Scala vs Java: A detailed comparison between both Scala and Java

Scala vs Java

Here in this blog, CodeAvail experts will explain to you about Scala vs Java in detail.

Scala vs Java

Scala and Java names look common to so many people, what separates them?. Both Java and Scala have their own features. Java is a general-purpose computer programming language that is object-oriented, class-based, concurrent, etc. Java applications select to bytecode that can run on each Java virtual machine (JVM) despite computer architecture.

Scala is a multi-paradigm, high-level, general-purpose programming language. It is a pure object-oriented programming language. For example, that also gives support to the functional programming approach.

Also, there is no idea of primitive data as in Scala everything is an object. It is created to show the general programming models in a type-safe, succinct, and refine way. Likewise, In this blog, we have given in detailed difference on Scala vs Java.

What is Scala?

It is a statically typed programming language that includes object-oriented and functional programming. Also, it essentially targets the Java Virtual Machine platform but it applies to write various platforms software. However, it incorporates native platforms using Javascript and Scala-Native runtimes through Scala.

Features of Scala

Here are the essential Scala features:

  • Scala is statically typed
  • Scala is object-oriented. But also it is a functional language.
  • Enables you to execute Java code
  • It is a short, strong language. And can immediately grow according to the user’s demand.

Advantages of Scala

Programmers that work with objects find Scala simple to learn (Java developers). It is becoming one of the most popular languages in recent years. It offers first-class functions for users. It can be executed on JVM, thus paving the way for interoperability with other languages. 

Scala is designed for applications that are concurrent, distributed, resilient, and message-driven. One of the hardest languages of this decade is Scala. Scala is a concise, powerful language and can quickly grow according to the demand of its users. 

Scala is object-oriented and has many functional programming features providing much flexibility to the developers to code in the way they want. It has an exact syntax, eliminating boilerplate code.

 Programs written in it require less code than similar programs written in Java. The language Scala is both object-oriented and functional. It is an excellent choice for web development because of this mix. Java code may be run using Scala.

It uses an expressive type system to provide secure and reliable statistical abstraction.

Scala is easy to learn, especially for programmers with an object-oriented background in Java or a similar language. It is highly scalable and useful for building fault-tolerant, highly concurrent systems.

Scala is ideal for data analytics when supported by tools like Apache Spark.

Disadvantages of Scala

It offers a very limited community presence.Scala is a challenging language.Scala Offers very limited backward compatibility.Scala has a limited community presence, especially when compared to Java. The IDE plug-ins in particular are a perfect example of Java’s development tools’ immaturity and lack of sophistication.

What is Java?

Java is a computer programming language utilizes for general purposes and is object-oriented, concurrent, and class-based. By James Gosling it was developed in 1995 at Sun Microsystems, the organization later received by Oracle in 2009. The language is made so that developers can run it on all platforms that support Java without requiring to be recompiled.

Some features of Java

Some of the essential Java features are:

  • Java is highly Robust and Very Secure
  • It describes an instance of a class like encapsulation, abstraction inheritance, polymorphism.
  • In this case, it writes code only once and runs it on almost every computer platform
  • It is created for developing object-oriented applications.
  • Java is easy to understand Language. It has no complication in its features like an inheritance, pointer, operator overloading, etc.
  • Java is a multithreaded language with automated memory management.

Advantages of Java

Java is easy to learn. In Java, detailed documentation is available.

Java is a highly secure, very robust language. Java Allows you to form standard programs and reusable code.

Java is a multi-threaded environment that allows you to perform many tasks. 

Java provides Excellent performance. In Java, available Huge array of 3rd party libraries. In Java Easy to navigate libraries

It also has multi-platform compatibility and follows the WORA (write once, run anywhere) principle. Java provides features of a garbage collector, so there is no need for programmers to manage memory.

Disadvantages of Java

Java takes up more memory. The software runs rather slowly because of the Java JIT compiler. It has high memory and processing requirements. Therefore, hardware cost increases.

Java No support for low-level programming constructs like pointers. You don’t have any control over garbage collection as Java does not provide functions like delete() or free(). It consumes more memory and is significantly slower than natively compiled languages like C or C++.

Its default GUI applications are written in Java, and the Swing toolkit looks quite different from native applications.

Significant differences between Java vs Scala

  • The variables of Scala are by default immutable type on the other hand variables of Java are by default mutable type.
  • Java is a network-centric, multi-platform, programming language. Whereas Scala is a static-type programming language.
  • Scala does not include static members. While Java includes static members.
  • However, it does not give backward compatibility. But Java does give backward compatibility.
  • Scala helps lazy evaluation. On the other hand, Java does not support lazy evaluation.
  • The actor model uses in Scala for maintaining modern concurrency. Whereas for concurrency, Java uses the conventional thread-based model.
  • Frameworks Scala are Lift and Play. On the other hand, Java frameworks are Grails, Spring, and many more.
  • Scala promotes operator overloading. But Java does not support operator overloading.
  • Because of the nested code, Scala is less readable whereas Java is more readable.

Scala vs Java comparison table

ParametersScalaJava
Supported frameworksSupports frameworks – Lift, PlaySupports Grails, Spring, much more
Support for Various inheritancesSupports various inheritances by using classes but not by abstract classesAccordingly, Does not support various inheritances by using classes, but by interfaces
CompactnessGenerally, more concise and compactComparatively bigger parts of code
Lazy evaluation supportLikewise, it Supports lazy evaluationThus, it does not support lazy evaluation
Designed forIt is created and produced to be both functional and object-oriented language. It supports an extensive type of functional programming features such as Immutability and concurrency.Basically produced as an object-oriented language and started helping features of functional programming in current days. For example, it is not as effective as a functional programming language.
InterfacesTraits – function like Java 8 interfacesJava 8 interfaces try to connect the gap between interfaces and objects 
Concurrency modelFor supporting modern concurrency it uses the actor modelFor concurrency, it uses the conventional thread-based model.
URL rewritingThere is need for rewritingAccordingly, Rewriting is not required
Static membersNo static membersGenerally, Includes static members
The static keywordIt does not include the static keyword.Java includes the static keyword.
ReadabilityBecause of its nested code, Scala is less readable.However, Java is more readable.
Operator overloadingAlso supports operator overloadingDo not support operator overloading
Bug-free codesNo certainty about the bug-free codesLikewise, Complete insurance of lesser defects
Code styleIn Scala code is written in a short form.The code is written in long-form.
Compilation processTherefore source code compilation is relatively slowSource code compilation is faster than Scala
Process Compiling The process of source code compiled into byte code is very late.Accordingly, the process of source code compiled into byte code is quick.
Guide for backward compatibilityScala does not help backward compatibilityLikewise, Java helps backward compatibility
Variables typesVariables of Scala are by default immutable type.But variables of Java are by default mutable type.
TreatsAny function or method given in Scala is they are used like they are variable.Java uses functions as an object.
Calling methodEvery operation in Scala on entities implemented using method calls.Likewise, In Java Operators are managed separately and it is not done using the call method.

Similarities between Java and Scala

Both are distinct languages with numerous distinctions and few similarities. We will discuss the similarities. 

  1. Although it offers less integration, you may call Java from Scala and Scala from Java. In addition, Scala allows you to utilize open-source Java libraries and existing application code.
  2. Although both Scala and Java are object-oriented, which is one of their key differences, Scala goes a step further and also supports the functional programming paradigm.
  3. Both languages are JVM-based; Scala generates Java-compatible byte code and utilizes the Java Virtual Machine. Scala features a compiler called scala that converts Scala code into byte code, similar to the Java compiler javac. At this point, all JVM languages, including Groovy, JRuby, and Scala, are on a level with Java regarding memory use, type systems, and JVM execution.
  4. Scala is supported by the most popular Java IDEs, including Eclipse, Netbeans, and IntelliJ.

What are the trending languages between Java and Scala in 2023?

As of my knowledge cutoff date in 2023, Java was still a more widely used and popular programming language compared to Scala. Java has a long history of use in enterprise applications, web development, and mobile app development, and is known for its stability, performance, and security. Scala, on the other hand, is a relatively new language that has gained popularity in recent years, especially in the domains of big data, distributed computing, and machine learning.

Java-Vs-Scala
This snapshot was taken by google Trends.
 

However, trends can shift rapidly in the world of technology, and it is difficult to predict which language will be trending more in the future. Both Java and Scala are likely to remain popular and relevant in the programming community, and the choice between the two depends on the specific needs and requirements of a project. It is worth noting that many developers are now exploring alternative programming languages that offer benefits such as improved productivity, simplicity, and scalability, such as Python, Kotlin, and Rust.

Conclusion

In this case, Scala is a pure object-oriented programming language. By the way, that also gives support to the functional programming approach. There is no idea of primitive data as in Scala everything is an object. Therefore, it creates to show the general programming models in a type-safe, succinct, and refined way. However, Java allows the developers to run the identical code on different platforms.

So, applications on the bIs Scala better than Java?asis of Java normally compile to bytecode. In conclusion, we have given all the essential pieces of information regarding Scala vs Java difference and comparison. Also, we have given the features of both the programming languages for your better understanding.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is Scala better than Java?

Due to Scala’s simplicity and difficult/confusing syntax, it is thought that Scala is a little more difficult to master.  Java is much simpler to understand than Scala. Scala is less readable than Java due to its nested code and complicated syntax, while Java offers excellent readability.

Is Java losing popularity?

Java is a high-level, object-oriented programming language. Java is also a platform. Java has its own runtime environment and tools. That’s why it is also called a platform. These features make it more popular than Scala.
So we are not saying Java is losing popularity because, in the last 5 years, as per Google Trends, Java has been more popular than Scala. Still, both languages have more characteristics you can use according to your requirements.

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