The Fierce Rivalry: Python vs Java for App Development

When it comes to the choice between Python and Java, it’s not easy to make a decision. The most popular websites and apps in the world like Google, Facebook, Instagram, and Netflix have both Python and Java on their back-end.

Both of them are high-level programming languages that offer great opportunities for developers. Being highly efficient, they are widely used in building an Internet of things, including web, APIs, app development, data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and many more. However, for different tasks, developers prefer to use different types of languages.

Our article will help you judge this fierce fight responsibly. First, we will start with the top features, tools, and drawbacks of Python and Java, respectively, explaining which one is the best for your next big project. Then, we will provide some interesting graphs, stats, and trends that will show their popularity fluctuations. Finally, we will sum everything up in the brief with a pro/cons comparison table.

The Coding Battle: Top Features and Tools

What are the top features of Python?

• A high-level, general-purpose, and user-friendly programming language with dynamic semantics resembling ordinary English;
• Widely used for backend development and the perfect choice for RAD (Rapid Application Development) for features like dynamic binding, built-in data structures, dynamic typing;
• Used for Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and AI fields;
• It is easy to write and debug;
• Helps developers make complex programming simpler;
• Offers a very simple syntax compared to Java, C, and C++ languages;
• Each function has its unique chunk of code;
• Supports both object-oriented and functional programming features;
• Runs on different kinds of OS;
• Has a vast collection of built-in libraries for browsers, images and documents, etc. Therefore, you don’t have to download them separately;
• Comes with many pre-built libraries that are freely available on the web.

What are the top features of Java?

• Inspired by C and C++ languages;
• Its apps are highly interactive and responsive;
• Due to JVM (Java Virtual Machine), it runs on any platform;
• A fully object-oriented language;
• Supports multiple open-source libraries;
• Uses static-typing syntax, which is a lot easier and faster for compilation and less prone to errors than dynamic-typed one;
• Offers a large pool of skilled developers;
• Provides a multi-threaded environment that allows developers to perform many tasks at the same time in a program;
• Has a huge array of easy-to-navigate libraries;
• Allows developers to form standard programs and reusable code.

Comparing the Pros, Cons, and Use Cases

Python key characteristics

• Who uses Python: Netflix, Google, YouTube, Quora, Uber, Dropbox, Pinterest‍
• Best for Games, Image processing and graphic design, Language development, Machine learning apps, Operating systems, Prototyping
• Code: small lines, semicolons not used
• Dynamic/static: dynamic
• Syntax: indentation required (mainly for readability), braces are not
• Portability: yes
• Speed: faster than Java (interprets variables and types on the run)
• Easiness: easier than Java
• Backend frameworks: Django and Flask for building apps
• Machine learning libraries: Tensorflow, Pytorch Machine Learning Library
• Game development engines: Cocos, Panda3d

Java key characteristics

• Who uses Java: Cash App, Twitter, Airbnb, Pinterest, Spotify
• Best for: Mobile applications, Big-scale enterprise solutions, Desktop GUI apps, Embedded Systems, Web app services
• Code: lengthy lines, operators, and blocks
• Dynamic/static: static
• Syntax: blocks in curly braces, semicolons at the end of lines & the whole program
• Portability: JVM (Java Virtual Machine) is standard and available everywhere
• Speed: slower than Python
• Easiness: more difficult than Python
• Backend frameworks: Spring and Blade
• Machine learning libraries: Weka, Mallet, MOA, Deeplearning4j
• Game development engines: JMonkeyEngine

The Advantages of Python and Java

Python advantages
Today developers tend to use Python more as it is easier to learn and use. Here are even more reasons why they do it:

• Extensive support libraries. Together with its multiple programming paradigms, it reduces the length of the code and ensures code reusability and readability.
• Open-source. Python is free to use and distribute. In addition to that, support is always available.
• Easy to learn and well supported. Famous for its easy-to-learn syntax, Python is a great starting point for beginners.
• High-level object-oriented programming. Python lets developers work faster and efficiently integrate different systems.
• Great community. Many other developers can advise you how to use it better, as long as Python has a huge community around it.
• Productivity. Python is more productive than Java, thanks to its enhanced process control, text processing capabilities, and testing framework.

Java advantages
The difference in performance between Java and Python is not that great, but when it comes to some specific things, such as reliability and optimization, it becomes really significant. Here are a few reasons why developers choose Java:

• Great accessibility. Java can be integrated with ease from one computer system to another.
• Compiled language. By using Java, developers can compile the program one time and then use the bytecode generated by the Java compiler on any platform.
• Reliability. Thanks to its early checking feature for possible errors, Java detects many problems at the initial stage.
• Code reusability. Just-in-time compilation, object-oriented approach, and platform independence help developers run their code anywhere with JVM.
• Multi-task language. With Java, developers can use one program to perform several tasks simultaneously. It’s called multithreaded programming and this feature is vital in visual and network programming.

The Drawbacks of Python and Java

Disadvantages of Python
Here are the disadvantages of using Python:

• Used in fewer platforms
• Memory consumption is high, so better not to use it for memory-intensive tasks
• Not the best choice for mobile app development
• Requires more tests and often has runtime errors
• Offers a primitive database access layer

Disadvantages of Java
Here are the main drawbacks of using Java:

• Requires a higher complexity of programming language learning
• Its JIT compiler makes the program slower than other counterparts
• Requires high memory which is managed through garbage collection
• Once the garbage collection runs, it affects the program’s performance

The Realms Where Python and Java Reign Supreme

What is Python good for?
Here are the top 3 areas where Python is used:

1. Web Development
   This is the essence of Python’s applicability. Thanks to its wide variety of frameworks and content management systems such as Django, Flask, Pyramid, Plone CMS, and Wagtail, Python language simplifies the developer’s life.
2. Game Development
   Did you know that the very popular Sims 4, World of Tanks, and Battlefield 2 were written in Python? Python provides tons of libraries and tools for game development, including PyGame, Panda3D, Construct, and many others.
3. AI & Machine Learning
   Artificial intelligence and machine learning are extremely popular topics today. Python has contributed to their growth and ranks second among the languages used for machine learning.

What is Java good for?
Here are 4 main fields where Java comes in handy:

1. Mobile applications – Java is most commonly used for mobile devices now. Any app on your Android phone is actually written in the Java programming language using the Android SDK. This means that Java is one of the most commonly used languages for mobile devices now.
2. Desktop applications – Java offers different frameworks like Abstract Windowing Toolkit (AWT), JavaFX, and Swing for GUI development.
3. Web applications – Java offers support for web development through its Servlets, Struts, and JSP (Java Server Pages) frameworks. The reliable programming and enhanced security have made it possible to use a wide range of Java-based government and e-commerce apps for healthcare, education, or insurance.
4. Web servers – Java is often used for web and application servers, including the well-known Apache Tomcat, Oracle WebLogic, and IBM WebSphere.

Summing Up the Python vs Java Debate

Still, making a decision?
Here’s a brief comparison of the key differences between those two:

• Whitespace: Python uses whitespaces as a part of the syntax, whereas Java ignores them.
• Agility: Due to static typing, Java is more popular for mobile and web applications. Python, on the other hand, is more popular in machine learning, IoT, and AI fields.
• Speed: Compared to Python, Java projects tend to take longer and may need bigger development teams.
• Learning: Python is a suitable choice for beginners and its syntax it easier to learn. Java takes longer to learn and requests a higher entry level.
• Apps: Java is applied in every field, mostly in mobile and web development.
• AI & Machine Learning: Java is used in AI and machine learning fields, but not as much as Python.
• Trends: Based on the latest trends, Python has shown astronomical growth, while Java has lost its popularity.

Conclusion
The Python vs Java battle continues and will continue for years to come. However, one thing is for sure: Python is the future.
It’s up to you, which side are you on. If the speed of development is your top priority, then choose Python. If stability matches your needs, go for Java. Simply speaking, Java is better suited for solving complex development problems, while Python is simpler and easier to learn, read, write, and modify. Keep in mind that your choice should always fit your individual needs, budget, and the type of project you are working on.