Python 3.2 vs Java 1.6

[Steven D'Aprano]

On Sat, 09 Apr 2011 01:32:17 +1000, Chris Angelico wrote:

> On Sat, Apr 9, 2011 at 1:21 AM, km <srikrishnamohan at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi All,
>>
>> How does python 3.2 fare compared to Java 1.6 in terms of performance ?
>> any pointers or observations ?
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> How do apples compare to oranges in terms of performance?

Fair point. The two languages are not really aimed at the same target. 
Python tends to optimize for development time, Java tends to optimize for 
execution time (although Java's expensive start up usually makes it 
prohibitive for small, lightweight programs).

Python tends to be between 1-100 times slower than Java, depending on 
what you're trying to do. Have a look at the programming language shoot-
out:

http://shootout.alioth.debian.org/

Don't jump to conclusions:

http://shootout.alioth.debian.org/dont-jump-to-conclusions.php

[By the way, does anyone know why the number of languages in the shootout 
seems to have dropped drastically?]

Python is good for rapid prototyping. Java not so good for rapid 
development of any sort.

A good middle-ground might be Jython, which is Python built on the JVM.

http://www.jython.org/
http://wiki.python.org/jython/WhyJython



Hope this helps.


-- 
Steven