All:
- Require some form of runtime on your system (JVM/.net/Python runtime)
- All can probably be compiled to executables without the runtime (this is iffy and situational, none of them are designed to work this way)
- Are good languages
- All have specific areas where they are much more appropriate than the other two
Java:
- Tries very hard to be Cross Platform--generally succeeds
- Little access to platform features that are not in the SDK
- Slowest of the three to change and does not contain features common to the other two such as closures
- Very backwards compatible (partly because of the previous point)
- FAST (about 2x slower than C, quite a few x faster than python)
- Probably has the most library support of the three
- Strong multi-platform server systems already deployed using J2EE
- Scales down to embedded (I've worked on 2 different embedded java projects--coming soon to a cable box near you)
- Static
C#
- Quicker to add new features
- Windows only--Mono is cross platform but does not have the library support.
- Started very similar to Java but has many more language features now.
- Much better access to windows APIs
- Not sure about speed--I think it's similar to Java.
- Very good library support
- The only one of the three that you have to pay for (it's free for "entry level")
- Static
Python
- Language is cross platform. Not sure about non-language platform access (such as drag-and-drop)--anyone know?
- Probably an easier language to learn
- The only one of the three that does not use c-like syntax
- Slowest of the three, but still pretty darn fast compared to other dynamic languages.
- Dynamic
This link is also interesting
Reddit
reddit.com › r/learnprogramming › java vs python vs c++
r/learnprogramming on Reddit: Java vs python vs C++
May 23, 2023 -
Hey y'all, I'll be needing to choose either one of Java, python, c++ or web programming for my second semester in electronics and communications but i have no idea where to start from
I've learnt all the basics of c programming in my first semester and i have to choose between the above mentioned for the second semester and it's really rattling my brain
Which of them would be better for a beginner to programming language and which would be most helpful in the future, if you'd have to say?
Thanks in advance!
Top answer 1 of 5
264
All of those languages are useful in different situations. Python's very popular with scientists, ML engineers, and the like. Non-programmers who need to write programs love it because it's approachable and has a plugin for basically anything. It's my favorite language for writing tiny, one-off programs and doing hackathons and coding competitions and stuff. Java's the workhorse of the corporate world. If you're writing a giant application full of business logic for a big corporation, and you're gonna maintain it for two decades, Java's still the default choice. C++ is the most powerful option. If you need something to go as fast as it can go, C++ is your default choice. But whole types of bugs around stuff like memory that are basically impossible to cause in Python or Java are really easy to cause in C++, and its error messages aren't so much legible as they arSegmentation Fault (core dumped). You can go far with any of them, and there's a good chance you'll end up learning all three at some point.
2 of 5
88
Love Python, but I’m in the “it’s better as your 2nd/3rd language” camp. The others are ‘harder’ and force you to gain a deeper understanding. Then you can pickup Python super easy. “Oh hey, it basically works the same but just does all the fiddly bits for me”. But you would know what those fiddly bits are, and can check the docs and be certain that behind the curtain it really is doing what you think it is. People who do it the other way around seem to have it harder, they don’t know how much Python is doing for them, why, or that it even is.
GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › java › c-vs-java-vs-python
C vs C++ vs Java vs Python vs JavaScript - GeeksforGeeks
Platform-independent, strongly typed, with automatic garbage collection. Popular for enterprise android and backend systems. Python – Dynamically typed, typically first compiled and then interpreted via bytecode execution.
Published August 12, 2025
How Similar are Java, C#, and Python? - Stack Overflow
I know it is a kind of broad question but any answer are appreciated. More on stackoverflow.com
What Programming language and why? C, C++, Python, C#, Java, etc
Since you have used MATLAB and R, I would suggest Python. Python has data visualization libraries, numerical libraries, etc. So if your background is more into data related stuff, Python has stuff aimed at that community (why Python was picked is unclear, because it could have been Ruby). But Python can be used to make web applications, games (maybe not like C# or C++). It has object oriented features, etc. The main complaint is that it's slow compared, say, C++. Try not to pigeonhole languages for one purpose. C# was developed because Microsoft was told to stop their work on Java, so they built a Java clone. They didn't think "Oh, this is just like Java, so we shouldn't bother creating this language". People often write languages because this feature or that feature annoys them, and they want to "fix" it with something better. Arguably, Java was created because people thought C++ was too complex and that maybe it was time for a non-functional programming language to use a garbage collector. They went through features they felt were creating complications in C++ (multiple inheritance, pass-by-value, memory allocation, etc) and cleaned it up (although Java is a pretty verbose language). It's just like if you wanted to buy a Honda vs a Toyota. These car manufacturers don't decide to create vehicles that fulfill a niche. To some extent, that can be true of languages. Even the idea of a programmer sitting down to do a project and "picking an appropriate" language doesn't always happen. If your group is good with Python, then they might not bother with doing the code in Java or C++. With whatever limitations a language has, familiarity with how it works is often more important. Also, although people love languages, there's more to programming than learning a language. More on reddit.com
10
1
May 5, 2021Is programming in Python faster than in C, C++ or Java? - Software Engineering Stack Exchange
There's a widespread belief among programmers that the more dynamic and loosely typed the language, the more productive the programmer will be in it. Guido van Rossum wrote about programming produc... More on softwareengineering.stackexchange.com
Definitions of “interpreted language” and “compiled language” with explanations of why Python and Java are or are not such languages - Python in Education - Discussions on Python.org
i’m not sure whether this belongs ... that i have seen. as an educator, i need to explain these concepts to students. many people classify the programming languages python and java differently for these two terms. often java is classed as compiled but not interpreted and python ... More on discuss.python.org
2
September 6, 2024Videos
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Quora
code.quora.com › Which-language-is-best-C-C-Java-or-Python
Which language is best, C++, C#, Java, or Python? - Code - Quora
In that case I would recommend: C# and Python.
Top answer 1 of 10
15
All:
- Require some form of runtime on your system (JVM/.net/Python runtime)
- All can probably be compiled to executables without the runtime (this is iffy and situational, none of them are designed to work this way)
- Are good languages
- All have specific areas where they are much more appropriate than the other two
Java:
- Tries very hard to be Cross Platform--generally succeeds
- Little access to platform features that are not in the SDK
- Slowest of the three to change and does not contain features common to the other two such as closures
- Very backwards compatible (partly because of the previous point)
- FAST (about 2x slower than C, quite a few x faster than python)
- Probably has the most library support of the three
- Strong multi-platform server systems already deployed using J2EE
- Scales down to embedded (I've worked on 2 different embedded java projects--coming soon to a cable box near you)
- Static
C#
- Quicker to add new features
- Windows only--Mono is cross platform but does not have the library support.
- Started very similar to Java but has many more language features now.
- Much better access to windows APIs
- Not sure about speed--I think it's similar to Java.
- Very good library support
- The only one of the three that you have to pay for (it's free for "entry level")
- Static
Python
- Language is cross platform. Not sure about non-language platform access (such as drag-and-drop)--anyone know?
- Probably an easier language to learn
- The only one of the three that does not use c-like syntax
- Slowest of the three, but still pretty darn fast compared to other dynamic languages.
- Dynamic
This link is also interesting
2 of 10
11
Python is a dynamic language where Java and C# are really not. It is totally different than the other two. There are ways to accomplishing things in Python that do not translate well to the others and vice versa.
Java and C# look the same, but they have differences between the two under the sheets. Being an expert in one, does not make you an expert in the other by any stretch of the imagination. The syntax is similar and libraries are too, so it would be easier to get up to speed in one or the other, but there are subtleties that can trip you up.
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › List_of_programming_languages
List of programming languages - Wikipedia
2 days ago - This is an index to notable programming languages, in current or historical use. Dialects of BASIC (which have their own page), esoteric programming languages, and markup languages are not included. A programming language does not need to be imperative or Turing-complete, but must be executable ...
Python
python.org › doc › essays › comparisons
Comparing Python to Other Languages | Python.org
Python is often compared to other interpreted languages such as Java, JavaScript, Perl, Tcl, or Smalltalk. Comparisons to C++, Common Lisp and Scheme can also be enlightening. In this section I will briefly compare Python to each of these languages. These comparisons concentrate on language ...
Coursera
coursera.org › coursera articles › computer science and engineering › software development › 5 types of programming languages
5 Types of Programming Languages | Coursera
November 25, 2024 - Start writing programs in Python with Python for Everybody from the University of Michigan, learn the basics of web development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Web Developers from Johns Hopkins University, or prepare for a career in IT with ...
ByteByteGo
bytebytego.com › guides › how-do-c-java-python-work
ByteByteGo | How Do C++, Java, Python Work?
A bytecode language like Java, compiles the source code into bytecode first, then the JVM executes the program. Sometimes JIT (Just-In-Time) compiler compiles the source code into machine code to speed up the execution. Examples: Java, C# Interpreted languages are not compiled. They are interpreted by the interpreter during runtime. Examples: Python, Javascript, Ruby
Codingal
codingal.com › coding-for-kids › blog › what-is-the-difference-between-java-python-and-c
What is the difference between Java, Python and C++ | Codingal
February 3, 2025 - The efficiency, speed, and memory of modern C++ make it a favorite among programmers. Java works across all platforms. As a result, it keeps bringing a lot of value to the field of software development. Python offers new libraries, quick prototyping, and other new capabilities while requiring less programming.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/learnprogramming › what programming language and why? c, c++, python, c#, java, etc
r/learnprogramming on Reddit: What Programming language and why? C, C++, Python, C#, Java, etc
May 5, 2021 -
I have learnt the basics of Python previously, used MATLAB and R in my degree, now I want to learn one language well. I don't have a specific goal in mind from my programming language of choice but building a game would be interesting. I have done some research, with many people saying you should learn C, others say only learn C++ if you want to build pc/ console games, C# for mobile, Python for beginners, but I want to know what would be "best"(yes I know that is very subjective).
What would make a good all-round language to learn? I want to learn something that will give me the greatest flexibility, transferable skills, and orportunities. I am inclined to believe that this choice should be C++ but would love to hear your opinions. Please help!
Top answer 1 of 5
3
Since you have used MATLAB and R, I would suggest Python. Python has data visualization libraries, numerical libraries, etc. So if your background is more into data related stuff, Python has stuff aimed at that community (why Python was picked is unclear, because it could have been Ruby). But Python can be used to make web applications, games (maybe not like C# or C++). It has object oriented features, etc. The main complaint is that it's slow compared, say, C++. Try not to pigeonhole languages for one purpose. C# was developed because Microsoft was told to stop their work on Java, so they built a Java clone. They didn't think "Oh, this is just like Java, so we shouldn't bother creating this language". People often write languages because this feature or that feature annoys them, and they want to "fix" it with something better. Arguably, Java was created because people thought C++ was too complex and that maybe it was time for a non-functional programming language to use a garbage collector. They went through features they felt were creating complications in C++ (multiple inheritance, pass-by-value, memory allocation, etc) and cleaned it up (although Java is a pretty verbose language). It's just like if you wanted to buy a Honda vs a Toyota. These car manufacturers don't decide to create vehicles that fulfill a niche. To some extent, that can be true of languages. Even the idea of a programmer sitting down to do a project and "picking an appropriate" language doesn't always happen. If your group is good with Python, then they might not bother with doing the code in Java or C++. With whatever limitations a language has, familiarity with how it works is often more important. Also, although people love languages, there's more to programming than learning a language.
2 of 5
3
C++ is dominant in 3D games, and generally in any industry where performance is the top priority. Python is in a sweet spot between widely useful, easy to learn, and fast to work with. Python is also widely adopted as the scripting language of choice within computer graphics. This means it is also useful for games, although more for creating the tools and pipelines rather than the game itself. I don't know why anyone would recommend C - barely anything new is being created with C any more Java is generally an enterprise language, generally not used in games or any creative industries. Popular in big institutions (banks etc), often to make web services. "C# for mobile games" is presumably a recommendation founded on the assumption you will want to use Unity. A huge percentage of mobile games are created with Unity, but I'm not aware of any notable utility of C# for gaming outside of that. Outside of Unity, C# is generally an enterprise language, and generally in the same bucket as Java. Two caveats with C# for unity - this path will generally mean you aren't necessarily "learning C# well" - you'd be learning it in the niche context of how it is used in Unity. And secondly, the popularity of Unity is driven largely by simple 2D games. If that's what you want, great, but this often isn't what sparked people's inspiration to learn programming
Top answer 1 of 5
19
Ousterhout's article1 about scripting languages suggests that the higher level the programming takes place, the more productive the programmer is. If we take that, as Boehm says2, the number of lines a programmer can write in a given time is constant and not dependent on the language or its type (low level, system programming, scripting), one can easily believe the claim. The resulting instructions-per-source-code-line -ratio can be an order of magnitude (or several) better with scripting languages than with system programming languages.
As scripting languages heavily rely on ready-made utilities for common tasks (e.g. data structures, string manipulation), their main use usually is to enhance productivity with the cost of slower running speed by providing a syntax that's easy to learn and efficient to upkeep programs with. One doesn't resort to a scripting language when top execution speed is needed.
[1]: J. K. Ousterhout, Scripting: Higher Level Programming for the 21 Century, Computer (IEEE), 1998
[2]: B. Boehm, Software Engineering Economics, Prentice Hall, 1981
2 of 5
8
If you measure productivity as "time to write a specific simple program" then it depends so much more on programmer experience and quick mind than the language that you are really evaluating the programmer, not the language.
I believe timed code contests indicate that the language doesn't really matter for those kinds of tasks. There is no one language that wins such challenges easier than others (at least not if you allow for the relative popularity of languages).
If you measure performance as "the effectiveness of the best program" written in a given language, then it's even less language-dependent. See for example the results of the Galcon AI contest. The winner is written in Lisp. The next Lisp entry, however, is ranked #280. What does this tell us about the language's suitability for writing great AI efficiently? In my opinion, nothing. It just tells us that "bocsimacko" came up with and implemented the most effective algorithms. For the record, time was not a major factor in this contest - people had more than two months to develop their code.
Lastly, if you measure performance as "long-term cost of maintaining a project" then I think you're onto something. Especially if you hire only the best people for the job, and count cost in man-hours rather than dollars. I have a strong opinion on which languages are best for this, but having no hard evidence to link you to I'll leave this opinion out. Perhaps someone else has links for this type of performance.
Splunk
splunk.com › en_us › blog › learn › programming-languages.html
Programming Languages: Today's Ultimate Guide | Splunk
Programming languages vary by how they are compiled and typed, affecting development speed, performance, and safety — interpreted, dynamically-typed languages like Python and JavaScript excel in rapid development, while compiled, statically-typed languages like C++, Go, and Rust offer greater performance and safety.
Sololearn
sololearn.com › en › Discuss › 1854615 › which-programming-language-should-i-start-with-ccjava-python
Which programming language should i start with c,c++,java ,python | Sololearn: Learn to code for FREE!
If you're looking to go into Mechatronics and do microcontroller programming, go for C/C++/C#. For mobile app development, Java or Python, because Python is easier to learn than Java.
Quora
quora.com › Which-programming-language-should-I-learn-first-C-C-Java-HTML-or-Python
Which programming language should I learn first, C, C++, Java, HTML, or Python? - Quora
Python: Great for beginners due to its simplicity and readability. It's widely used in web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and more. C: Teaches you low-level programming concepts, such as memory management.
Britannica
britannica.com › technology › computers
List of programming languages | SQL, C, Java, Python, Go, & Facts | Britannica
February 13, 2026 - The language was revolutionary for how it was compiled: while most code in other languages is translated into instructions for a specific machine, the Java compiler converts the code into “Bytecode,” which is then interpreted by a software called Java Runtime Environment. This makes Java flexible enough to run on multiple devices using the same coding conventions. ... Python is a high-level programming language valued for its English-like syntax and data analysis functions and libraries.
Udemy
udemy.com › development
Master Java, Python, C & C++: All-in-One Programming Course
September 8, 2024 - Unlock the Power of Four Languages: Complete C, C++, Java, and Python Programming Course for All Levels.
InfoWorld
infoworld.com › home › software development › programming languages
C, C++, Java vie for second place in language popularity | InfoWorld
October 7, 2025 - While Python continues to be the runaway leader in Tiobe’s monthly index of programming language popularity, C, C++, and Java are engaged in a fierce battle for second place.
Python.org
discuss.python.org › python in education
Definitions of “interpreted language” and “compiled language” with explanations of why Python and Java are or are not such languages - Python in Education - Discussions on Python.org
September 6, 2024 - i’m not sure whether this belongs in the education category or a more general category. i’m dissatisfied with the definitions of “interpreted language” and “compiled language” that i have seen. as an educator, i need to explain these concepts to students. many people classify the programming languages python and java differently for these two terms. often java is classed as compiled but not interpreted and python as interpreted but not compiled. for me, this seems to require splitting hairs...
Hacker News
news.ycombinator.com › item
I thought Java was on a much lower level than Python. Why is C more low-level? | Hacker News
January 29, 2014 - A C/C++ compiler takes your source code and then compiles & assembles it to binary machine instructions that are executed directly by the processor. It is not necessary to have a C/C++ compiler installed on a machine in order to execute that binary. But the code must have been compiled to the ...
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › List_of_programming_languages_by_type
List of programming languages by type - Wikipedia
1 week ago - Java (usually JVM bytecode; to machine code) JOVIAL · Julia (on the fly to machine code) Kotlin (Kotlin/Native uses LLVM to produce binaries) LabVIEW · Mercury · Mesa · Nemerle (into intermediate language bytecode) Nim · Objective-C · P · Pascal (most implementations) PL/I · Plus · Pony · Python (to intermediate VM bytecode) RPG (Report Program Generator) Red ·
Agent-oriented programming languagesArray languagesAspect-oriented programming languagesAssembly languagesAuthoring languagesCommand-line interface languagesCompiled languagesConcatenative programming languagesConcurrent languagesConstraint programming languagesContract languagesCurly bracket languagesDataflow languagesData-oriented languagesDecision table languagesDeclarative languagesEmbeddable languagesEducational programming languagesEsoteric languagesExtension languagesFourth-generation languagesFunctional languagesHardware description languagesImperative languagesInteractive mode languagesInterpreted languagesIterative languagesLanguages by memory management typeList-based languages – LISPsLittle languagesLogic-based languagesMachine languagesMacro languagesMetaprogramming languagesModular languagesMultiparadigm languagesNumerical analysisNon-English-based languagesObject-oriented class-based languagesObject-oriented prototype-based languagesOff-side rule languagesProcedural languagesQuery languagesReflective languagesRule-based languagesScripting languagesStack-based languagesSynchronous languagesShading languagesSyntax-handling languagesSystem languagesTransformation languagesVisual languagesWirth languagesXML-based languages