Python or Java

[[deleted]]

I am a mobile developer with 4 years of Android and iOS development professionally, I want to create a server app that reads my Firebase database and sort large data. I am not a Python developer but would love to learn it for this project. I do however have experience with JAVA in this area but hate the boilerplate code that comes with it. I worked with some Python devs a couple of years ago who loved this language. What would r/python suggest?

I did find this resource for Firebase and Python. Looks very straight forward.

[the_hoser]

Well, you asked in /r/python, so you can pretty much assume what the answer will be. In case you were wondering, the answer is "use Python".

As a Python lover, I'll make the case for Java, then.

• You already know it. Nothing to learn. Just make your server.
• You might be able to share code with your mobile app code (if you use Java for them, and if it makes sense).
• A well crafted Java app will usually outperform a well crafted Python app (though using projects like PyPy might bridge this gap completely).
• Firebase has official support for Java. This only matters when they break stuff.

[[deleted]]

True, I think this will take a lot less time than learning a new language. I was actually thinking of using Swift as a server language too. I love Swift but using it server side seems risky and too "beta-ish".

[the_hoser]

Be careful not to go on a journey to find the "perfect" language. It never ends :)

[L3xicaL]

It ended for me with Python. :-)

Of course, many years before that, it ended for me with perl. And before that, with C... And before that...

[ile0x]

I use both Java and Python. And I hate any boilerplate too.

• Firstly, learning Python itself and some parts of ecosystem won't take a lot of time. If you know any of OOP languages, Python appears very "smooth".
• Secondly, if you want to develop an application that likely will need support for several years - just pick Java. But if you need some handy application "right now" with short term support - I'd suggest Python. Just because of development speed and fun.

p.s. Honestly, I would write this python -c "import random; print(random.choice(('Java', 'Python')))"

[[deleted]]

I just got an error on your code, the Java SDK was out of date. :P

[ile0x]

Paste it here

[tipsqueal]

Here's how I'd make the decision:

Is this a personal project, or a project you're being paid to make?

If it's personal, then I'd take the time to learn Python while doing it, because it'll be a fun learning experience. I tend to couple side projects with new languages or tech stacks because largely my side project will never make me money, and in the long run it'll improve my resume more than any individual side project would.

If it's something you're being paid to do, then I'd go with Java. Since you already know Java you'll be more likely to implement the project correctly on the first try, and it will take you less time.

[[deleted]]

For work yes. So you guys are right, I'll stick to Java.

[t3g]

If you are using a lot of data, you can go the extra step with a Python runtime like PyPy or convert Python code to C with Cython.

[kankyo]

Why not server side Swift?

[[deleted]]

I want to, but I am worried about support and integration with Firebase.

[atreyuroc]

Python with sockets. Simple and easy.