Javascript vs Python For Web Development

Web development is becoming one of the most popular sectors of IT and It is an undisputed fact that JavaScript and Python both are very popular programming languages among web developers. Both of the programming languages have their own benefits which make them a popular choice among developers. 

However, the comparison between Python and JavaScript has always been a popular discussion in the developers community. It often produces questions like: Is Python harder than javascript? Is Python better than javascript? What is the difference between Python and javascript? What is the use of javascript in web development? So on and so forth. Keep reading this article because all of these questions are briefly answered in this article but before getting into the discussion of the comparison of Python vs Javascript for web development, it is essential to understand what is Python and JavaScript. 

What is Python? 

Python is one of the finest and most powerful programming languages these days. It is so versatile that it is an essential tool for most scientific applications. However, it is a general-purpose programming language that supports different programming paradigms. 

This programming is widely used in scientific areas which include Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision (CV), DIP (Digital Image Processing), Natural Language Processing, and Web development as well. The syntax of Python is very simple. This is why a lot of people believe that Python is way better than JavaScript. 

In the context of web development, there is a popular question: is python used for frontend or backend? And the answer is that Python is mostly used in the backend. This is the point where we can compare its functionalities and capabilities with JavaScript. However, it is important to note that Python is not only limited to backend development but can also be used in front-end development with the help of some additional tools. 

What is JavaScript? 

While Python is a great choice for the development of the backend, JavaScript is a go-to choice and is popularly known as the programming language for the front-end development of a web application. 

It is important to understand the difference between back-end and front-end development here. The back-end of a web application is the part that is not accessible to the user and users don't directly interact with it. It contains all the business logic and server-side programming of the web application. 

On the other side, the front end of the web application is the part with which end users interact. This is the part of the application which is accessible to the users. Even if you are interacting with a mobile application, it is highly likely that you are interacting with React.js -  a framework of JavaScript - which is capable of developing applications that can adapt to different platforms. 

Differentiating Factors in JavaScript and Python

Now, as we have clearly understood both JavaScript and Python, we can dig deeper into their differentiating factors.

There are different grounds on which we can differentiate these two programming languages. Both Python and JavaScript have their own pros and cons. So let’s dive into it without any delay.

Popularity 

First, it is important to note what the developer community has to say about these two programming languages. The best matrix to identify the developer’s choice is by assessing the popularity of these programming languages. 

As per Stack Overflow's 2020 Developer Survey, JavaScript topped the list of the most commonly used programming languages. As per the details of the survey, almost 69.7% of the development community used JavaScript. In comparison, the popularity of Python was among 41.7% of the developers. 

A reason for the popularity of JavaScript is that its jobs are widely available. Moreover, it is not only for web development but JavaScript can also be used for mobile app development which makes it a popular choice among the development community.  

Performance 

Performance is one of the most important factors to keep in mind while developing websites. An application is almost useless if it is not efficient enough. This is the reason that new programming languages try to inculcate as much efficiency and optimization as possible.

However, it is not easy but a very tricky task. This also depends upon the programming language being used for development. Because every programming language has its own built-in rules and methods to enhance efficiency. 

The speed of the web application depends on the speed of execution of the code in the web application. And the purpose of JavaScript to be built was to be fast on the web browser. This is the reason that applications like Facebook, Google, Amazon, and many more are using JavaScript. 

If you compare a Python web application with a Node.js web application, Node.js is definitely going to outshine Python. Because, as per experts, Python processes requests in a single flow but JavaScript can process multiple requests at a time with its advanced multithreading features.

Recommended: WHY TO USE NODE.JS AS A BACKEND FOR YOUR APPLICATION

Application Scalability 

The scalability of a web application is as necessary as oxygen to a person for survival. Consider an application, which is very responsive, interactive, and offers very in-demand services. But, it is unable to handle a large number of requests simultaneously. This will result in a decline in web traffic because if a user opens a website and it does not respond as needed or crashes frequently, but the user will also eventually look for some other speedy alternatives. 

Recommended:  HOW TO SCALE WEB APPLICATIONHow to Scale Web Applications

Therefore, It is very important for an application to be scalable. Because scalability allows an application to handle a large volume of traffic and requests of requests at a time. To support scalability, multithreading is a very viable solution. But Python does not support multithreading as it works on single-threaded systems. Instead, it uses Global Interpreter Lock to deal with multiple requests at a time.  

Antithetically, Node.js was purely developed to support asynchronous programming. Therefore, JavaScript is good when it comes to web application scalability. However, Python can also achieve scalability in the way described above. 

Memory Management

Memory management is yet another important aspect to consider. If a programming language is unable to manage memory efficiently, it will directly affect the optimization of the website. 

In Python, all the variables and data structures are collected in a heap. Python also has its internal memory manager which ensures the management of this heap. 

However, JavaScript uses a form of automatic memory management tool which is called GC ( garbage collector). However, the management by GC works on an approximate algorithm because it is unable to know if a certain memory location is useless or not.

Scope 

The scope of a programming language defines its versatility. If we talk about the applications or use cases of Python, we come to know that Python is used in web development for the backend. It is also very useful in software development, computational, and scripting systems. It is very popular in data science and machine learning. 

In comparison, JavaScript also supports all these kinds of software development. The big advantage that JavaScript has over Python is that it is not only a front-end language but also works amazingly fine with the development of server-side logic of the application. Moreover, JavaScrip is also used for the development of mobile applications, which are currently not supported by Python. React.js is one of the popular mobile app development frameworks. 

Read everything about the web development process, features, design cost structure, and trends. 

Python Vs JavaScript: Which Programming Language to Choose in 2023? 

As per the discussion conducted above, it is clear as crystal that both languages have their own pros and cons. It is nearly impossible to even question whether Python will replace JavaScript or vice versa. 

In the case of JavaScript and Python, the choice of developers will be based on the requirements of the platform under consideration. For example, when the design of the language is paramount, Python is your choice. And if mobile development and a highly responsive site are required then JavaScript is your choice.

In a more comprehensive way, if the required application has to be scalable and highly efficient, JavaScript is the right choice. And if the backend of the website is very complex and good readability, and easy programming is required, one can choose Python. 

If you are looking for JavaScript development services, don't hesitate to contact us at InvoZone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which one is better to choose Javascript or Python for web development?

The choice between using JavaScript or Python for web development depends on various factors such as project requirements, the team's expertise, and personal preferences. Both languages have their strengths and weaknesses, and each is suitable for different types of web development tasks. Ultimately, it is up to the web developers to evaluate the project requirements and choose the language that is best suited for the task at hand.

Can you replace JavaScript with Python?

Although Python is a versatile programming language, it cannot replace JavaScript on the client side because all modern web browsers have a built-in JavaScript engine that can execute JavaScript code natively on the user's device. In contrast, Python is not supported in web browsers for client-side programming. However, for backend development, either language can be used based on personal preference or specific requirements.

Is Python used for frontend or backend?

Python can be used for both frontend and backend development, although it is more commonly used for backend development. Python web frameworks like Flask and Django are popular choices for backend development, while libraries like Pygame can be used for frontend development. However, it's worth noting that JavaScript is the primary language used for front-end web development due to its ability to run natively in web browsers.