Java Vs Go

Go and Java both languages are used by a large number of developers across the world. As both the languages offer feature of server-side programming, it can be a difficult task to choose one of them. In this section, we have discussed the major differences between Java and Go programming languages.

What is Java?

Java is an object-oriented programming language, released by Sun Microsystems in the year 1995.
Java programming is one of the most preferred programming languages due to its many features. It is platform-independent. It does not support explicit pointers. This makes Java programs more secure.
One must install JDK before executing the Java program. The Java code is first compiled into a byte code. And the byte code is then interpreted. The byte code can be executed on any other platform which has Java Virtual Machine (JVM) installed on it. This makes the Java programs portable.
There are three versions of Java.
1. Java EE (Enterprise Edition)
2. Java SE (Standard Edition)
3. Java ME (Micro Edition)

Java Program Example

The following program demonstrates how to write a basic Java program.

Sample.java

/* Declaration of Class */
class Sample
{  
    /* Driver Code */
public static void main(String ar[])
   {  
      /* Print statement */
System.out.println("Hello World");  
    }  
}  

Output:

Hello World

The above Java program declares a class Sample. The System.out.println() method displays the output on the output window.

What is Go?

Go is an open-source programming language developed by Robert Griesemer, Rob Pike, and Ken Thompson at Google.
It was publicly released in 2011 by Google.
Go is a server-side programming language that is also statically typed and compiled.
Go programs doesn't require semicolon at the end of each statement.
Go programming doesn't offer error handling mechanism. It means programmer will have to spend more time on debugging the code.

Go Program Example

The following program demonstrates how to write a basic Go program.

Sample.go

package main
import "fmt"
func main()
{
fmt.Println("Hello World")
}

Output:

$ go run Sample.go
Hello World

In the above Go program,

A main package is declared.
The fmt package is imported. It contains all the functions for text formatting and printing on the console. The fmt package is installed at the time of Go installation.
A main() function is declared to write the main code that prints a message to the console using Println() function.

Similarities Between Java and Go

Server-side programs: Go and Java both can be used for server-side programming.
C-language family: Both languages are developed from C programming and allow use of access specifier.
Garbage collection facility: Go and Java both have garbage collection facility which helps to free up the memory space.

Difference Between Go and Java

S. N.	Go	Java
1.	Go program code is compact. It doesn't require parentheses hence number of errors is reduced.	Java program code is lengthy but stable. It uses object-oriented programming approach.
2.	Go is a compiled language. So, it directly generates binary file.	Java programming is compiled as well as interpreted. Compiled Java code is called byte code.
3.	Go uses concept of pointers.	Java doesn't support pointers.
4.	Go supports the feature of garbage collection.	Java uses traditional garbage collector.
5.	Go is a new programming language so the developers are making new improvements in it.	Java is older and well known programming language. It has support of thousands of developers across the world.
6.	Go is comparatively easy to learn.	Java can be a little difficult to learn for new programmers.
7.	Go code is simpler than Java.	Java code can be complex.
8.	Go doesn't have do-while and while statements.	Java offers do-while and while statements.
9.	Go programming doesn't have generics.	Java offers generics.
10.	Go doesn't allow function overloading.	Function overloading is possible in Java.
11.	Go doesn't allow concept of inheritance.	Java offers feature of inheritance.
12.	In Go programming, a class don't have constructors and destructors.	In Java programming, classes can have constructors and destructors.
13.	Go doesn't allow implicit type conversion.	Implicit type conversion is allowed in Java.
14.	Go is best for smaller projects.	Java is great to work with larger projects.

Which is better Java or Go?

Go and Java both can be used for Server side programming. Java is older and has more features than Go. As Go is a new and fresh language, if the developer is keen to learn new language, they can choose Go programming.

The choice totally depends on the kind of application is needs to be developed and what type of skill set is necessary.

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