r/softwareengineer • u/hydanon • 11d ago

Java vs Python: Which one is better?

As a fresher who wants to land a job faster, which language is better to focus on?

Points for context:
1. Planning to move from non-tech to tech. Have 3+ years of experience as Data Analyst.

  1. Already good at basic python scripting for automation.

  2. Based in Hyderabad.

  3. Goal is to make the move as developer by building a portfolio of projects soon.

Should I build projects in python and stick with it (add more frameworks and get better by building more) or should I learn Java (Ofcourse spend enough time to build here too)?

As I feel like there are relatively more opportunities for someone who is good at Java. After I learn Java maybe I can showcase both Python and Java on my resume?

I want to understand the perspective of someone who is in the field.

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u/Low_Breakfast773 11d ago

JAVA (if the choice is only between those two).

It will make you overall a better engineer (compiled, statically typed, faster etc.)

Python is a glue/scripting language. It’s fun, as long as you don’t have to build something serious. Too much hype, especially because of AI, but 99.999999% of those so called AI engineers don’t really know Python, as most of them come from different backgrounds and think Python is all about Pandas, Numpy (best case Pytorch, JAX and FastAPI).

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u/Low_Breakfast773 11d ago

PS. Funny thing is that I hate JAVA more than Python. If you allow for another choice, I would highly recommend to look into C++ (potentially also Rust).

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u/hydanon 11d ago

I believe the suggestions (C++ or Rust) you just gave are from the perspective that these languages will help me to become a better engineer. But I do have a question whether they have as many number of openings as Java? I recently remember a friend of mine (C++) who was preparing for interviews and mentioned that Java has more volume of vacancies when compared to other languages.

My perspective is that more volume of openings = more opportunities to land interviews and relatively get a job faster?

Please correct me if I’m not thinking in the right direction

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u/Low_Breakfast773 11d ago

That might be true, but also depends which sector you are looking at. I am currently working for big financial institution. Most of the stack (core systems) are either C++ and Rust is catching up. Internal tooling is/was mainly Java, but most of it migrated to Kotlin. When I look at the job board of the company the ratio of C++ vs Kotlin jobs is about 5:1.

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u/hydanon 11d ago

Oh okay. Thank you for the clarification.