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Java vs Scala: What is the Difference?
- Details
What is Java?
Java is a multi-platform, object-oriented, network-centric, programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. Java is a programming language and a computing platform for application development. It was first released by Sun Microsystem in 1995 and later acquired by Oracle Corporation
In this tutorial, you will learn:
- What is Java?
- What is Scala?
- Features of Java
- Features of Scala
- Java vs. Scala
- Advantage of using Scala
- Advantages of Java
- Disadvantages of Java
- Disadvantages of Scala
What is Scala?
Scala is a statically typed programming language which incorporates functional and object-oriented programming. It primarily targets the JVM (Java Virtual Machine) platform but can also be used to write software for multiple platforms. It includes native platforms using Scala-Native and JavaScript runtimes through Scala.
KEY DIFFERENCE
- Scala is a statically typed programming language whereas Java is a multi-platform, network-centric, programming language.
- Scala uses an actor model for supporting modern concurrency whereas Java uses the conventional thread-based model for concurrency.
- Scala variables are by default immutable type while Java variables are by default mutable type.
- Scala supports lazy evaluation while Java doesn’t support lazy evaluation.
- Scala doesn’t contain static members whereas Java contains static members.
- Scala supports operator overloading whereas Java doesn’t support operator overloading.
- Scala doesn’t offer backward compatibility whereas Java offers backward compatibility.
- Scala is less readable because of nested code whereas Java is more readable.
- Scala frameworks are Play, Lift whereas Java frameworks are Spring, Grails, and many more.
Features of Java
Here are the important features of Java.
- Write code once and run it on almost any computer platform
- It is designed for building object-oriented applications.
- Very Robust and Highly Secure
- It is a multithreaded language with automatic memory management
- Facilitates distributed computing as its network centric
Features of Scala
Here are important features of scala:
- Object-oriented but Scala is also a functional language.
- It is concise, powerful language and can quickly grow according to the demand of its users.
- Allows you to execute Java code
- Scala is statically typed
Java vs. Scala
Here are the main difference between Java and Scala.
| Parameter | Scala | Java |
|---|---|---|
| Compactness | More compact and concise | Comparatively larger chunks of code |
| Designed for | It is designed and developed to be both object and functional oriented language. It supports a wide variety of functional programming features such as concurrency and Immutability. | Originally developed as an object-oriented language and started supporting functional programming features in recent days. It is not as strong as a functional programming language. |
| Concurrency model | Uses actor model for supporting modern concurrency | It uses the conventional thread-based model for concurrency. |
| Supported frameworks | Supports frameworks – Play, Lift | Supports Spring, Grails, much more |
| Lazy evaluation support | Supports lazy evaluation | Does not support lazy evaluation |
| Static members | No static members | Contains static members |
| Operator overloading | Supports operator overloading | Does not support operator overloading |
| Compilation process | Compilation of source code is comparatively slow | Compilation of source code is faster than Scala |
| Interfaces | Traits – act like Java 8 interfaces | Java 8 interfaces try to bridge the gap between classes and interfaces |
| URL rewriting | Rewriting is needed | Rewriting is not required |
| Bug-free codes | No assurance about the bug-free codes | Complete assurance of lesser defects |
| Support for backward compatibility | Scala does not support backward compatibility | Java supports backward compatibility |
| Support for Multiple inheritances | Supports multiple inheritances using classes but not by abstract classes | Does not support multiple inheritances using classes, but by interfaces |
| Code style | Code is written in a compact form. | Code is written in long-form. |
| Static keyword | Scala does not contain the static keyword. | Java contains the static keyword. |
| Treats | Any method or function present in Scala is they are treated like they are variable. | Java treats functions as an object. |
| Type of variables | Scala variables are by default immutable type. | Java variables are by default mutable type. |
| Object orientation | Scala treats everything as an instance of the class and it is more object-oriented language as compare to Java. | Java does not support operator overloading. |
| Calling method | In Scala, all the operations on entities performed using method calls. | Operators are treated differently and is not done using the call method. |
| Readability | Scala is less readable because of its nested code. | Java is more readable. |
| Compiling process | Compiling the process of source code into byte code is very slow. | Compiling the process of source code into byte code is fast. |
Advantages of Java
Here, are pros/benefits of using Java-
- Detailed documentation is available.
- A large pool of skilled developers available
- Allows you to form standard programs and reusable code.
- It is a multi-threaded environment which allows you to perform many tasks at the same time in a program.
- Excellent performance
- Huge array of 3rd party libraries
- Easy to navigate libraries
Advantage of using Scala
Here are pros/benefits of learning Scala:
- Scala is easy to learn for object-oriented programmers, (Java developers). It is becoming one of the popular languages in recent years.
- Scala offers first-class functions for users
- Scala can be executed on JVM, thus paving the way for the interoperability with other languages.
- It is designed for applications that are concurrent, distributed, resilient, and message driven. It is one of the most demanding languages of this decade.
- It is concise, powerful language and can quickly grow according to the demand of its users.
- It is object-oriented and has a lot of functional programming features providing a lot of flexibility to the developers to code in a way they want.
- Scala offers many Duck Types
- It has less boilerplate if you are coming from Java
- The frameworks Lift and Play written in Scala are in the growth curve.
Disadvantages of Java
Here, are cons/drawback of using Java-
- JIT compiler makes the program comparatively slow.
- Java has high memory and processing requirements. Therefore, hardware cost increases.
- No support for low-level programming constructs like pointers.
- You don't have any control over garbage collection as Java does not provide functions like delete(), free().
Disadvantages of Scala
Here, are few cons/disadvantages of scala:
- Scala offers very limited community presence.
- It is not the easily adaptable language.
- Offers very limited backward compatibility
