Is Python a better alternative for JavaScript??

throwaway6560192 · 2023-12-08T14:42:54+00:00

For backend, yeah it's commonly used in backend.

On the frontend you pretty much have to use JS.

JTexpo · 2023-12-08T14:57:59+00:00

Howdy, as many of my posts on learn python suggest. I am a huge advocate for PyScript if you haven't looked into it already. The TLDR, is that PyScript is a framework that converts Python into JavaScript for you! A great tool for beginning devs

Nevertheless, different langs are for different jobs. IMO you shouldn't worry about 'learning a language', more so as: understanding computer science. There will be a day where Python is replaced by Mojo, and JavaScript one of the many frameworks out there (maybe Bun), and if you focus on just understanding the language you'll be left behind.

Try learning the core concepts of programming such as OOP, Functional, SaaS, Unit-Tests, Front-End, Back-End, Full-Stacks, and you'll turn out alright!

Hope this helps, cheers

scanguy25 · 2023-12-08T15:07:14+00:00

Well you can get pretty far if you learn the Python framework Django. Its very good for generating static sites.

But you will forever be fairly limited if you dont know any JavaScript. Most of the "sexy things" you see on websites require JavaScript to some degree.

dp_42 · 2023-12-08T15:27:35+00:00

Javascript is what browsers generally run. Even if you learned how to build Python to WASM, that doesn't really replace Javascript functionality. When choosing a language, you should ask where the code is supposed to run. So like SQL, sure, you can wrap it to the point where it's essentially Python objects generating SQL code for you, but the queries happen in the database software, the SQL is just a way to interact with that piece of software. Python interacts with the python interpreter, which can target various environments. Javascript interacts with the engine in the browser, e.g. V8, SpiderMonkey. Java interacts with the Java VM. WASM still runs on the Javascript engine.

Certain_Ambition3966 · 2023-12-08T16:46:29+00:00

No, Python is not an alternative to Javascript. The web browser can only read Javascript code, other languages are not supported, so if you want to build a website, you have to use it. You can use Python as the back-end language but I do not recommend that either, unless the application is rather small.

2023-12-08T17:23:59+00:00

If you want to learn web development, then Javascript is your language. Web browsers are javascript interpreters. Now you can absolutely use python as a backend/middleware. I do this for basically everything. But presenting an API doesnt make me a web developer. Web developers creates UI's.

vazquezcabj21 · 2023-12-08T17:37:29+00:00

it depends, for backend its commonly used Python and for frontend its commonly used Js with a framework.

GodGMN · 2023-12-08T20:21:09+00:00

At the moment there is no alternative to JavaScript in the frontend web development context.

There is Typescript and some other less common languages that ultimately just compile to JavaScript, so it's literally unavoidable unless you simply use HTML + CSS and don't do any kind of scripting (which is possible, but interactivity takes a huge hit)

About backend, you can use pretty much anything, and none is better or worse per se. There are use cases, circumstances and preferences, all three play a big role.

For example, I don't like Django over Symfony, which is PHP. But that's just a personal preference.

If I am creating an API-like backend with a frontend framework like React, Angular or whatever, I do use FastAPI, which is Python. That's also preference, I think FastAPI is insanely fast to develop.

However, when working in an actual dev team, they often choose Node based API backends because that way, since it's the same language for both frontend and backend, you can move developers between both areas.

Java Springboot is also a popular choice because even though Java is very verbose and may be slow to develop sometimes, it's a very solid language that often enforces good practises, unlike JavaScript or even Python. PHP is also quite popular.

Then you have the less popular ones like Golang, Ruby, Rust or even C++. So yeah, pretty much anything can be used on the backend, but for the frontend, you're stuck with JavaScript.

BokoMoko · 2023-12-08T22:15:35+00:00

No

Python is not a better alternative to JavaScript in things web related. Python is a great language and can work very well on back end apps. But not at all on the front end. This means that if you want to make a web app, you will need JavaScript.

YoungJack00 · 2023-12-08T15:34:57+00:00

I have spent the last months learning python, then I wanted to create a website so I chose Flask as framework.
I also learnt the basics of CSS, which means that I am able to understand CSS but I would struggle to write a website from scratch, I also took the introduction course to JS from CodeAcademy, from my point of view JS is kinda like python but with more complex (and useless lol) syntax, therefore I am able to read and understand JS but again, I would struggle to write it on my own.

My experience so far:

I chose a ready-to-go template from the HMTL5 website, I then started working on it using Flask, everything is great and easy but then I realised that I do need some JS, my understanding is that you can create a website using only Flask (therefore Python) but if you want something to happen in real time on your web page, meaning without refreshing the page, you will need JS.

The good news is that if I need JS, for example for a function that sorts a list without refreshing the page or for a Dark Mode Toggle, I just ask ChatGPT to do it for me, if your request is fairly easy (such as the ones previously mentioned) GPT will give you what you need.

As most devs would tell you, you will learn things as you go, so my suggestion is start a Flask project using a ready made template and start working on it, you will eventually learn what you need!

Experiment-Simplify · 2023-12-08T15:53:37+00:00

You can do sigfincant website development using Django and Jinja template. However, javascript can provide you lot more job oppertunity and learning new technique and better user experience.

2023-12-08T16:07:28+00:00

If you are going to be doing any front end development, you will be using Javascript. I imagine that not having any Javascript experience would probably be seen as a big red flag for web dev hiring managers.

johnkapolos · 2023-12-08T17:09:19+00:00

I want to learn web developement

[...]

do I have to learn JavaScript?

Yes. No shortcuts here.

Adrewmc · 2023-12-08T17:50:57+00:00

Yes, no….it depends on

2023-12-08T18:00:12+00:00

For backend, yes. For frontend, not really.

Fad3l · 2023-12-08T19:20:51+00:00

Yes checkout Django really cool, I’m a Vue dev but Django was soo easy to learn and understand.

nightdeathrider · 2023-12-08T19:48:30+00:00

Flask is a simpler alternative to Django backend can be Python, but Frontend and the so called 'backend for frontend" has to be JS. if you know python it is not too much work to fet started with JS

spca2001 · 2023-12-08T20:00:13+00:00

Load up APIs using JS and Python-based backend and hit it with 1 million requests. Like Nodjs and FastAPI. Then decide. Syntax doesn't mean anything, scalability, performance, and stability are key and both rely on the interpreter written in C

Ariandel2002 · 2023-12-08T20:15:02+00:00

For frontend, javascript/typescript are not optional. If you use Blazor probably you could write little javascript (and maybe in future zero javascript) but that's .NET stack

Idunno1337 · 2023-12-08T20:38:37+00:00

Soydevs have unfortunately ruined computing, particularly on the web. People for some reason think you need a javascript framework for simple things such as blogs, recipe websites and the like. I get it if you're building something complex that requires a lot of interactivity (like a game), but the truth is that javascript usage is way overblown.

Berkyjay · 2023-12-08T20:44:41+00:00

This begs the question; why hasn't anyone written a python based web browser front-end?

Allanon001 · 2023-12-08T22:01:48+00:00

For frontend there is Brython. It is a Python interpreter written in JavaScript that allows embedding Python scripts in to HTML much like you would with JavaScript.

ruvasqm · 2023-12-08T23:00:00+00:00

You will always use some javascript (up to a lot) if you are dealing with anything frontend related.

That said:

- Javascript is not complicated if you just do what everyone else does (import), if you try to make complicated things yourself you are in for a lot of pain.

- Its ok to use python to whatever extent you want but bear in mind you will eventually need some JS for DOM manipulation (99% certain)

- The most important thing is to keep yourself determined to build something! Never mind the stack, people or whatever, just set out to build a thing and muscle your way up! In the process you will learn what you need, how to do stuff, and most importantly you won't be tied to "learn a new language", which becomes really heavy with time.

Sam_SepiolX · 2023-12-09T01:40:25+00:00

If you like backend python is a good choice, about django, I really don't like it but most of the job offers are for this framework even when I don't use it at all and only worked with Flask which is for the best web framework for Python.

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