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Python VS Scala Lang

Compare Python VS Scala Lang and see what are their differences

Python logo Python

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

Scala Lang logo Scala Lang

Scala is a pure-bred object-oriented language that runs on the JVM
  • Python Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-17

  • Scala Lang Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-28

Python features and specs

  • Easy to Learn
    Python syntax is clear and readable, which makes it an excellent choice for beginners and allows for quick learning and prototyping.
  • Versatile
    Python can be used for web development, data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, and more, making it a highly versatile programming language.
  • Large Standard Library
    Python comes with a comprehensive standard library that includes modules and packages for various tasks, reducing the need to write code from scratch.
  • Strong Community Support
    Python has a large and active community, which means a wealth of third-party packages, tutorials, and documentation is available for assistance.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Python is compatible with major operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing for easy development and deployment across different platforms.
  • Good for Rapid Development
    The high-level nature of Python allows for quick development cycles and fast iteration, which is ideal for startups and prototyping.

Possible disadvantages of Python

  • Performance Limitations
    Python is generally slower than compiled languages like C or Java because it is an interpreted language, which can be a drawback for performance-critical applications.
  • Global Interpreter Lock (GIL)
    The GIL in CPython, the most used Python interpreter, prevents multiple native threads from executing Python bytecodes at once, limiting multi-threading capabilities.
  • Memory Consumption
    Python can be more memory-intensive compared to some other languages, which might be a concern for applications with tight memory constraints.
  • Mobile Development
    Python is not a primary choice for mobile app development, where languages like Java, Swift, or Kotlin are more commonly used.
  • Runtime Errors
    Being a dynamically typed language, Python code can sometimes lead to runtime errors that would be caught at compile-time in statically typed languages.
  • Dependency Management
    Managing dependencies in Python projects can sometimes be complex and cumbersome, especially when dealing with conflicting versions of libraries.

Scala Lang features and specs

  • Functional Programming
    Scala supports functional programming paradigms, allowing developers to write concise and expressive code using features like higher-order functions, immutable data structures, and lazy evaluation.
  • Interoperability with Java
    Scala runs on the JVM and provides seamless interoperability with Java, enabling the use of Java libraries and frameworks within Scala applications.
  • Expressive Syntax
    Scala's syntax is designed to be concise and expressive, which can lead to more readable and maintainable code compared to some other languages.
  • Strong Type System
    The strong static type system in Scala helps catch errors at compile time, which can improve reliability and enable robust software design.
  • Scalability
    Scala's design facilitates scalability of applications, making it a popular choice for building high-performance systems.
  • Community and Libraries
    Scala has a thriving community and a growing ecosystem of libraries and tools, which enhances the development experience and productivity.

Possible disadvantages of Scala Lang

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Scala's rich feature set and flexible syntax can be seen as complex and overwhelming for beginners, which might result in a steep learning curve.
  • Compilation Speed
    The compilation times for Scala can be significantly longer compared to some other languages, impacting development speed.
  • Tooling and IDE Support
    While Scala's tooling and IDE support have improved over the years, they can still lag behind those available for more mainstream languages like Java or Python.
  • Binary Compatibility
    Scala can face issues with binary compatibility between different versions, which may cause problems when upgrading dependencies in a project.
  • Smaller Talent Pool
    The availability of Scala developers is generally smaller than that of more popular languages, which might pose challenges in recruiting and team expansion.

Python videos

Creator of Python Programming Language, Guido van Rossum | Oxford Union

Scala Lang videos

No Scala Lang videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Python and Scala Lang)
Programming Language
87 87%
13% 13
OOP
87 87%
13% 13
Generic Programming Language
Text Editors
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 Python and Scala Lang

Python Reviews

Pine Script Alternatives: A Comprehensive Guide to Trading Indicator Languages
Technical analysis in trading has come a long way, with various programming languages emerging to support traders in developing custom indicators. While Pine Script has been a popular choice for many, alternatives like Indie, ThinkScript, NinjaScript, MetaQuotes Language (MQL), and even general-purpose languages like Python and C++ are gaining traction. Let’s explore these...
Source: medium.com
Top 5 Most Liked and Hated Programming Languages of 2022
No wonder Python is one of the easiest programming languages to work upon. This general-purpose programming language finds immense usage in the field of web development, machine learning applications, as well as cutting-edge technology in the software industry. The fact that Python is used by major tech giants such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, etc. is good enough proof as to...
Top 10 Rust Alternatives
This programming langue is typed statically and operates on a complied system. It works based on several computing languages Python, Ada, and Modula.
15 data science tools to consider using in 2021
Python is the most widely used programming language for data science and machine learning and one of the most popular languages overall. The Python open source project's website describes it as "an interpreted, object-oriented, high-level programming language with dynamic semantics," as well as built-in data structures and dynamic typing and binding capabilities. The site...
The 10 Best Programming Languages to Learn Today
Python's variety of applications make it a powerful and versatile language for different use cases. Python-based web development frameworks like Django and Flask are gaining popularity fast. It's also equipped with quality machine learning and data analysis tools like Scikit-learn and Pandas.
Source: ict.gov.ge

Scala Lang Reviews

We have no reviews of Scala Lang yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Python seems to be a lot more popular than Scala Lang. While we know about 288 links to Python, we've tracked only 5 mentions of Scala Lang. 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.

Python mentions (288)

  • A Beginner's Guide to Auto-Instrumenting a Flask App with OpenTelemetry and SigNoz
    If Python is not installed, download it from python.org or use your system's package manager (e.g., sudo apt install python3 on Ubuntu). - Source: dev.to / 25 days ago
  • Scraping Infinite Scroll Pages with a 'Load More' Button: A Step-by-Step Guide
    Python Installed: Download and install the latest Python version from python.org, including pip during setup. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Get Started with Python
    First, you'll need to install Python if you don't have it already. Go to the official Python website python.org, download the latest version, and follow the instructions. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Unlocking DuckDB from Anywhere - A Guide to Remote Access with Apache Arrow and Flight RPC (gRPC)
    Python: We’ll use Python for it’s simplicity and accessibility. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Python Packaging is Great Now: `uv` is all you need
    Bootstrapping was an often neglected problem. Should we tell people to install Python from https://python.org? The Anaconda distribution? How do we stop folks from using their system package manager and risk breaking everything? - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
View more

Scala Lang mentions (5)

  • how to setup scala
    I have a new windows 10 and downloaded the Coursier installer from scala-lang.org, the https://docs.scala-lang.org/getting-started/index.html says that you should have either java8 or java11 installed but most tutorials online and posts says to install latest version of java, which java jdk version should I install or does Coursier install it for me or do I choose the latest jdk (java-jdk-19)? Source: over 2 years ago
  • [NEWBIE] Problem with the very first project (Coursier installer, Win 10, Java 8)
    Try manually installing sbt without coursier. The instructions are on https://scala-lang.org. Source: over 2 years ago
  • The “Either” Issue
    I had met the core developers, we had discussing a lot about which technology would better address our demand and, after many considerations, we had chosen Scala. - Source: dev.to / about 3 years ago
  • Next programming language?
    I like scala. It combines object-oriented and functional programming into one high-level language, which makes it fun to learn. I don't know if it is popular in the robotics industry, but it runs on the jvm and can be combined with java, so there is that. I recommend the book "programming scala". Source: over 3 years ago
  • 25 years of OCaml
    Scala with the Typelevel ecosystem. Stay on the jVM, but have a much more pleasant and robust experience, including a great REPL. Source: almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Python and Scala Lang, you can also consider the following products

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

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

Rust - A safe, concurrent, practical language

Haskell - An advanced purely-functional programming language

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

Elixir - Dynamic, functional language designed for building scalable and maintainable applications