As you research to decide whether to take Python or Javascript classes next, it will help your decision to understand how each language is used.
What is the difference between Python and Javascript?
Python is a popular language that is easy to learn and is in high demand. It is used in web development, data analysis, and machine learning.
Javascript is a scripting language with a huge presence running the internet front end.
TL;DR:
Python
- Python is a popular, high-level programming language known for its simplicity and readability.
- It is used in web development, data analysis, and machine learning.
- Python is a great language for beginners due to its simplicity and readability.
- Python’s ecosystem includes many libraries for different applications, including web development, data analysis, machine learning, and more.
- Python is widely used in web development, data analysis, machine learning, automation, and more.
- Python and JavaScript can be used together in web development, where Python typically handles backend tasks (e.g., data processing, database management, API endpoints).
JavaScript
- JavaScript is a scripting language with a huge presence on the internet front end.
- Python and Javascript are high-level, interpreted languages that are easy to learn and widely used in the software development industry.
- JavaScript is essential for web development, allowing dynamic website content and interactivity.
- JavaScript has a vast ecosystem of libraries and frameworks for web development, including jQuery, React, Angular, and Vue.
- JavaScript is commonly used in web development, mobile app development, game development, and healthcare applications.
- JavaScript handles frontend tasks in web development, such as rendering the user interface, handling user interactions, and making API calls.
Introduction to Python and Javascript
Python and Javascript are popular programming languages widely used in the software development industry.
While both languages are high-level and easy to learn, there are key differences between Python and Javascript that every aspiring programmer should be aware of.
Why People Like Python
Python is known for its simplicity and readability.
It is often praised for its clean syntax, allowing developers to write programs with fewer lines of code than other languages.
Python is widely used in web development, data analysis, and artificial intelligence.
It is particularly popular among beginner programmers due to its straightforward nature and large community support.
Why People Like Javascript
On the other hand, Javascript is primarily a client-side scripting language, which means its main purpose is to enhance the interactivity and functionality of web pages.
It is commonly used for frontend web development, enabling developers to add dynamic elements, manipulate web content, and interact with users.
However, with the advent of technologies like Node.js, Javascript can now also be used for server-side programming.
Whether you learn Python or Javascript, both languages have unique advantages and use cases.
Understanding the differences between Python and Javascript can help you decide which language is best suited for your programming goals.
How Software Engineers Use Python and Javascript
Five popular uses for Python
1. Web Development
Python is widely used for web development with frameworks like Django, Flask, and Pyramid. These frameworks allow developers to create web applications quickly and efficiently.
2. Data Analysis and Visualization
Python is a popular data analysis and visualization language with libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and Matplotlib.
Data scientists and analysts use Python to process, analyze, and visualize large datasets.
3. Machine Learning and AI
Python is a leading machine learning and artificial intelligence language with libraries like TensorFlow, Keras, and sci-kit-learn.
These libraries provide tools for building, training, and deploying machine learning models.
4. Automation and Scripting
Python is commonly used for automation and scripting tasks.
Its simple syntax and an extensive standard library make automating repetitive tasks like file management, web scraping, and system administration easy.
5. Scientific Computing
Python is used in scientific computing and research with libraries like SciPy, SymPy, and BioPython.
These libraries provide tools for numerical computation, symbolic mathematics, and bioinformatics, respectively.
Other popular uses of Python include game development, network programming, cybersecurity, and desktop application development.
Python’s versatility and ease of use make it suitable for a wide range of applications across various domains.
Five popular uses for Javascript
1. Web Development
JavaScript is primarily used in front-end web development to enhance the functionality and interactivity of websites.
Software engineers use JavaScript to create dynamic and interactive web pages, handle events like button clicks and form submissions, manipulate the Document Object Model (DOM), and make AJAX calls to fetch and display data from servers.
2. Backend Development
JavaScript is also used in backend development with technologies like Node.js.
In this case, software engineers use JavaScript to build server-side applications, handle HTTP requests, interact with databases, and implement business logic.
3. Mobile App Development
JavaScript frameworks like React Native and Ionic enable software engineers to build cross-platform mobile applications using JavaScript.
These frameworks allow engineers to write code once and deploy it on multiple platforms like iOS and Android.
4. Desktop Application Development
JavaScript frameworks like Electron enable software engineers to build desktop applications using web technologies.
Engineers can create native-like applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux using JavaScript.
5. Game Development
JavaScript is increasingly used for game development, with libraries and frameworks like Phaser and Babylon.js.
Software engineers can leverage JavaScript’s versatility to create browser-based games or build games for different platforms using game engines like Unity.
Top Features of Python and Javascript
Typical Python Features
1. Dynamic Typing
Python uses dynamic typing, which means that variables do not need to have their data type declared when they are defined.
The type of a variable can change at runtime.
2. Interpreted Language
Python code is executed by an interpreter, which means that it does not need to be compiled to run.
This makes it easier to test and debug code quickly.
3. Readability
Python’s syntax emphasizes readability, which makes it easier to understand and maintain code.
4. Batteries Included
Python comes with a large standard library that includes modules for handling files, networking, databases, regular expressions, and more.
5. Object-Oriented
Python supports object-oriented programming, which allows developers to define classes, create objects, and work with inheritance and polymorphism.
6. Extensibility
Python allows you to integrate with languages like C, C++, and Java, enabling you to use libraries and code from those languages.
7. Community Support
Python has a large and active community that contributes to the language’s development, creates libraries, and provides support.
8. Multi-Paradigm
Python supports multiple programming paradigms, including procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming.
Typical Javascript Features
1. Dynamic Typing
JavaScript variables can hold values of any data type without explicitly defining the type.
2. Object-oriented Programming
JavaScript supports object-oriented programming principles like encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.
3. Functionality for Web Browsers
JavaScript is primarily used for client-side web development, providing features like manipulating HTML and CSS, handling events, and making AJAX requests.
4. Event-driven Programming
JavaScript is designed to respond to user actions or events, allowing for interactive and dynamic web pages.
5. Prototype-based Object Orientation
Instead of using classes, JavaScript uses prototypes to create objects and inherit properties and methods.
6. First-class Functions
Functions in JavaScript are treated as first-class citizens, meaning they can be assigned to variables, passed as arguments, and returned from other functions.
7. Asynchronous Programming
JavaScript provides mechanisms like Promises and async/await syntax to handle asynchronous operations such as making network requests or accessing databases.
8. Closures
Closures allow functions to access variables from their parent scope even after the parent function has finished executing.
9. DOM Manipulation
JavaScript provides methods to interact with and manipulate a web page’s Document Object Model (DOM), allowing dynamic updates to the content and structure.
10. Error Handling
JavaScript provides built-in error handling mechanisms, including try-catch blocks, to handle and recover from runtime errors.
Pros and Cons of Python and Javascript
5 Advantages of Using Python
1. Ease of Learning
Python’s simple and readable syntax makes it an excellent choice for beginners.
2. Versatility
Python is used in many fields, including web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, and more.
3. Rich Ecosystem
Python has a vast number of libraries and frameworks that make it easier to develop applications for specific domains.
4. Portability
Python code can run on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
5. Productivity
Python’s concise syntax and high-level abstractions allow developers to write code more quickly and with fewer lines.
5 Disadvantages of Using Python
1. Performance
Python is slower than compiled languages like C and C++ because it’s interpreted.
However, performance can be improved using JIT compilers or by integrating code written in faster languages.
2. Memory Consumption
Python’s dynamic typing and garbage collection can lead to higher memory consumption than statically-typed languages.
3. Global Interpreter Lock (GIL)
Python’s GIL limits the execution of multiple threads in a single process, making it challenging to achieve true multi-threaded parallelism. However, this can be mitigated by using multi-process parallelism or libraries like Dask.
4. Deployment Complexity
Deploying Python applications can be more complex than other languages, especially when managing dependencies and system-level configurations.
5 Advantages of Using JavaScript
1. Versatility
JavaScript can be used for both front-end and back-end development, making it a versatile language.
2. Easy to learn
JavaScript has a relatively easy syntax compared to other programming languages, making it accessible for beginners.
3. Great for web development
JavaScript is the backbone of modern web development and provides dynamic and interactive elements to websites.
4. Large community and resources
JavaScript has a vast community of developers who contribute to its growth and development. This means there are plenty of resources, tutorials, and libraries for developers to use.
5. Interactivity
JavaScript allows for real-time updates and interactivity on web pages, making user experiences more engaging and dynamic.
5 Disadvantages of Using Javascript
1. Browser compatibility
JavaScript code can behave inconsistently across web browsers and versions, requiring additional testing and adjustments.
2. Security concerns
JavaScript can be vulnerable to security threats such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and can be used maliciously if not properly secured.
3. Limited control over system resources
Unlike other programming languages, JavaScript has limited control over system resources such as memory and file handling.
4. Performance issues
JavaScript can sometimes be slower than low-level languages due to its interpreted nature.
5. Lack of strong typing
JavaScript is a dynamically typed language, meaning variable types can change during runtime. This can lead to subtle bugs and make code harder to debug and maintain.
Python and Javascript Libraries
important Python libraries
1. os: Operating System Library
The os library provides easy file manipulation and directory navigation.
This code shows the os library providing the current working directory.
import os
current_dir = os.getcwd()
print(“Current directory:”, current_dir)
2. sys: System Library
The sys library provides command-line arguments for functions that are specific to the current system.
The following Python code shows how to print command-line arguments:
import sys
print(“Command-line arguments:”, sys.argv)
3. math: Math Library
The math library provides Python with mathematical functions and constants.
This code shows how to calculate the factorial of a number:
import math
factorial = math.factorial(5)
print(“Factorial of 5:”, factorial)
4. datetime: DateTime Library
The datetime library provides Python with date and time manipulation.
This code shows how to get the current date and time:
from datetime import datetime
current_time = datetime.now()
print(“Current date and time:”, current_time)
5. re: Regular Expression Library
The re library allows Python to work with regular expressions. Here is how to find all occurrences of a pattern in a string using Python and the re library:
import re
pattern = r”\d+” # Matches one or more digits
text = “There are 3 apples and 5 oranges.”
matches = re.findall(pattern, text)
print(“Matches:”, matches)
6. json: JSON Library
The json library works with JSON data.
This is how the json library loads a JSON string into a Python dictionary:
import json
json_string = ‘{“name”: “John”, “age”: 30, “city”: “New York”}’
data = json.loads(json_string)
print(“Data:”, data)
important Javascript Libraries
1. jQuery
JQuery is a fast, small, and feature-rich Javascript library that simplifies DOM manipulation and event handling.
// Change the text of the element with the id “example”
$(“#example”).text(“Hello, jQuery!”);
2. React
React is a Javascript library for building user interfaces, particularly for single-page applications. It allows developers to create reusable UI components.
import React from ‘react’;
function App() {
return (
<div className=”App”>
<h1>Hello, React!</h1>
</div>
);
}
export default App;
3. D3.js
D3 is a JavaScript library for producing dynamic, interactive data visualizations in web browsers.
import * as d3 from “d3”;
// Create a simple bar chart
const svg = d3.select(“body”).append(“svg”).attr(“width”, 500).attr(“height”, 300);
const data = [4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42];
svg.selectAll(“rect”)
.data(data)
.enter().append(“rect”)
.attr(“x”, (d, i) => i * 30)
.attr(“y”, d => 300 – d * 10)
.attr(“width”, 25)
.attr(“height”, d => d * 10);
4. Three.js
Three is a cross-browser JavaScript library to create and display animated 3D computer graphics in a web browser.
import * as THREE from “three”;
const scene = new THREE.Scene();
const camera = new THREE.PerspectiveCamera(75, window.innerWidth / window.innerHeight, 0.1, 1000);
const renderer = new THREE.WebGLRenderer();
renderer.setSize(window.innerWidth, window.innerHeight);
document.body.appendChild(renderer.domElement);
const geometry = new THREE.BoxGeometry();
const material = new THREE.MeshBasicMaterial({ color: 0x00ff00 });
const cube = new THREE.Mesh(geometry, material);
scene.add(cube);
camera.position.z = 5;
function animate() {
requestAnimationFrame(animate);
cube.rotation.x += 0.01;
cube.rotation.y += 0.01;
renderer.render(scene, camera);
}
animate();
4. Vue.js
Vue is a progressive framework for building user interfaces. Vue is designed to be incrementally adoptable.
// Create a new Vue instance
const app = new Vue({
el: “#app”,
data: {
message: “Hello, Vue!”
}
});
HTML:
<div id=”app”>
<p>{{ message }}</p>
</div>
Python and Javascript Extensibility to C, C++, and Java
You can augment Python and Javascript with C, C++, and Java code.
This is especially helpful when speed and efficiency at execution are more important than Python’s ease of coding.
Reasons to Extend Python or Javascript with C, C++, or Java
1. Performance Improvement
C, C++, and Java are compiled languages that generally offer better performance than Python, an interpreted language.
Integrating these languages can significantly speed up performance-critical sections of your code.
2. Leveraging Existing Libraries
Many mature and optimized libraries are available in C, C++, and Java.
You can integrate these libraries in your Python projects with these languages.
3. Code Reusability
If you have existing C, C++, or Java code, you can reuse it in your Python projects without having to rewrite it.
4. Interoperability
If you’re working in a multi-language environment or need to interact with systems written in other languages, integrating Python with C, C++, or Java can be essential.
Ways to Integrate C, C++, and Java with Python
1. ctypes
ctypes is aforeign function interface that allows calling functions from shared libraries written in C and defining C data types in Python using the ctypes module.
2. Cython
Cython is a programming language that makes it easy to write C extensions for Python. It allows Python code to be compiled into C, improving performance and enabling the use of C libraries.
3. SWIG (Simplified Wrapper and Interface Generator)
SWIG is a tool that generates wrapper code to expose C and C++ functions to Python.
4. Boost.Python
Boost is a library that enables seamless interoperability between C++ and Python, making it easier to wrap C++ classes and functions for use in Python.
5. Python/C API
python/C API is a low-level API that allows C code to interact directly with Python objects and interpreters.
6. Jython
Jython is an implementation of Python that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). It allows Python code to seamlessly interact with Java classes and libraries.
7. JPype
JPye is a library that allows Python code to run alongside Java, making it possible to use Java classes and libraries directly from Python.
Ways to Integrate C, C++, and Java with Javascript
1. WebAssembly
WebAssembly (Wasm) is a binary instruction format that allows code written in C and C++ to run in the browser.
With WebAssembly, you can compile C/C++ code into a .wasm format and then run it from JavaScript.
This allows performance-intensive operations to be offloaded to compiled code, which can run faster than pure JavaScript.
2. Node.js
Node.js allows you to write server-side native Javascript addons using C and C++.
The addons compile into dynamically linked shared objects imported through the require() function, just as you would use it for Javascript modules.
3. Java Applets (Deprecated)
Historically, Java applets were used to run Java code in the browser alongside JavaScript.
However, they have been deprecated and are not in use anymore due to various security and performance concerns.
4. GraalVM
GraalVM is a high-performance runtime that provides support for various languages, including Java, JavaScript, and Python.
With GraalVM, you can interoperate between these languages quite seamlessly.
5. PyV8 and PyNode
PyV8 and PyNode allow interoperability between Python and JavaScript. Use these tools to run Javascript from within Python.
Is Python More Like PHP or Javascript?
Python’s syntax is unique and distinct from PHP and JavaScript, but it shares some similarities with both languages due to the common influence of C.
However, among the two, Python’s syntax is more similar to JavaScript than PHP.
Comparison of Python to Javascript and PHP
Here’s a comparison of some key syntactic features:
| Table: Comparison of Python, Javascript, and PHP Concepts | |||
| Python | Javascript | PHP | |
| Variables | no type declaration | no type declaration | prefix variables with the dollar sign ($) |
| Declare a Function | use def | use function | use function |
| Loops | for item in interable | for (init; condition; increment) | for (init; condition; increment) |
| Define Blocks | indentation | Curly braces | Curly braces |
| Arrays | lists | arrays | arrays |
| Objects | dictionaries | objects | associative arrays |
| Example | def greet(name): return f“Hello, {name}!” | function greet(name) { return `Hello, ${name}!`; } | function greet($name) { return “Hello, “ . $name . “!”; } |
Python Usage vs. Javascript and PHP
Python is primarily used forbackend development, data analysis, machine learning, artificial intelligence, scientific computing, and automation. It’s also used for web development (with frameworks like Django and Flask) and desktop applications.
JavaScript is primarily used for front-end web development, allowing for dynamic and interactive web pages. With the advent of Node.js, it’s also used for backend development.
PHP is primarily used for server-side web development, including creating dynamic web pages. It’s known for its role in the LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) stack. It’s also used for general-purpose scripting and command-line scripts.
Python Execution vs. Javascript and PHP
Python runs on a wide range of platforms, including servers, desktops, and embedded systems. It’s an interpreted language executed by the Python interpreter.
JavaScript runs mainly in web browsers, executed by the browser’s JavaScript engine. With Node.js, it can also run on servers.
PHP runs on the server side, executed by the PHP interpreter. Most web servers support it and can be embedded in HTML or used as a standalone script.
Python Syntax vs. Javascript and PHP
Python has clean and readable syntax, which emphasizes code readability. It uses indentation to define code blocks.
JavaScript has a C-like syntax, using curly braces to define code blocks. It’s more verbose than Python.
PHP has a C-like syntax, using curly braces to define code blocks. Its syntax is more verbose than Python’s but similar to JavaScript’s.
Python Concurrency vs. Javascript and PHP
Python uses a Global Interpreter Lock (GIL), which allows only one thread to execute at a time in a single process. Concurrency is achieved using multi-process parallelism or asynchronous programming.
JavaScript is single-threaded, using an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model for concurrency. It relies on callbacks, promises, and async/await for asynchronous programming.
PHP is primarily single-threaded, but it can handle multiple requests by creating separate processes or threads for each request. The PHP extension pthreads provides multi-threading capabilities but is not commonly used in web development.
Python Object Orientation vs. Javascript and PHP
Python supports class-based object-oriented programming with inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation features. It also supports multiple inheritance.
JavaScript uses prototype-based inheritance, where objects can inherit properties and methods from other objects. With ES6, it introduced class syntax, but it’s still prototype-based under the hood.
PHP supports class-based object-oriented programming with inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation features. It doesn’t support multiple inheritance directly, but it offers traits as a workaround.
Python Libraries vs. Javascript and PHP
Python comes with a rich standard library (“batteries included”) that provides modules for a wide range of functionalities. It also has a vast ecosystem of third-party packages available through PyPI.
JavaScript doesn’t have a standard library as extensive as Python’s. However, it has a massive ecosystem of third-party libraries and packages available through npm (Node Package Manager).
PHP comes with a rich standard library that provides functions and modules for various functionalities, such as database access, file handling, and string manipulation. The PHP community also provides a wide range of third-party packages available through Composer and Packagist.
Python Typing vs. Javascript and PHP
Python is dynamically typed, allowing variables to change their type at runtime. With Python 3.5+, optional static typing was introduced using type hints.
JavaScript is dynamically and weakly typed, allowing implicit coercion, which can lead to unexpected behavior.
PHP is dynamically typed, allowing variables to change their type at runtime. PHP 7 introduced scalar type declarations and return type declarations, allowing for optional static typing. PHP 8 introduced union types and attributes, providing more flexibility and information in type declarations.
Major Industries that Use Python and Javascript
Top five industries that frequently use Python
1. Technology and Software Development
Tech companies and software developers use Python for web development, mobile app development, and backend services. Popular tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Netflix use Python extensively in their tech stacks.
2. Finance and Fintech
Python is used in finance for risk analysis, portfolio optimization, algorithmic trading, and financial modeling. Many fintech startups and established financial institutions use Python to develop applications and analyze financial data.
3. Healthcare and Biotech
Python is used in healthcare for data analysis, medical imaging, and bioinformatics. Researchers and biotech companies use Python to analyze genetic data, model biological systems, and develop healthcare applications.
4. Education and Research
Python is widely used in education and research for its simplicity and ease of learning. Many universities and research institutions use Python for scientific computing, data analysis, and teaching programming.
5. Data Science and Analytics
Python is a popular language for data science and analytics. Companies across various industries use Python to analyze data, develop machine learning models, and derive insights from data.
top five industries that frequently use Javascript
1. Web Development
JavaScript is a fundamental technology for web development for front-end and back-end development. It’s used to create interactive, dynamic, and responsive websites. Almost every company with an online presence uses JavaScript in some form, from small startups to large corporations.
2. E-commerce
JavaScript is heavily used in the e-commerce industry to create interactive and user-friendly online shopping platforms. It’s used for features like shopping carts, product filters, and payment processing.
3. Finance and Banking
Many financial institutions and fintech companies use JavaScript for their web applications, mobile apps, and online banking platforms. It’s used for features like real-time data visualization, trading platforms, and secure online transactions.
4. Gaming
JavaScript is used to develop browser-based games, mobile games, and even some desktop games. With technologies like WebGL and WebAssembly, developers can create high-performance 3D games directly in the browser.
5. Healthcare
Many healthcare organizations use JavaScript to develop web applications for patient management, electronic health records, and telemedicine platforms. It’s also used in medical research for data visualization and analysis.
4 Ways to Use Python with Javascript
Python and JavaScript are often used together, especially in web development, where Python is typically used for backend development and JavaScript for frontend development. In such cases, the following combinations are commonly seen
1. Django + Vanilla JavaScript/jQuery
Django is a popular web framework for Python, and it’s often paired with Vanilla JavaScript (plain JavaScript without any libraries) or jQuery for front-end development.
Django provides tools for building web applications, while jQuery simplifies DOM manipulation and event handling.
2. Flask + React/Angular/Vue
Flask is a lightweight web framework for Python, and it’s frequently used with modern JavaScript libraries like React, Angular, or Vue for front-end development.
Flask is the backend API, while the JavaScript libraries handle the user interface and user interactions.
3. FastAPI + React/Angular/Vue
FastAPI is a modern, fast web framework for building APIs with Python. It’s often paired with JavaScript libraries like React, Angular, or Vue for front-end development.
4. Pyramid + React/Angular/Vue
Pyramid is another web framework for Python, and it’s used with JavaScript libraries like React, Angular, or Vue for front-end development.
In these combinations, Python handles server-side tasks such as data processing, database management, and API endpoints, while JavaScript handles client-side tasks such as rendering the user interface, handling user interactions, and making API calls.
Conclusion
Python and JavaScript are both versatile, high-level languages with widespread use.
Python is highly regarded for its simplicity, readability, and diverse applications in web development, data analysis, and machine learning.
JavaScript is essential for web development, enabling dynamic website content and interactivity.
Each language has its own strengths and is suited for different tasks.
Python is well-suited for data analysis, machine learning, and backend web development, thanks to its readability and the availability of numerous libraries for different applications.
JavaScript excels in front-end web development, mobile app development, and game development, with a vast ecosystem of libraries and frameworks.
Python and JavaScript can be combined to create powerful web applications.
Python and JavaScript are often used together in web development, where Python handles backend tasks such as data processing, database management, and API endpoints, while JavaScript handles frontend tasks like rendering the user interface, handling user interactions, and making API calls.
