In this blog post, we will delve into the comparison between Golang and Java, two highly performant programming languages for backend development. With the aim of aiding your decision-making process, we will address some fundamental questions related to Go Vs Java: Is Golang superior to Java? Is Golang more challenging than Java? Can Golang surpass Java in popularity and usage?
By exploring various aspects related to Golang and Java, we hope to provide you with comprehensive insights that will guide you in choosing the best language for your needs. Despite Java’s established dominance in backend development, Golang, despite its relative novelty, is becoming increasingly poplar among developers worldwide. Golang poses a significant challenge to Java’s supremacy in the field of server-side web applications.

What is Golang?

Go is an open-source, compiled programming language that is statically typed. It is maintained by Google and widely utilized as a server-side language. Being part of the C-Family programming languages, Go shares syntax similarities with Java. Similar to Java, it employs a garbage collector to address memory leaks.
The creators of Go sought to enhance existing programming languages, with a primary focus on improving readability. They achieved this by simplifying certain aspects, such as having a smaller library that eases sifting through it. Go eliminates the use of colons at the end of lines and removes the need for brackets and parentheses.
Go foregoes error handling, making it better suited for developers with existing coding knowledge. Although it is simpler to read and type, the reduction in complexity can lead to more coding errors, which would necessitate more debugging time.

What is Java?

Java, an object-oriented programming language, is highly versatile and employs classes to facilitate a wide range of functionalities. Java boasts the ability to run seamlessly across different platforms, thanks to its Java Virtual Machine, which serves as both an interpreter and an error checker for compiled code.
Java’s robust library system streamlines the programming process as developers can readily access pre-written code for specific functions, reducing the time required to create software applications. Historically, Java was the most prevalent server-side language due to its association with Sun Microsystems. However, with Python’s burgeoning popularity, Java’s dominance has diminished. Despite this, Java retains a large community of supporters who continue to uphold its prominence and value as a programming language.

Go Vs Java- A Detailed Comparison

Mobile App Development

While not all mobile apps require backend development, the majority do. A robust backend architecture is necessary if you want your app to synchronize data across multiple devices, display content, and provide reliable data backups.
Although Go is not typically used for writing mobile apps, its unique benefits can be harnessed for backend development, as previously mentioned.
Java has long been the preferred choice for developing Android apps. However, recently, there has been a growing trend towards using Kotlin Multiplatform, which Google designated an official language for Android in 2019. Kotlin is similar to Java but simpler, with better performance, making it an attractive alternative or supplement to Java.

Cross-Platform Development

For cross-platform development, Java may be a better choice than Golang due to differences in code compilation. With Java, the code passes through the JVM interpreter to enable it to run on various platforms. On the contrary, code written in Go is compiled into a binary that is specific to a single platform. This means that separate binary files need to be compiled for each platform, which can be a time-consuming process and potentially impact the profitability of the project.
By using Java for cross-platform development, developers can avoid the need for multiple platform-specific binaries. This results in faster development times and potentially lower costs. However, it is important to consider the specific requirements of the project and the strengths and weaknesses of each language before making a final decision.

Microservices Architecture

Many of our clients prefer the microservices approach due to its numerous advantages. This architecture involves segmenting the application into distinct services that interact via an API interface. Each microservice associates with a small, specialized team, providing greater flexibility in the development process.
The microservices approach allows you to update individual services, reducing the risk of errors and shortening implementation time. By segmenting the infrastructure, it becomes easier to identify and resolve issues. It also helps ensure the app remains secure and functions optimally, all while keeping costs low. Go, with its lower memory footprint and faster start time, is an ideal language for implementing the microservices approach.
For complex systems, particularly those with a single server, we recommend sticking with Java. This language has had ample time to adapt to the industry’s evolving needs, refining its imperfections to deliver the required performance and scalability.

Leaflet

Leaflet is a widely-used JavaScript library that offers developers an open-source solution for creating interactive and mobile-friendly maps. It is incredibly lightweight, at only 42 KB. Hence, it has all the necessary features without slowing down the website or application it is used in.

One of the main advantages of Leaflet is its simplicity. Its design prioritizes performance and usability, making it easy to use for both developers and end-users. Additionally, it works seamlessly across all major desktop and mobile platforms. Its straightforward API and simple source code make it a popular choice for developers to contribute to and extend with numerous plugins.

Leaflet’s documentation is comprehensive, easy to read, and includes code samples that allow developers to create maps quickly and efficiently. The API is intuitive, making it easy to add custom markers, shapes, and layers. The library supports various tile providers including OpenStreetMap, Mapbox, and Esri.

The library’s mobile-first approach and responsiveness ensure that maps look and function well on any device. Leaflet’s user interface is intuitive and customizable. It offers a range of options for creating visually appealing maps that are easy to navigate. The library is compatible with various data formats, including GeoJSON, TopoJSON, and KML. It allows developers to add custom data overlays and perform complex geospatial analysis.

Leaflet is ideal for developers looking for a lightweight, versatile, and user-friendly library to create interactive maps. Its extensive plugin library and straightforward API make it easy to create custom maps that meet any project’s unique requirements.

Machine Learning

span style=”font-weight: 400;”>If you are looking to utilize Golang for machine learning, it is important to understand its limitations. Specifically, with Golang, you have limitations pertaining to training existing models. In other words, you cannot use Golang to develop and train new Machine Learning models from scratch.

That being said, Golang still has a lot of potential for use in machine learning due to its excellent handling of concurrency, which is an important factor in machine learning. Golang’s ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously can improve the efficiency and speed of certain Machine Learning processes. This makes it a strong alternative to other popular Machine Learning languages like Python or Java.

Overall, while Golang may not be the best choice for creating and training new machine learning models. Its strengths in handling concurrency make it a viable option for other aspects of machine learning, such as data processing and analysis. It is important to carefully consider the specific needs of your project before making a decision.

Conclusion

Golang provides many advantages over Java, including lower cost, easier learning, and a shorter learning curve. It is particularly suitable for developers who work on projects that require low-level performance and don’t shy away from the risk of being replaced by AI writing assistants. With its advanced framework, Golang can effectively manage low-level performance tasks. It also reduces the likelihood of being replaced by AI writing assistants. However, there are also some drawbacks to using Golang. Its lower popularity and steeper learning curve, which can make development more challenging.