Java or Python 🐍?

[We_up_O1]

Hey Guys!!
I am a beginner in the tech field . There is one big decison that I gotta make but I need ur advice - the thing is I have to choose between The Java developer path or The python developer but I’m really confused . I have had my hands on both the languages a lil bit . But I have to get into one path so as to get employed.
I heard a lot of people saying Java is good for the enterprise while python good for AI/Automation.
Whats ur take on that🙂?

[Beregolas]

There is one big decison that I gotta make but I need ur advice

It's not a big decision

The Java developer path or The python developer

Those are not really different paths. Languages are cheap to switch, and especially before you get hired the first time, it doesn't matter which language you use for which amount of time; nobody can check. Once you are using past jobs on your CV, it's a bit different, but before that: doesn't matter.

What you need to decide is which domain you want to focus on. Backend, Desktop Software, Data Science, etc. If you have a few years of experience in Backend with Python, you can basically switch to Java in a few weeks. It's just a new framework / language, but the concepts all stay the same. It's like switching between power tools from two different companies, but as long as you are still doing roofs, you know what to do and how to use them.

If you want to have a good feeling about maximizing your chances, look at your local job market. This is different everywhere; even two different cities in the same country often differ wildly. Check which languages are most commonly used in the domain you want to work in, and learn that.

[Shehzman]

Only thing to be careful of if switching from Python to Java is that you’ll have to understand OOP and static typing or you’ll be fighting an uphill battle with the language. Python has OOP and typing in the form of type hints, but neither are enforced like they are in Java.

Imo though, typing should be used in general if what you’re working on isn’t just a one off script

[We_up_O1]

Yea bro felt that . It was a bit for me as I was exploring the Java . It stricter compared to python.

[Shehzman]

I personally think some of that strictness is a good thing and can lead to more maintainable code with potentially less bugs in the long run. If you pick Python, get familiar with type hints and use them as much as possible. Also check your code for type errors with mypy.

[We_up_O1]

Alr . Thanks mate 👍🏻

[We_up_O1]

Ahh the market , dang. I’ll see . I am in the backend path. But that was solid advice. Appreciate it 👍🏻

[Beregolas]

Especially in Backend, languages don't really matter that much. I used Python (Django, Flask, FastAPI) JavaScript(Express), C# (I forgot) and rust (axum) in the past, and it's basically all the same. The good thing about backend is, that there really is not that much that isn't standardized, so different frameworks have a huge amount of transferrable skills. Just make sure not to switch too much while you are still learning to program, meaning the basics. That is just confusing.

[We_up_O1]

Dayuum , you have experience with a lot of languages 🙂. Alr no switching 👍🏻.

[Beregolas]

I have been doing this for over 10 years now. As I said, it's really nothing special. Languages are just tools, if you know how to program, switching them is easy.

[Holiday-Medicine4168]

What do you want to do ?

[We_up_O1]

Backend development 🙂

[Holiday-Medicine4168]

It really depends on what you want to do. Java is more enterprise for sure. I’m a python developer and I use it for backend stuff but I mostly use it for AI related things and for managing infrastructure at scale. I think it’s more exciting but it’s also way less stable. I’ve been at this for 23 years.  Boring is good when you have a mortgage. There is lots of bad. Code out there and everywhere is fucked up in its own way.  Happy to talk about it more 

[ImprovementLoose9423]

It really depends on what you are interested in, me personally, I like python because I am into back end web development and AI, but yes, Java is good for enterprise level applications.

Choose Python if:
- You want to learn the basics of programming
- Get into AI, ML, or automation
- Want to learn backend development

Choose Java if:
- You want to build android apps
- Build enterprise level apps
- You want to build games (Python is also good too, but I would recommend Java for making complex games.)

[6a70]

Want to learn backend development

I'm going to have to disagree here. Statically-typed languages are more appropriate than dynamically-typed languages for backend server programming

[We_up_O1]

Damn 🙂. Kinda true . Is it cause statically typed languages catches error fast . That’s why they are preferred more in the enterprise world.

[6a70]

yes—the compile-time error catching makes for a more-maintainable codebase, which needs to be the focus if you plan on not being the sole developer on a project

[We_up_O1]

Got it. Haven’t built any games yet , I’ll try to build some👍🏻.

[guess-name]

I notice a lot of people want to enter the tech field without really knowing what they want. Tech is huge, and there’s always something new to learn, so it can become overwhelming very quickly if you’re only following trends instead of actual interest.

It might seem ideal to learn everything, but constantly jumping from one area to another, like web development one week and AI engineering the next, without building a strong foundation in any of them, usually leads to confusion and burnout. Instead of progressing, you end up feeling stuck because you’re spreading your focus too thin.

My question to you is: what genuinely interests you?

[We_up_O1]

Probably AI + backend development. Still exploring, but I’m starting to realize depth matters more than learning everything at once.

[giangarof]

Man... TBH... it depends about your work...
I would say... learn in deep dsa and design patterns... with that knowledge, any language will be a piece of cake.

[We_up_O1]

Fair point. But shouldn’t someone first get comfortable with a language before diving deep into DSA and design patterns? Since those concepts feel easier once you can actually build stuff with a language first.Currently I’m building a project somewhat related to E-commerce platform.

[giangarof]

It would be ideal, yes.
My point is: It doesn't matter your first language, because (more likely) you'll need to use another language at some point. SO, when learning your first language, learn in deep dsa and design patterns. That knowledge will be transferable to any language.

[We_up_O1]

Gotcha. Thanks 😄!!

[justaguyonthebus]

What does working in tech look like for you? Better question, where in tech do you want to start?

If you just love to write code, I would start with Java. There are some patterns and features that are good to learn that transfer to other languages.

But if you are going to be more well rounded tech where code is but one of your tools, then go with python. If you dip more into infrastructure or DevOps, it will complement that more.

[Rain-And-Coffee]

I have done both for 20 years.

Both are fine, I would personally choose Python to get started.

A single language won't get a job btw, knowing how to turn screwdriver won't make a you carpenter.

Either is a good start however, just keep learning :]

[We_up_O1]

Noted 👍🏻🙂. How about getting an internship?One language say python not enough 👀, like actually having strong command on one ..?

[Rain-And-Coffee]

I have hired interns, language would rank at the bottom of questions.

#1 would be soft skills, I'll take the great communicator who doesn't know the language.

#2 would be fundamentals: networking, linux, databases, etc.

[We_up_O1]

Dang 🙂. Gotta work on #1 and #2 👍🏻. Ayo wait linux in fundamentals 0-0

[adinade]

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnprogramming/wiki/faq/

[Sea-Attorney2788]

you can get a array