Python vs JavaScript: Key Difference Between Them
Difference Between Python vs JavaScript
- Python is a high-level object-oriented programming language with built-in data structures combined with dynamic binding and typing, which makes it ideal for rapid application development. JavaScript is a scripting language that helps you create interactive web pages.
- Python has mutable and immutable data types, but JavaScript has no concept of mutable and immutable.
- Python source code is ASCII by default unless you specify an encoding format, whereas JavaScript should be encoded as UTF-16 as it does not offer built-in support for manipulating raw bytes.
- Python language uses indentation, whereas JavaScript uses curly brackets.
- In Python programming language, getter and setter functions are used to define an attribute, and in JavaScript, objects have properties that can be composed of underlying attributes that let you define a property.
- Python is for tasks related to data analytics, machine learning, and math-intensive operations, whereas JavaScript helps you build a website or native application.
Here, I have analyzed the difference between Python and JavaScript and will comprehensively evaluate their pros and cons.
What is Python?
Python is a high-level object-oriented programming (OOP) language. Python’s built-in data structures, combined with dynamic binding and typing, make it ideal for rapid application development.
Example of Python program print “Hello World”
print("Hello World")
Features of Python
In my extensive use, here are the important features of Python:
- Easy to learn, read, and maintain
- It can run on various hardware platforms & using the same interface.
- You can include low-level modules to the Python interpreter.
- Python programming language offers an ideal structure and support for large programs.
- Python offers support for automatic garbage collection.
- Python supports an interactive mode of testing and debugging.
- Python offers high-level dynamic data types and supports dynamic type checking.
- Python language can be integrated with Java, C, and C++ programming code
- Easy concurrency support via goroutines
- Fast compilation times
- Statically linked binaries which are simple to deploy
Applications of Python
Here are the important applications of Python that I have personally utilized:
- Language for AI, Machine learning and Deep learning
- Rapid prototyping web scripting
- Ad hoc programming
- Scientific applications
- XML processing
- Database applications
- Used for GUI applications
Pros and Cons of Python
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Python is a powerful object-oriented programming language. | Used in fewer platforms. |
Python programming uses an elegant syntax, making the program you write easier to read. | Weak in mobile computing, hence not used in app development |
Python comes with a large standard library, so it supports many common programming tasks. | As Python is dynamic, so it shows more errors at run-time. |
Runs on various types of computers and operating systems: Windows, macOS, Unix, OS/2,etc. | The under-developed and primitive database access layer |
Extensive library and handy tools for developers | Absence of commercial support |
Python has its auto-installed shell | |
Compared with the code of other languages, python code is easy to write and debug. Therefore, its source code is relatively easy to maintain. | |
Python helps you to make complex programming simpler. As it internally deals with memory addresses, garbage collection. |
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is a scripting language that helps you create interactive web pages. It follows the rules of client-side programming, so it runs in the user’s web browser without the need for any resources from the web server.
You can also use JavaScript with other technologies like REST APIs, XML, and more. Nowadays, JavaScript also uses technologies like Node js.
Example of JavaScript Program
<html> <head> <title>My First JavaScript code!!!</title> <script type="text/javascript"> alert("Hello World!"); </script> </head> <body> </body> </html>
Features of JavaScript
Here are the important features of JavaScript that I have come to understand:
- It’s a cross-platform language
- It’s widely used for client-side and server-side
- Strong Testing Workflow
- It’s easy to learn and to start coding with
- Offers added dependencies
Applications of JavaScript
In my practice, these are the important applications of JavaScript:
- It allows you to build secure and scalable applications.
- Dynamic Single-Page Applications (SPAs)
- Front-End technologies like jQuery, AngularJS, Ember.js, and ReactJS are based on JavaScript
- Server-Side technologies like MongoDB, Node.js, and Express.js are based on Java Script.
Pros and Cons of JavaScript
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
It is an open-source project | Client-side JavaScript does not allow the reading or writing of files. It has been kept for security reasons. |
Specially designed tool for small scripts | JavaScript can’t be used for networking applications because there is not much support available. |
Supports classes, interfaces, & modules. | JavaScript doesn’t have any multiprocessor multithreading features. |
Compiled JavaScript runs in any browser | |
Allows cross-compilation | |
JavaScript language is used both on the client-side and the server-side. which means that this language runs practically everywhere, from browsers to powerful servers | |
JavaScript has a large community that actively backs the language. | |
It provides immediate feedback to the visitors | |
It allows you to create interfaces that react when the user hovers using the mouse. |
Python vs JavaScript: Difference Between JavaScript and Python
Here is the main difference between Python and JavaScript, as I’ve experienced:
JavaScript | Python |
---|---|
JavaScript has no concept of mutable and immutable | Python has mutable and immutable data types. |
JavaScript should be encoded as UTF-16 as it does not offer any built-in support for manipulating raw bytes. | Python source code is ASCII by default unless you are specifying any encoding format. |
JavaScript has only floating-point numbers. | In Python, there are many different numeric types like int, fixed-point decimal, etc. |
JavaScript uses curly brackets | Python uses indentation |
JavaScript has fewer modules like date, math, regexp, and JSON. | Python includes a wide range of modules. |
JavaScript objects have properties that can be composed of underlying attributes that let you define a property. | In Python programming language, getter and setter functions are used to define an attribute. |
JavaScript uses a prototype-based inheritance model. | Python uses the class-based inheritance model. |
In addition to front-end and back-end development, JavaScript is also a good option for mobile development. | Python is not a good fit for developing Mobile applications. |
JavaScript helps you to build a website or native application. | Python is for tasks related to data analytics, machine learning, and math-intensive operations. |
TOBIE rating is 7 | TOBIE rating is 3 |
The average salary for a JavaScript developer is $114,856 per year in the United States. | The average salary for a Python developer is $120,255 per year. |
When to use JavaScript and when to use Python?
- If you are doing web development, the better choice is to consider the trio of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- People who want to learn machine learning, data science, and neural networks should consider learning Python
- Python is usable as a front-end language as transpilers that convert Python code to JavaScript make the applications slower. That’s why it is better to use Python for back-end development and stick to JavaScript for the front end.
Which Language to Choose Python or Javascript?
Having worked extensively with both Python and JavaScript, I’ve found that Python excels in data analysis and machine learning, while JavaScript is unrivaled for client-side interactivity in web development.