If you are looking to develop your competency in the realm of computer programming languages, then there are likely two names at the forefront of your mind. If you were to pay a visit to any online forum or ask any of your tech-savvy friends, they would also likely attest to the importance of Python and Java.
When you’re just starting out with computer programming, these won’t be more to you than some funky names that have something to do with computers. However, the more you learn about their capabilities, associated learning curves and the opportunities they present, the easier your decision process will be.
These are two of the most popular programming languages today. While they might look similar to the untrained eye, in actual fact, they differ in everything from their use cases to the employment prospects they present. Let’s take a look at what separates them so that you can make an informed decision as to what language aligns with your career goals.
The Advantages of Learning Java
One of the reasons why Java is such a beneficial language for beginners to get started with is that it teaches a lot of best practices that translate across to other languages you try your hand at down the line. The language’s strict syntax and type system will make sure that you develop great coding practices that will make you a great programmer from the outset!
Java also has various similarities with traditional programming languages such as C/C++. But it has eliminated C and C++ limitations. So, if someone is interested in learning programming, Java might be the most acceptable option. The sole reason is that it is the most used language in the world.
Improves Employability
Amongst the top benefits of learning Java is that being a specialist in Java makes the possibility of promising opportunities in top-of-the-line companies. Every firm or business is running on the wheels of the Java language. This expansive community and industry adoption of Java means that there is an abundance of potential employers seeking programmers with the necessary skills to make an impact in their business.
The enhanced prospects of employment that surface for programmers who are skilled in Java also help justify the time, money, and effort that go into attaining qualifications in the language. It definitely makes matters a little easier knowing that all your hard work will be rewarded down the line.
Versatile
Java is a language that can be used to create any software. For example, an Enterprise Program, Website, or Search Engine are all part of a software application. Furthermore, if you know the language, you will find it simple to understand Android applications. If you ask any experienced programmer, they’ll tell you all about how Java’s "Write Once, Run Anywhere" philosophy helps them massively when it comes to creating applications that seamlessly operate across different platforms. This versatility is certainly a contributing factor in the success of the language in capturing such an expensive user base across the globe.
Free to Use
Java is a free source language that can easily be obtained on the internet through Java's official site. Hence, there is no charge while writing an application. Additionally, Java has risen to the top of the stack because of its powerful IDEs. This is due to Eclipse and Netbeans, which have made access to Java programming easy.
The Benefits of Learning Python
There's good reason for this pair of programming languages to be at the forefront of every conversation around coding, as Python is also a versatile language. Its versatility has led to its adoption across a bunch of domains, from web development to data science and AI. This meant that you’d most certainly find an application of the language that piques both your interest and career goals.
Another benefit that you’ll likely hear programmers of all levels raving about is its ability to facilitate rapid development. The concise syntax that Python has become famous for allows for quick prototyping and faster development cycles, making it an ideal choice for projects with tight deadlines and for those getting their toes wet with programming.
Relevant to the Job Market
One of the benefits of learning Python is that it opens many doors of opportunity in the market. Therefore, it is considered the fastest-growing primary programming language. Python is a computer language that may be used for a variety of purposes. By setting aside the time needed to develop your understanding and confidence using Python, you’ll be joining a community of highly sought-after developers. Programmers who are skilled at using Python are needed across various industries, from tech giants to startups, often commanding competitive salaries that make it all worth your time.
New Age of Programming
By learning a programming language, you’re not just going to be setting yourself up to enter the job market as it currently sits today, but you’ll inherently set yourself up nicely for success long into the future. Since everyone knows that machine learning and artificial intelligence are globally relevant, it would be unfair not to recognize Python's contributions.
Python is heavily used in game development, finance, trading, and security plotting analysis.
Python stands at the front of modern trends. It has emerged as the primary language when it comes to artificial intelligence and machine learning development, with libraries like TensorFlow and PyTorch leading the charge. It’s certainly reassuring to know that your skills will seemingly be needed long into the future!
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Why Does One Have to Choose?
Choosing between Java and Python is like choosing between Tom or Jerry, Jimmy Fallon or Jimmy Kimmel, Batman or Superman. The decision-making is as tough as it could get. Unfortunately, choosing between Python and Java is one of those decisions in life that you don’t want to, but you have to make.
However, fear not; we have compiled a comprehensive comparison of the two competitive computer languages. When people compare Java with Python, they mention that Java is faster than Python and that Python is more secure than Java.
In-depth Comparison of Java vs Python
Let's take a look at what separates the two languages so that you can arrive at a decision as to which language better serves your career path and interests. Python is excessively used for experimentation; meanwhile, Java is heavily trusted for producing code. Therefore, their usability is the most likely reason for the increasing demand for Java and Python developers in the market.
However, experimentation takes precedence over producing code in most cases. This is because Python is a vigorously typed interpreted language, whereas Java is statically typed and compiled. Moreover, Java is easy to debug and quicker at runtime as the statistics are included, while Python is more convenient to read and use.
Python's appeal is due in great part to its communicability; people comprehend it more easily. In addition, it comes with a plethora of Python libraries, so a novice coder doesn't have to begin from scratch.
Performance and Speed
One of the first things developers look at when investigating a programming language is the performance and speed. This is a category in which Java excels due to its compilation process, which allows it to deliver faster runtime performance.
Undoubtedly, the code written in Java takes less time to run than the code written in Python. This makes Java faster than the two. It is also faster to compile, while Python is an interpreted language. In Python, code is written in a .py file and is transformed into bytecode on execution. Then, it is stored in the directory. Thus, the code’s exact location is hidden from the user but always there and compiled.
Python falls short in this regard since it is an interpreted language that slows down certain applications. However, Python can be written faster, which is something we’ll touch on later! Many people don’t know this, but the compilation is done automatically in run time without the need to run the bytecode. All things considered, when you’re choosing what is best for you, think about what job opportunities you will have with either language and the amount of money you can make with them.
Different Frameworks: Spring and Django
Both languages have their distinctive framework. For instance, Django is the framework of Python and Java has Spring framework. Since both boast a widely-used and equally robust framework, the choice between Java and Python lies entirely on the developers’ discretion. For some people, Java is more straightforward, while some believe that Python is more effortless. However, the secret lies in the amount of practice.
Both Django and Spring are robust frameworks with different strong points, and both are widely used by programmers and developers all around the globe.
When you have more practice with Java, it naturally starts to feel more manageable. On the other hand, if you have spent time working on Python, you will find it more hassle-free, making coding effortless for you.
Learning Curve and Ease of Use
Deciding on what programming language you are going to learn and focus your professional development around is quite a decision. Nobody wants to look back on their careers and wish they hadn’t wasted time learning a skill that proved to be of no value for their career path.
You also don’t want to invest one or two years of your life learning a programming language just to come to the realization that it’s too complicated or challenging to consider a career with the skill.
This is why it’s essential that you make sure not to rush the decision process and make sure to consider the learning curve associated with each.
So, the medal for beginner friendliness goes to Python, and in this regard, it is the best choice for those starting their programming journeys. Hopefully, hearing more about the age-old Java vs. Python debate, you find yourself with an idea of what language suits you best as a beginner.
Development Time
Something that might be difficult to keep in perspective as a beginner making your decision between the two languages is development time, but the more practice you put in with the language, the more this difference will soon become apparent.
One of the major pull factors that brings developers to Python is quite simply that the development speed outpaces Java, and by quite a margin, too! This is because the language’s syntax is a lot simpler, meaning developers can express concepts in their code in fewer lines.
This means there is no need to stress over data types and ranges. For example, in Java, you usually face an error when trying to store a significant value in “int.” On the contrary, Python is stress-free in this case. You are allowed to initialize variables without any restrictions. This heavily eliminates the limits for the developers and will enable them to code freely.
In comparison, Java has more restrictions. It has a more lengthy and complex syntax. Java developers need to write more lines of code than Python developers due to Java's complex syntax. However, it's worth noting that the lengthy writing in Java can save you from lots of unnecessary errors and the rules are also slightly more relaxed. For example, the compiler ignores the white spaces so that developers can be more flexible and accessible while writing.
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Community Support
Anyone who has a few months under their belt with programming knows how important community support is. Anytime you have difficulty or a problem with your code, you’ll be able to turn to the community of language programmers for solutions. This is a category in which both languages excel, as they both have a strong and active user base.
You’ll be able to come across millions of answers related to Python queries on Stackflow, and if you opt for Java, you’ll also have little difficulty finding support through dedicated forums like Coderanch and specialized Discord servers.
Resources to Learn From
When it comes to the resources to learn the language both languages are equally good. Numerous books, tutorials, and articles are available in both of these languages. More than that, you can visit online learning platforms like Superprof, StackOverflow, Github, and more. These platforms are impeccable in teaching how to code in Python, Java, and other programming languages.
Choosing Python or Java for Game Development
Both of these languages are excellent in game development. Their frameworks are designed to help developers create extraordinary games with less effort and in less time. However, Python, being a scripting language, is more effective when the goal is to develop excellent games.
That’s why most developers prefer Python over Java for game development, as it is easier to script in Python.
On the other hand, Java also has viable options for game development, but Python has the upper hand in this domain.
With game development becoming a popular career in the US, Python may be the winner here.
Therefore, if you plan to program games with the utmost high-quality graphics, the experts recommend Python. The Python libraries and high-powered engines are excellent for game development, however, keep in mind that it is almost impossible to create a high-quality game solely on Java or Python.
You are still required to know other programming languages as well. So if you dream of learning Python for a week or two and start developing your very first game, we are sorry to break it to you. It is not how it goes, especially for a beginner. Consider enrolling your child in online coding classes for kids to help them develop critical thinking skills, enhance their problem-solving abilities, and gain valuable knowledge in programming and technology from an early age.
Choosing Python Or Java for Web Applications
Web applications drive the current era. Both of these applications work fine in this department, thanks to their solid framework. Java’s Spring is a massive framework divided into multiple modules such as security, cloud, and more. As a result, Spring is excellent in safety and is considerably fast.
When we compare Python and Java side by side, we can see that Python is easier to learn, but it requires effort and patience in machine learning, data analysis, and data science.
Furthermore, Python-generated programs are slower than those of Java. However, development time is significantly less. For example, a Java developer requires three to five times more time than a Python developer.
Moreover, Python’s dynamic writing and built-in high-level data types are excellent for novice developers. On the other side, Python’s Django is also considered an excellent framework for web applications. It has a dependable speed and reliable security. In short, both languages are tied in this department.
Python and Java: Become a Professional
These developers don’t have to determine argument types and variables. Therefore, although both languages are extraordinary and can be used to develop revolutionary programs, our suggestion to young developers is to start with Python. It is primarily because of its easy-to-understand syntax.
In conclusion, we can say that learning both Python and Java should be the go-to approach for today's software engineers. Nonetheless, by focusing on either to progress your career, you'll be putting yourself in a nice potion to line your pockets with a nice salary. No matter which one you choose to start your software development journey, make sure you enjoy it. Programming itself is a heavily dry activity, but if you master the skill of having fun, there will be no stopping you.
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Progress Your Skills Alongside an Experienced Tutor
Other than this, we suggest you find the right guide for your journey. Programming and software development can get the best of anyone. Therefore, it is good to have some support. For this, Superprof is an excellent platform. With thousands of tutors, experts, and coaches with immense knowledge and diversified experience, you are bound to learn lots of crucial things about languages and programming.
Now that you've gone over what it means to learn Java and Python, you can decide to do what's best for your career: learning one or learning both. But to be successful with either choice, you will need the help of a computer science tutor. So, look for extra help at school or find a coding camp to join over the summer. However, if you want instant results in less time, look up Superprof. Superprof is a platform where students and teachers can find each other. Sign up today, search your preferences and find yourself a programming teacher in your area.
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