Go (Golang)
Go, or more commonly known as Golang (Go language) is an open-source programming language developed by Google. Golang is primarily known for concurrent programming and is capable of running multiple processes simultaneously. Being part of the C-family of programming languages, Go uses a garbage collector in handling what developers call memory leaks.
The purpose of making Go is to improve on the already existing programming languages, with the hopes of making a new one that is quick, easy, and more efficient when compared with other programming languages out there.
Python
Python is an object-oriented programming language with design focused on readability. Many Python developers have said that Python is great for programming basics and learning to organize ideas into code.
Python is among the fastest languages out there since they require significantly few lines of code which gives emphasis on readability and simplicity, making it just as much of a great choice for beginners in programming.
Readability
Both Go and Python take pride in their readability and simplicity.
Both touched up well on readability to help avoid the unnecessary code that is placed in many programming languages such as doing away with the colons at the end of the lines and brackets. Most of the time, these can seem too messy and lengthy.
Error Handling
One peculiarity with Go is that it has an unconventional way of error handling, which means that Go developers must be able to know how to code Go since a part of their skill involves working around Go’s error handling with less automation. However, once Go developers get a feel of the tricky parts in error handling, Go significantly comes at an advantage. Because of this simplicity, a part of your time must be reserved for debugging purposes and error handling.
Other than that, there is significant time spent on error handling for Go developers. This is one way to accommodate possible errors in coding when it comes to the Go programming language.
Python possesses an Integrated Development Environment (IDEs) which automates the spotting of errors as the code is written in real-time.
This being said, Python is the winner at error handling because Go leaves a greater room for debugging since their error handling is peculiar and requires a more skilled developer.
Speed
It cannot be denied that both Python and Go are fast, but when pitting the two against each other, Go significantly beats Python when it comes to speed. Go’s primary purpose of being built as a programming language was for speed. While Python is fast, that wasn’t the creator’s goals for building Python. Besides, Go was built significantly later than Python where Go was established in 2007 while Python in 1991.
Go is even faster than Java, which was faster than Python. Just by comparing these alone already sets Go at a distinct advantage when talking about speed in coding.
Libraries
When it comes to libraries, time is an ally. Python wins this aspect as Python is significantly older than Go. Python has therefore able to establish a larger community around the language than Go. With Python’s libraries being vast, many people expect immediate results on day one.
However, it still must be duly noted that Go doesn’t shy away from a good quality library. While Python has much wider presence of library and data tables, many software developers are already satisfied with Go’s existing libraries despite it being fewer than Python’s.
Learning Curve
Both do not possess that steep of a learning curve and are quick and easy when it comes to starting to learn about programming. Both are capable of being learned by first time developers. However, the winning side of the coin would go to Python only because Go has an unconventional error handling.
This means that being only well familiar about Go language is not enough. Go developers must be well immersed with all the features and the nitty-gritties of Go language because it requires more experience in order to debug efficiently. Developers must be more careful when coding in Go than they do in Python.
Go or Python?
In the end, if developers prefer speed, Go is the way to go. The simplicity and agility of the language help developers achieve significant results quicker than Python.
When it comes to libraries and community support, Python is the optimal choice.
In conclusion, both have their own ways of dealing with coding in the world of software development. There is, no doubt, the capability of being able to produce concrete and significant results whether you decide to go with Python or Go, and you will surely not regret using either of the two. The rest of the decision would rely primarily on each developers’ preferences.