Creating and implementing competitive software applications is most important for a successful business today. Hence, choosing the right programming language matters the most. The two most popular languages that are often compared are Go vs Java. Golang and Java are well-known languages that have certain similarities and differences, but both have their own strong holding in the programming industry.
Both these languages are used to create robust mobile, web, and server applications. As we compare Java vs Golang, we see that Java software development has been well-established for years, and working with Go is comparatively newer. Java is known for its code reusability and flexibility while Golang is known for its simplicity and low learning curve. Organizations must analyze what they need for their business and finalize the choice.
This article focuses on understanding these languages with their pros and cons, key features, companies using them, similarities, and key differences to assist in taking a final call.
What is Java?
Java is a programming language and computing platform first released by Sun Microsystems in 1995. It has evolved from humble beginnings to power a large share of today’s digital world, by providing the reliable platform upon which many services and applications are built.
Java is a highly popular, statically typed, object-oriented, general-purpose programming language with a virtual machine that converts code into bytecode with runtime compilation. It caters to a wide variety of applications like web applications, desktop applications, mobile applications, Machine Learning applications, Internet applications, data science, etc. Java is versatile and can execute anywhere, and it offers the role of an interpreter and an error detector.
Developers find it a delight since there are multiple pre-built modules, codes, and attached libraries on top of it, which makes it simple to search for code that is written for a specified reason. It gives support for concurrent, generic, functional, and imperative programming. It offers an enriched user interface that is portable, secure, and versatile. It is cost-effective and ideal to develop different types of applications.
Go is an open-source programming language supported by Google with which you can build simple, secure, scalable systems. It is easy to learn and great for teams. There is inbuilt concurrency, a robust standard library, and a large ecosystem of partners, communities, and tools.
Go, also known as Golang, is a new, compiled, and procedural language that has static typing. This facilitates developers to create testable, lightweight code with ease. It offers concurrency control, native binaries, fast compilation, and garbage collection due to which developers find it attractive to work with. Debugging Go code is easier with inbuilt testing and benchmarking features. It is easy to create large applications with Golang.
Being a server-side programming language, Go has a similar syntax as C since it belongs to the C-family. There are goroutines, standard libraries, and robust security features that lessen complications attached to the codebase. Being a concurrent language, it is created for multicore processors, performing multiple tasks at a time. With its static typing feature, developers can easily maintain and test lightweight code in a quick manner. Go code can be reviewed and debugged quickly with its inbuilt benchmarking and testing features.
Go vs Java: It’s All About Making the Right Choice
Even though there are so many similarities between Golang vs Java, there are important differences that must be evaluated, based on different parameters such as Java vs Golang performance, security, scalability etc., prior to selection:
Parameters
Java
Golang
Overview
An object-oriented language, compiled into Java Virtual Machine
A concurrent, procedural language, compiled to native machine code
Go Vs Java Performance
Makes use of a Virtual Machine layer, slow because of JVM overhead and its virtual machine architecture.
Makes use of binary file to compile code, fast because of efficient compilation. High performance and low latency processing.
Use Cases
Simulation modeling, mobile apps, application servers, web servers, big data, embedded systems, financial organizations, trading platforms, games, IoT, edge devices, mission-critical applications, Android-based applications, software and mobile applications, etc.
GoLand, LiteIDE, Visual Studio Code, GoAudio, bot, authboss, goth, 1build, cosmos-sdk, acmd, CDS, aconfig etc.
Memory
Intense on memory utilization, presence of a traditional garbage collector managing memory
Light on memory utilization has pointers and no links for garbage collection
Ease of Learning Code
A little complex to learn to code in Java
Easy and simple to learn to code in Go
Community Support
Deep-rooted, experienced community support
Knowledgeable and expanding community support
Syntax
Verbose syntax with object-oriented features, more punctuation marks, and keywords, appropriate classes, and objects
Readable and simple syntax, with fewer punctuation marks and keywords. Easy for users, with no classes and objects.
Concurrency
Concurrency with threads, synchronized blocks, Java commands
Inbuilt support for concurrency with Goroutines, Channels, and other routines
Tooling/Libraries
Large variety of libraries and tooling
Fewer variety of libraries and tooling
Deployment
Needs JVM for deployment
Deploys with compiled binaries
Web Development
Access to ecosystems and libraries for developing web apps
Extensive support for Microservices and API for creating web apps
Generics
Supported
Not supported
Coding Speed and Style
Stable and familiar coding style with the object-oriented way
Compact and easy coding style, with accurate results
Access to Features
Vast feature list
Comparatively lesser features
Inheritance
Supported
Not supported
Mobile Development
Huge support for Android SDK and other frameworks
Limited native support for creating mobile apps
Skilled Resources
Easily available since there is a vast talent pool
Increasing day by day but relatively lesser
Security
Security manager, no pointers
Checksum database
Channel
Supported
Not supported
Classes
Supports classes with constructors and de-constructors
Does not support classes with constructors and de-constructors
Implicit Type Conversion
Supported
Not supported
Function Overloading
Supported
Not supported
Threads
Expensive threads in Java
Less expensive threads in Go
Type System
Java possesses a static type system that has no support for type inference
Go possesses a static type system that offers support for type inference
Package Management
External package management tools like Maven, Gradle, etc.
Inbuilt package management system called ‘go modules’
Go vs Java: Conclusion
Talk of the two programming titans – Go vs Java and you get to know that both are good and powerful. It is the parameters like use cases, budget constraints, skilled resources, organizational scope of work, project deadlines, etc. that can help in choosing between the two.
As we compare Go language vs Java, there are certain situations when one language is preferred over the other. Here are some such scenarios:
Java is preferred when-
Large systems are involved
You need front-end applications such as chatbots, AI apps, etc.
You want apps to execute on all modern-day browsers
You need to develop industry-based applications
There is a need for enterprise-level applications like ERP, CRM, etc.
You want to create web and mobile apps, games, etc.
Your project requires a huge number of libraries and complicated functionality
Go is preferred when-
Microservices are involved
Memory management and simplicity is needed
There is cloud-native development
Creation of Golang binaries for platforms is required
There is blockchain development, data science requirement
Your project required high level of concurrency and performance
Whichever one you choose; it is like selecting the better out of the best. What matters the most is support and guidance from an experienced IT solutions and service provider.
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Author
SPEC INDIA
SPEC INDIA, as your single stop IT partner has been successfully implementing a bouquet of diverse solutions and services all over the globe, proving its mettle as an ISO 9001:2015 certified IT solutions organization. With efficient project management practices, international standards to comply, flexible engagement models and superior infrastructure, SPEC INDIA is a customer’s delight. Our skilled technical resources are apt at putting thoughts in a perspective by offering value-added reads for all.
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