Python vs. JavaScript: A Comparative Review

Written by jemindesai | Published 2022/09/05
Tech Story Tags: programming | javascript | python | programming-languages | js | web-development | backend | frontend

TLDRPython and JavaScript are two of the most used programming languages. Even though both are object-oriented programming languages, they have different scopes. Knowing what they have in common and how they vary is crucial in the Python vs. JavaScript argument. Python's strength and adaptability have made it an indispensable tool in almost every scientific application worldwide. There are some significant distinctions that you should be aware of before you start studying either one. Python is a prevalent language that is preferred by most developers and clients too.via the TL;DR App

Python and JavaScript are two of the most used programming languages. Even though both are object-oriented programming languages, they have different scopes. Knowing what Python and JavaScript have in common and how they vary is crucial in the Python vs. JavaScript argument. Even though they have many similarities, there are also some significant distinctions that you should be aware of before you start studying either one.

Let's first go through a broad overview of the two languages before breaking down the main distinctions between JavaScript and Python.

Python

At Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Guido Van Rossum invented Python in 1980. (CWI). Python encourages programmers to reuse their code by supporting the modules and packages. Python's strength and adaptability have made it an indispensable tool in almost every scientific application worldwide. It is a multipurpose programming language that is compatible with several paradigms. It is extensively utilized in various scientific and specialized fields, including astronomy, data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer science education, computer vision, and image processing. Web development is another common use case for it. Python is used in back-end development, the part of web design responsible for producing aspects that consumers don't see, such as an application's server side.

Features

Some of the top features of Python are

  • Highly portable
  • Object-oriented
  • Interpreted language
  • Embedded
  • Integrated
  • Run-time memory allocation
  • GUI support

Advantages

Python is a prevalent language that is preferred by most developers and clients too. Here are some of the top advantages of Python,

  • Completely easy to learn and understand
  • Extensive and huge libraries
  • High productivity
  • Interpreted language
  • Open-source
  • Highly supportive community
  • Flexibility

Companies that use Python

Many huge businesses and giants have embraced Python for developing a perfect solution. Here are some of the big names using Python,

  • Facebook
  • Google
  • Instagram
  • Netflix
  • Quora
  • Spotify
  • Dropbox
  • Reddit

JavaScript

JavaScript, sometimes referred to as JS, is an object-oriented, lightweight, just-in-time compiled computer language used to create web pages and online applications. In September 1995, Netscape debuted JavaScript under the moniker LiveScript. It changed its name to Javascript later that year. It was first utilized for online pages and browsers. It is now present in several contexts and applications. High-level programming language JavaScript complies with ECMAScript requirements. 97 percent of websites, according to Wikipedia, employ JavaScript on the client side to improve user experience.

Features

The top features that JavaScript offers are,

  • Platform independent
  • Input validations
  • Browser auto-detection
  • Client-side calculations
  • Property shorthand
  • Perfect control

Advantages

JavaScript development services are considered one of the most adaptable and highly versatile languages, let’s see more reasons to choose JavaScript that make it the developer’s first choice.

  • Highly rich and interactive interface
  • Simple to understand
  • Easy to learn
  • High speed
  • Reduced server load
  • Huge community
  • Versatility
  • Offers extended functionalities

Companies that use JavaScript

The major tech giants that use JavaScript for their businesses have praised it a lot. Let’s have a look at the major ones,

  • PayPal
  • Microsoft
  • Uber
  • Groupon
  • Walmart
  • eBay
  • Google
  • LinkedIn

Differences: JavaScript vs. Python

Parameter

JavaScript

Python

Data types

No concept of different data types

Mutable(set) and immutable(list) data types

Numeric types

Floating-point number

Int, fixed-point, decimal, etc.

Encoding

UTF-16

ASCII

Model

Class-based inheritance model

Prototype-based inheritance

Code blocks

Curly brackets

Indentation

Modules

Limited modules including Date, JSON, math, etc.

Wide range of modules.

Attributes

JavaScript exhibits properties that can be composed of underlying attributes

With descriptor protocol, and getter setter functions, Python allows defining attributes

Functional arguments

JavaScript gives an undefined value to any missing parameter in case of a syntax error or a different parameter

In case of any incorrect parameter in a function, Python instantly raises an exception

Python or JavaScript - When to choose what?

Now, you might be wondering about which languages to choose in which scenarios. Well, here is a brief description of when to choose what, Python development or Java development.

When to use Python?

For individuals who wish to integrate sophisticated features and modules into their applications, Python is a suitable option. Without a doubt, Python can be used for difficult mathematical computations, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data visualization, and game creation. Python may be used to create complex data-handling programs. Additionally, Python's built-in libraries make it simple to implement most functionality. Python is often advised for server-side use.

When to use JavaScript?

For creating websites and mobile apps, JavaScript framework is a superior option. This is due to the fact that it quickly and immediately runs on the browser. Because it functions well with HTML and CSS, it is also a superior option for web development. JavaScript is the best option if you want to maximize memory or performance. In general, client-side usage is advised.

Conclusion

Both Python and JavaScript are robust programming languages with various practical uses. Python has a wide range of applications and is utilized in science. On the other hand, online and mobile apps employ JavaScript. Both languages offer unique features, use cases, benefits, and drawbacks. Although there are some distinctions between the two languages, you can accomplish practically everything with either one. We hope that by now you are aware of the differences between JavaScript and Python and can make an informed decision based on your needs. Because strong programs may be written in both languages.

FAQs

  1. Which is better, Python or JavaScript?

Because JavaScript runs in the browser and Python is a server-side backend language, JavaScript is unquestionably superior to Python for creating websites. Python can help build websites, but it can't do it all by itself.

  1. Can I replace JavaScript with Python for web development?

Python cannot fully replace JavaScript since Python is not a front-end or browser-native language. JavaScript and Python are not native to the web (BACK-END).

  1. Will JavaScript take over Python?

No, both JavaScript and Python have features to offer that match different scenarios. So, in some cases, Python exhibits more advantages, while JavaScript takes over.

  1. Which is more versatile, JavaScript or Python?

Both Python and JavaScript have a wide range of applications, although JavaScript is more adaptable. Everything uses JavaScript, even script tags on your website. It is in charge of the user interface, but it may also function on the server side using the Node. js framework.



Written by jemindesai | Technical Product Manager and Tech-savvy at Positiwise Software Pvt Ltd
Published by HackerNoon on 2022/09/05