi-Threading, Platform Independence, etc. are advantages of Java.
- Garbage Collection, GUI, and Reserved Words are some of the notable disadvantages of Java.
- Large Library, Increased Productivity, Platform Independence, etc. are some positives of Python.
- Coding Bootcamps & Universities are the only legitimizing certificate providers to land any job with Java and Python.
- The hardness of Java or Python depends upon each one perspective. If you’re starting with Python and looking for guidance, explore our detailed guide on Reasons To Learn Python.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Question by Students)
One can say the answer of this question as the answer of this question depends upon the user’s perspective. What is difficult for us might be easiest for you. So, there is no particular answer to this question. You have to understand that is harder between Java and Python.
There is like no difference between Java and Python salary. Both of the salaries range from $90,000 to $120,000 in USA. Based upon your experience & developed project, the range of the salary is determined. However, Java developers get a bit less salary than Python developers.
There are many more fields present where Python can’t be highly implemented as Gaming. Python doesn’t have a multithreading feature, so it cannot replace every need. In this case, we can predict that Python is not going to be the only Future.
