Java vs Golang vs Python programming: what is the difference?

Author: Zuzana Kocáková

Digitization

10 reading minutes

Java vs Go vs Python programming: a comparison of programming languages to help you make a better decision.

Changing the programming language is a big step for a programmer. It should only be done if the current language does not suit them or does not provide everything they require. There are now a large number of programming languages. In addition to the comparison of Python vs Golang programming language, known as Go, it is interesting to illustrate the comparison of Golang vs Java programming language. What are the benefits of each programming language and which one is best for you? Each programming language has its own applications, is constantly evolving and may have its own specific advantages or disadvantages. We will start with a short review comparing Java and Python language, and we will conclude with a look at the Go language and Golang programmers.

Java programming language

Probably everyone has heard of Java jdk. The question of what Java is, is quite simple to answer. It is a multi-purpose, object-oriented programming language. It is developed by Oracle and its syntax is based on languages you may also be familiar with. These languages are C and C++. The interesting thing about Java is that in 1991, when it was created, it was called Oak. Unlike C/C++, this language could be compiled on different platforms without recompiling again. The name Oak was later changed to Java because a language with that name already existed. However, the change did not affect only its name. The Java programming language was initially used in consumer electronics, but later its direction turned to the Internet. No wonder. In the 90s, when the language was created, there was a big boom of the Internet. Programmers therefore needed a tool that they could use in this sphere. Chief engineer James Gosling then focused on modiying the language. These modifications ensured that Java could work within web browsers and was sufficiently interactive. In addition, it was also thought of security. The syntax of the language was checked before launching, which ruled out crashes due to corrupted code. Another strength promoting security is that Java does not have access to local programs, minimizing the danger of viruses and other problems. The Java programming language is used by server-side Java developers for most backend development projects, including those that work with a lot of data.

Java benefits

Java benefits are the reason why it is one of the most popular languages when programming. Java benefits are:

• absence of charges – Java is free, so you don’t have to pay anything extra to use it;
• universality – since Java is universal, you can use it to program almost anything. It’s especially key for Android users, as most Android apps run on it. In addition, the language is also present in laptops, computers, game consoles and data centers;
• functionality – Java works on a variety of operating systems, including Windows, Mac and Linux;
• easiness – Java is perfect for beginners without any programming experience. It checks for errors before running, reducing the risk of various unnecessary complications. Learning Java is not difficult and can be mastered in a relatively short time;
• security – we must not forget about security, which is achieved by the fact that Java does not have access to local programs.

Java disadvantages

Every programming language also has its drawbacks. In the case of Java, you may encounter the following:

• It is demanding on memory. Unlike other languages, Java has relatively higher RAM requirements.
• It is not suitable for creating complicated user interfaces. Complications and inconsistencies can arise when using this language.
• Lack of backup. Java does not focus on backups, which can cause the loss of important data.
• Requires detailed and complex codes. Java codes are detailed and composed of long sentences that reduce their readability.

What is Python programming?

The Python language is a modern and powerful general-purpose open source programming language copyrighted under a license compatible with the GPL certified Open Source Initiative. Python programming has a simple and easy-to-use syntax. This makes Python an interesting language to learn for beginners. At the same time, it is an object-oriented programming language suitable for processing large amounts of data, including complex mathematical calculations. It is used in fields such as bioinformatics, neurobiology or even astronomy. It is also one of the oldest languages – it was created in 1989. A key Python function is that you can easily extend it. You can use the language itself to extend existing applications. Many people mistakenly think that the name Python comes from the name of the snake. But the truth is that its developer, Guido van Rossum, was inspired by the British satirical series Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

In Python, functions are blocks of code that perform a specific task and can be called from other parts of the code. They are defined using the keyword “def”. Here are some aspects of basic functions in Python:

• len(iterable): Returns the number of elements in an iterable object (e.g. list, string, tuple).
• min(iterable): Returns the smallest element of the iterable object.
• max(iterable): Returns the largest element of the iterable object.
• sum(iterable): Returns the sum of the elements in the iterable object (usable e.g. for adding numbers in a list).

Python functions are very useful for organizing code and reusing it.

How to program in Python?

As a future Python developer at the beginning of your Python programming journey, it is essential to gain a solid understanding of the basic concepts that characterize the Python language. This includes a thorough familiarity with the principles of object-oriented programming (OOP), which is a key pillar for us if we program in Python. Understanding concepts such as classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism and encapsulation is essential for effectively creating scalable and reusable code bases. Programming in Python and a few basic principles to get you started programming in the language.

1. Python installation:

The first step is to install Python on your computer. Visit the official Python website (https://www.python.org/) to download the latest version for your operating system. Most modern operating systems already have Python pre-installed.

2. Basics of the language:

Variables and data types: define variables and understand basic data types such as numbers, strings and Python lists.

3. Conditions and loops: learn how to use conditions (if, else, elif) and loops (for, while) to control the flow of a program.
4. Functions:

Define custom functions for code reusability.

5. Data structures:

Learn about basic Python data structures such as lists, tuples, sets and dictionaries.

6. Working with modules and packages:

The extensive library contains various Python modules and tools that extend the functionality of the language and that you can use effectively in your code. If we already know the Python basics and program in Python, it allows us to take full advantage of the benefits and functionality in a variety of areas from data analysis to task automation and artificial intelligence. We can efficiently and quickly build applications for a variety fields, including web development, which greatly increases the productivity of Python programmers. The best way to learn to code in Python is to code. Create your own projects, solve problems, and participate in the open-source Python community.

Python benefits

It has several advantages, including:

• simplicity – learning the Python programming language won’t be a problem and you’ll be able to master it in no time. If you know English, everything will be even easier. Basic English verbs are all you need to use Python;
• absence of charges – it’s open source, you don’t have to pay anything. It is available for free for users. This is a great advantage, especially if you just want to try it out;
• productivity – Python programming is highly productive. This means you don’t have to spend a lot of time understanding the syntax and you can get down to coding;
• large library – the standard Python library is large and contains all the data you need. So you don’t have to worry about having to do some research using other sources.

Python disadvantages

When using Python, you also have to take into account a few disadvantages:

• slow performance – unlike other languages, Python is a bit slower;
• uses a lot of memory – you’ll need quite a lot of storage for Python;
• weak on mobile devices – so it is not used very often on mobile devices, as it is not memory efficient and is slow.

Golang or Go programming language

Golang, often referred to as Go, is a multi-purpose programming language that is compiled and statically typed. Compiled means that its source code is translated directly into machine code, allowing for faster operation. The Golang programming language was designed by Google in 2007, but was only released to the market in 2009. The Go language was meant to be a solution for older languages that couldn’t handle large amounts of code. This is the reason why Go’s syntax is concise and its usability and readability is much easier. If you want to build bigger and better software, be sure to get clear on what Golang is as soon as possible.

Golang programming language advantages

There is a number of Golang benefits, which is why it is used by people all over the world. The main advantages include:

• simplicity – Golang is one of the easiest languages to learn. You can learn the basics in a short time;
• good documentation – Go has easy-to-read documentation, which you can find on the official website. It also has a large and active community behind it, which will be happy to help you if you have any problems;
• versatility – you can use Go for different projects you have ahead of you because it’s multi-purpose. It’s also often used in cloud programming. For example, Amazon (Amazon Web Services) or Google (Google Cloud Platform) are popular;
• absence of charges – since Golang is free, you pay nothing to use it.

Golang programming language disadvantages

The Golang programming language also has a few cons:

• Creates room for minor coding issues. Although Go is easy to use, it sometimes creates room for unnecessary errors that can occur when a project grows to larger sizes. For large projects, it is therefore a good idea to choose more intelligent programming languages.
• This is a relatively new language. Compared to other programming languages, Golang is relatively new, so you won’t find as much information about it as you will about Java.
• It’s time-consuming. Golang isn’t the most complicated programming language, but it’s in last place compared to languages like Java or Python.

Comparison of Java vs Python vs Golang programming languages

If you want to choose the best programming language, you need to compare them all and see what advantages and disadvantages they have. For a better overview, we’ve prepared a handy table where you can find all the basic information.

*According to information from the portal Medium.com

Test a programming language

It is not possible to universally evaluate which programming language is the best. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. If you can’t decide based on the information we’ve given you, give each language a try. They’re all free, so you don’t have to worry about investing unnecessarily. Knowing at least one of the most well-known programming languages will give you the opportunity to respond to our interesting IT job offers and kick-start your new career in the world of technology.

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Java vs Golang vs Python programming: what is the difference?

Zuzana Kocáková

At msg life Slovakia I take care of the company culture, events and I am part of the marketing team. I like a job where I can be creative and contribute to making my colleagues at msg feel good. I regularly prepare for you not only news and interesting things from the world of information technology and insurance, but also from behind the scenes events at msg life Slovakia.