If you are interested in learning to code, you might be asking yourself, “Which programming language is better for my career: JavaScript or Python?” To put it simply, both are popular and widely used languages that have their strengths and weaknesses.
Some students may find it difficult to choose which language to prioritize for their career. So, we’re going to compare JavaScript and Python in terms of their job prospects, use cases, and learning curves.
We will also explain why we teach both languages at Rithm School, and how you can benefit from learning them. So let’s jump right in!
Using Python vs JavaScript
One of the main reasons to learn a programming language is to get a job as a developer or software engineer. JavaScript and Python are among the most commonly used languages by professional developers.
JavaScript
JavaScript is the dominant language of the web, as it runs on every browser and enables dynamic and interactive web pages. It can handle text, dates, and regular expressions with ease, making it a leader in the creation of interactive web pages.
It supports both the functional and imperative programming paradigms, meaning that it can work in server-side development with frameworks like Node.js and Express.js, as well as for mobile and desktop applications with frameworks like React Native and Electron.js.
JavaScript comes with an array of benefits, with JavaScript developers being able to work on a variety of projects, from front-end to back-end to full-stack development. That means both websites and powerful desktop applications can be created using your JavaScript expertise!
Python
Python is a versatile and powerful programming language that uses objects, dynamic typing, and high-level syntax.
Python supports multiple programming paradigms, such as object-oriented, functional, and procedural, and as it’s relatively easy to write and run, it can be used for scripting. Python is what is known as an interpreted language, meaning that it cannot be translated into machine code before running at runtime.
Developers using Python can work on projects that involve processes including data analysis, visualization, modelling, prediction, natural language processing, and computer vision, among others. Though it’s mostly used for simple syntax, Python can actually handle more complex tasks, making it a fantastic skill to have at hand!
Ultimately, both JavaScript and Python have high demand and offer competitive salaries in the job market.
Which is better to learn, JavaScript or Python?
One crucial factor you need to consider when choosing a programming language is how easy or hard it is to learn. First of all, there’s no easy way to answer this question as both are incredibly popular and have many, many uses!
Of course, choosing your preferred language also depends on your prior knowledge (which can be built by accessing our FREE online course), learning style, and motivation, but there are some other aspects that can affect your learning experience.
Generally speaking, Python is one of the easiest programming languages in the world, making it far easier to learn than JavaScript. Python has a large and active community that provides many libraries and frameworks for different purposes, such as Django, Flask, Pandas, NumPy, and TensorFlow, which allows you to finetune your learning based on your goals.
The Python syntax is very similar to the English language, so you don’t need to know complex syntax to code in Python. In fact, the Python code can be easily executed using the command interpreter in Windows.
JavaScript, on the other hand, is a complex, high-level, interpreted, and multi-paradigm language that supports object-oriented, functional, and imperative programming styles. It has predefined syntaxes and a flexible typing system that allows you to write code in different ways.
However, this also means that you have to deal with some quirks and inconsistencies that can cause confusion and errors. For example, JavaScript has implicit type conversion, hoisting, closures, prototypal inheritance, and many other features that require careful understanding and attention, otherwise even the smallest mistake can stop your script from running!
Both JavaScript and Python have relatively easy and beginner-friendly syntax that can help you get started quickly. However, they also have a lot of depth and complexity that can challenge you as you progress.
Learning a programming language is not only about memorizing the syntax and keywords but also about understanding the concepts and logic behind it.
What kind of job do Python and JavaScript get you?
Have you already decided on the kind of projects you want to work on or create? As we mentioned before, both JavaScript and Python have a wide range of applications and use cases, but they also have some differences.
JavaScript is mainly used for web development, especially for creating dynamic and interactive user interfaces. It is also used for server-side development with Node.js and Express.js, which allows developers to use the same language for both front-end and back-end development. Additionally, JavaScript can be used for mobile and desktop applications with frameworks like React Native and Electron.js.
Python, however, is mainly used for data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and other domains that involve working with large amounts of data. It has a simple and expressive syntax that makes it easy to write readable and maintainable code, and it also has many libraries and frameworks that provide tools and functionalities for a variety of processes.
Both JavaScript and Python can be used for web development, but they have different approaches and philosophies. JavaScript is more flexible and dynamic but also more complex and verbose. Python is more concise and elegant but also more strict and opinionated.
Depending on your personal preference and project requirements, you may find one more suitable than the other. Needless to say, however, both Python and JavaScript offer a host of different job opportunities, with multiple entry roles available for both spanning quality assurance and front-end development.
Why We Teach Both at Rithm School
At Rithm School, we believe that learning both JavaScript and Python can give you a competitive edge in your career as a developer.
By learning both languages, you can:
- Expand your skill set and knowledge base
- Increase your versatility and adaptability
- Enhance your problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
- Work on a variety of projects and domains
- Choose the best tool for the job
We teach both JavaScript and Python in our 16-week coding bootcamp, which covers topics such as HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, jQuery, React.js, Node.js, Express.js, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Django, Flask, RESTful APIs, authentication, authorization, testing, deployment, among others crucial to preparing you for the life of a software engineer!
By learning both JavaScript and Python at Rithm School, you will be able to build full-stack web applications, analyze and visualize data, create machine learning models, and more. And, more excitingly, you will also be able to collaborate with other developers, communicate with clients, and showcase your portfolio.
Ready to dive into code? Check out our application process and take your first step into your journey to becoming a software engineer!
