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Python vs. Java – Best Programming Language Comparison

There is an old debate regarding Python and Java when it comes to choosing the best programming language. The truth is there isn’t a correct answer. They both have their advantages and disadvantages and it is up to you to choose the one that suits your needs.

Today we are going to analyse all the pros and cons so that it will be easier for you to make a choice. There are plenty of things Python and Java have in common, but there are also numerous features that differentiate these two.

There is plenty of library support for both Java and Python and developers seem to use them both equally. However, there are many things that differentiate these two. There are some clear differences, while others are more subjective.

Types of languages

We should start by mentioning that Python is an interpreted language, while Java is a compiled one. Obviously, each type has its characteristics. It is hard to say which language is faster or better, and most developers have contradicting opinions. Usually, the context in which a language is used influences its performance.

The way you write these languages is also different. When you use Python you use indentation if you want to create a structure. Meanwhile, in Java you will have brackets for that. Some developers seem to believe that indentation makes the code well structured.

Each programmer can choose the structure which appears more accessible. This is usually up to each person, and you decide which structure allows you to type faster. Since many developers also use templates and coding environments, this might not be that big of an issue.

The threading models of these two programming languages is completely different as well. Python can run on a single CPU core at a time and that is because it is single-threaded, unlike Java. This makes it a lot easier to use a CPU with Python.

Popularity

If we take a look at the popularity of these languages, there are some clear differences. Java has been around for more time, so it remains the most popular language. However, Python had an impressive evolution, and if it continues to rise that way, it is very likely that it will overcome Java.

Nonetheless, just because Java is older, this does not mean that it does not evolve. Developers continue to add new features and they are doing their best to make Java faster and more powerful. The JVM is also a great tool when it comes to creating cross-platform Java apps.

If you are thinking about money, you should know that a freeCodeCamp post revealed that programmers who use Python earn more money than those who use Java.

Learning process

When you are choosing a programming language you should also think about how much it will take you to learn it. Obviously, you also need to take into account your current knowledge. If you are a beginner and you have no experience you might want to choose Python. It doesn’t take that much time to get used to it and it has a wide range of techniques. Java can be simple for you if you already know how to program in C++ for example.

You should also think about the way the code is presented. Nowadays, programmers aren’t the only persons who have to work with code, so you must think about the skills of all the persons involved. Python supports the literate programming approach, which can be a big plus. These programs offer explanations, graphs and pictures in a document, while the code remains executable.

Related comparison:

The Best Predictive Analytics Application: R versus Python
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News Tech

The Best Tools For Mobile App Development for 2018

Creating an application is something that most developers have to deal with at one point. Apps need to work properly on different platforms, and this can be quite tricky to realise. Luckily for you, there are plenty of tools that that help you with mobile app development.

Making the app work on multiple platforms is no longer a problem, thanks to the WORA concept (write once, run anywhere). This means that the piece of code only has to be written once, for one platform, and it then runs on many platforms. This reduces the amount of work needed from the developer.

Monocross

This tool is ideal if you want to develop apps for bot smartphones and tablets. One thing that you should know about this platform is that the developer is able to access the native device APIs while coding in C#.

Nonetheless, it can be difficult to learn about Monocross, as there are not many resources online. There are few documents and support for this platform, so you might need to discuss with other developers if you need some help. Monocross supports the Mono framework, as well as .NET, Microsoft and C#.

Xamarin

You can use the C# code base in order to develop apps with this tool. It is possible to use the same APIs, language and IDE in all places. You should know that Xamarin development is tied with important companies such as IBM, Microsoft, Foursquare and Dow Jones. For those who use C# or Ruby, Xamarin is the best choice.

Xamarin offers a free version, as well as a paid one. If you choose the free version, you will have features that are limited and you won’t be able to use open-source libraries, which can be a major disadvantage. Sharing code is also possible for a developer.

PhoneGap

PhoneGap can be used to create apps that do not rely on the device. This platform was created by Adobe and it can be used to translate code from JavaScript, as well as CSS and HTML5. Apps can be developed for Android, Windows, iOS and BlackBerry.

A possible disadvantage could be that you can’t really use it for apps that are graphics-intensive. We should also add that this platform is available for free and it comes with great support for the developers.

NativeScript

This is another tool that can be used to develop cross-platform apps. There aren’t too many resources for its features. NativeScript comes with support for TypeScript, as well as Angular.js 2. Native APIs are also provided in JavaScript.

Appcelerator

Developing cross-platform applications with this tool is simple. A JavaScript codebase is used for it, and Appcelerator is open. Apps can be created for Android, iOS AND BlackBerry, but it also comes with support for HTML5.

More than 5000 devices can be supported by Accelerator, as well as OS APIs. The only con for this tool is the fact that the support team can be a bit slow with its responses.

Kony Mobile Platform

The Kony Mobile Platform comes with numerous impressive features such as API connection, automatic coding and app preview. One great thing about the Kony Mobile Platform is that it also has its own pre-built apps that can be used in order to develop a new app.

Once again, there are not many resources available for Kony Mobile Platform, which means that if you want to use it to develop an app, you are on your own. However, if its community continues to expand, there should be more documentation in the future.

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Games News Tech

PlayStation 4 Cross-Play For Games Like Fortnite Dismissed Again By Sony CEO

Sony created some buzz among gamers worldwide when decided to block cross-play feature for popular games like Fortnite between PlayStation 4 and its fiercest rivals, Xbox and Nintendo Switch. Although Microsoft and Nintendo accepted the cross-platform play feature without many debates, Sony refused it, and it’s still against it, as the Sony CEO recently stated that “PlayStation is the best place to play,” so there’s no reason for them to support cross-play.

“On cross-platform, our way of thinking is always that PlayStation is the best place to play. Fortnite, I believe, partnered with PlayStation 4 is the best experience for users, that’s our belief,” said Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida during the IFA 2018 in Berlin, Germany.

The Sony CEO also stated that they already opened cross-platform play for some titles, but they only do it depending on the best user experience. “But actually, we already opened some games as cross-platform with PC and some others, so we decide based on what is the best user experience. That is our way of thinking for cross-platform,” Kenichiro Yoshida added.

Some game industry figures accused Sony’s refusal to embrace PlayStation 4 cross-play for games like Fortnite

However, the remarks made by Yoshida didn’t go unnoticed by the rials from Microsoft Xbox, and Xbox engineering chief Mike Ybarra commented on Twitter that Sony is still not listening to its gamers.

“[Sony] still isn’t listening to gamers. All games should be cross-play and progression with the right input flexibility and gamer options,” wrote Ybarra on Twitter. “Larger gaming audience who wants to play together. Gaming is diverse, if you only serve to bring joy to the part of an audience then you are behind in many, many ways,” Mike Ybarra added.

Also, Pete Hines, the Senior VP at Bethesda, considered Sony’s stance on refusing PlayStation 4 cross-play for games like Fortnite as annoying. As regarding Elder Scrolls: Legends, one of the Bethesda’s titles, Hines stated that the “cross-play is non-negotiable.”

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News Tech

The Best Predictive Analytics Application: R versus Python

Choosing the right language is the first thing you must do when it comes to working on predictive analytics. There are plenty of options, but R and Python appear to be the most popular ones. Most developers choose between these two languages when they develop applications for predictive analytics.

Both programming languages are available on all major operating systems such as Linux, Microsoft Windows, and Mac OS X. While we can’t say that one of them is the right choice, they both have their pros and cons. It is up to you to analyse them and decide which one matches your needs. Nonetheless, we took a look at certain factors in order to make things easier for you.

Data analytics

When it comes to data analysis, R is a more popular in the developer community. That is because it comes with an Integrated Development Environment that was created for data analysis. The R programming language was in fact created for data analytics, and it is also used to teach statistics in high schools and colleges from all around the world. Python can also be used for data analytics, but the obvious choice here remains R.

If you look at its popularity you can also see that R is used more when it comes to data analytics. Nonetheless, Python has its advantages as well. For example, if you want to implement algorithms for production use you might want to choose this one. Additionally, Python appears to be a better choice if your data analysis will be used in production databases or web apps.

Costs

You don’t have to worry about the availability of these two programming languages as they are bot available for free. There are no costs for either one. Python is usually better when it comes to code reliability, while R is recommended for statistics and data analysis.

Learning how to use it

If you are a beginner, you might want to take into account other factors. For example, Python is usually considered more mainstream, and it can represent a better option for amateurs. On the other hand, R can be considered quite complex for those who are not familiar with programming.

Resources

Before you choose a language you might want to see how many resources are available for each one. The community provides assistance for those who want to master these languages, but you need to make sure that there are enough resources for your learning process.

Regarding this topic, a bit of research has already been done. If we take a look at Google search results we can see that there are a lot more results for R compared to the results offered for a Python search. To compare the two, when searching for “linear regression”, there were 6.48 million results for Python and 77.1 million for R.

Python cons

If we are talking about the disadvantages of Python, we must mention the fact that it has its flaws when it comes to mobile development. Additionally, the fact that it is quite simple to learn Python might make it difficult to pick up other programming languages in the future. Python might not be the best when it comes to data analysis.

R cons

One of the biggest cons of the R programming language is the fact that it can be quite difficult to learn. If you need to learn it as fast as possible, you should know that R requires some time. Additionally, its memory management department could be improved. However, if the community continues to grow, this is an issue that will be fixed.

Related comparison:

Python vs. Java – Best Programming Language Comparison
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Crypto News Tech

Mozilla Firefox To Block Malicious Crypto Mining With Its Next Update

The next update for the popular Mozilla Firefox Internet browser will add a feature to shield against background crypto mining programs. The Firefox will try putting an end to cryptojacking, a malicious practice that usurps the processing power of the user’s device or hardware to mine for cryptocurrencies.

Firefox will block the scripts inserted into web pages that perform cryptojacking, as the browser’s upcoming update focuses on preventing data collection techniques that violate user privacy, a practice known as tracking. The update will aim to “protect” and “give a voice” to internet users who are victims of “deceptive practices that collect (and use) information invisibly” and user processing power, according to the official statement.

According to Nick Nguyen, the vice president of Firefox, the new security features will be running in the testing phase of the Firefox Nightly version throughout September.

Mozilla Firefox will tackle background crypto mining, joining Opera and Google Chrome in this regard

With this update, Mozilla Firefox joins the Opera and Google Chrome browsers who have already taken steps to tackle background crypto mining programs. In the case of Opera, however, the company announced in January of this year the implementation of new levels of protection against unauthorized mining in its browser.

On the other hand, Google Chrome removed extensions that offer crypto mining services from its Chrome web store. This measure, unlike Opera’s, also affected those applications that informed users that they would use their device’s ability to mine crypto coins. This decision occurred after Chrome accepted these extensions while they were exclusively dedicated to in-browser crypto mining. However, most of these did not meet the conditions.

Keep in mind that web crypto mining is not a malicious activity, in essence. However, cryptojacking (the practice to use victims devices’ computing power to mine for cryptocurrencies) is considered a malicious attack.

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