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Java VS Vala

Compare Java VS Vala and see what are their differences

Java logo Java

A concurrent, class-based, object-oriented, language specifically designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible

Vala logo Vala

Vala is a new programming language that aims to bring modern programming language features to GNOME...
  • Java Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30

We recommend LibHunt Java for discovery and comparisons of trending Java projects.

  • Vala Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-09-21

We recommend LibHunt Vala for discovery and comparisons of trending Vala projects.

Java features and specs

  • Platform Independence
    Java is known for its portability across multiple platforms via the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). This means you can write code once and run it anywhere.
  • Large Standard Library
    Java boasts a comprehensive standard library, which facilitates development by providing pre-built solutions for a wide array of programming tasks.
  • Robust and Secure
    Java emphasizes strong memory management and has built-in security features, making it a reliable choice for applications requiring high levels of security.
  • Community Support
    With a vast and active community, ample resources are available for learning and troubleshooting. Numerous libraries and frameworks are available due to its long-standing presence.
  • Performance
    Modern Java versions offer performance that is generally very good for many applications, particularly server-side applications where the Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler can significantly optimize runtime performance.

Possible disadvantages of Java

  • Verbosity
    Java's syntax can be verbose compared to newer languages, requiring more lines of code to accomplish the same tasks, which may reduce readability.
  • Memory Consumption
    Java applications can be memory-intensive due to their reliance on the JVM, which can be a downside for resource-constrained environments.
  • Performance Overhead
    Despite its generally good performance, Java's reliance on the JVM introduces some overhead compared to languages that compile to native machine code, such as C++.
  • No Low-Level Programming
    Java abstracts away from the hardware, making it less suitable for low-level programming tasks that require direct hardware manipulation, such as embedded systems programming.
  • Slow Startup Time
    Java applications can have slower startup times due to the overhead of JVM initialization, which can be a drawback for desktop applications or command-line tools that are frequently started and stopped.

Vala features and specs

  • C-like Performance
    Vala compiles to C, which allows it to have performance characteristics similar to traditional C programs, providing efficient execution.
  • GObject Integration
    Vala is designed to work seamlessly with the GObject type system used in GNOME, making it a strong choice for GNOME application development.
  • Modern Syntax
    Vala features a modern and clean syntax similar to C# and Java, making it accessible to developers familiar with these languages.
  • Automatic Memory Management
    Vala provides memory management with reference counting and automatic cleanup, reducing the overhead associated with manual memory management.
  • Native Code Generation
    Since Vala compiles down to C, it can leverage existing C toolchains and produce native code without requiring an interpreter or VM.
  • Rich Ecosystem
    Developers can leverage a rich set of GObject-based libraries available in the GNOME ecosystem, enhancing productivity and functionality.

Possible disadvantages of Vala

  • Small Community
    Vala has a relatively small user community, which can result in limited resources, support, and documentation compared to more popular languages.
  • Error Prone Bindings
    Generating and maintaining Vala bindings for C libraries can sometimes be error-prone, potentially leading to runtime issues.
  • Limited Tooling
    Compared to more mainstream languages, Vala's tooling (IDEs, debuggers, etc.) can be limited, which might slow down development.
  • Language Specific Limits
    Some language features available in more mainstream languages might be missing or limited in Vala, reducing its appeal for certain applications.
  • Dependence on C Libraries
    Vala development often involves interfacing with C libraries, which can require a solid understanding of C and GObject, adding complexity.

Analysis of Java

Overall verdict

  • Java remains a strong and relevant choice for software development, particularly in enterprise environments. It is a mature language with ongoing support and updates, ensuring it remains viable and secure for modern applications.

Why this product is good

  • Java is a versatile and powerful programming language that has been used extensively for developing a wide range of applications. It is platform-independent due to its 'write once, run anywhere' capability, thanks to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Java is known for its robustness, extensive libraries, and strong community support, making it a reliable choice for developers.

Recommended for

  • Enterprise-level applications
  • Web applications
  • Android app development
  • Scientific and research projects
  • Big data technologies

Java videos

AP Computer Science in 10 Minutes (Java review)

More videos:

  • Review - Java AP CS Exam Review
  • Review - Top Five Basic Programming Concepts of Object-Oriented Java - Six Minute Refresher!

Vala videos

Vicious Attack Llama Apocalypse Review (VALA)

More videos:

  • Review - Vicious Attack Llama Apocalypse (VALA) Xbox One X Review - Twin Stick Llama
  • Review - Steve Madden VALA PUMPS review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Java and Vala)
Programming Language
81 81%
19% 19
OOP
79 79%
21% 21
Generic Programming Language
Application And Data
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Java and Vala

Java Reviews

The 10 Best Programming Languages to Learn Today
If you want to build your career in IoT or big data, Java is arguably the best programming language to learn. Java is cross-platform compatible and offers portability and versatility to almost any type of device, making it ideal for IoT applications. The Apache Hadoop big data processing system is also written in Java.
Source: ict.gov.ge
Alternatives to Nmap: from simple to advanced network scanning
This tool can provide favorite IP address ranges, NetBIOS information and web server detection. More features can be added by installing Java plugins.

Vala Reviews

We have no reviews of Vala yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Java seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 7 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Java mentions (7)

  • Can someone help with port forwarding?
    You can use UPnP PortMapper. Source code/Download. All you need is Java and that's it. Hope this helps. Source: about 3 years ago
  • PolyGlot 3.5 Release
    I would definitely suggest installing Java for this one, and the error should have asked you to do so. I'll have to look into why that was not popping properly for you and address it in a bug fix. In the mean time, you can address the issue by going here to install Java: https://java.com/en/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • i need help pls
    Https://java.com/en/ Is this the java you're using to install optifine. When I first got optifine I thought java meant Minecraft and not java. Source: over 3 years ago
  • I keep getting this error when I try to install Worldpainter
    I had this problem before just go to https://java.com/en/ and download the java then you will have to install the actual java, then after its installed go to This PC then Windows then Program Files then Java then go to the file name file name that show I think when you downloaded it then go into bin and you will find a java.exe file then click it and World Painter will install and that's who I solved king problem... Source: almost 4 years ago
  • What to do immediately with a brand new build?
    Java, Adobe Reader, Handbrake (great for converting and adjusting videos). Source: almost 4 years ago
View more

Vala mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Vala yet. Tracking of Vala recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Java and Vala, you can also consider the following products

Python - Python is a clear and powerful object-oriented programming language, comparable to Perl, Ruby, Scheme, or Java.

Go Programming Language - Go, also called golang, is a programming language initially developed at Google in 2007 by Robert...

JavaScript - Lightweight, interpreted, object-oriented language with first-class functions

C++ - Has imperative, object-oriented and generic programming features, while also providing the facilities for low level memory manipulation

Rust - A safe, concurrent, practical language

IronPython - Development