~/Java vs Go Key Differences

Sep 13, 2019

Performance and Speed
Java uses a Java Virtual Machine, adding some overhead but aiding cross platform compatibility. Go compiles directly to machine code, typically yielding faster startup and lower memory usage.

Syntax
Go offers simpler syntax and no exceptions, while Java has richer OOP features.

Concurrency
Go routines and channels in Go provide lightweight threading. Java uses threads which are heavier and more complex to manage.

Ecosystem
Java benefits from a broad library ecosystem. Go has a growing standard library with more focus on simplicity.

Typical Use Cases
Java is common in enterprise applications, Android development, and large-scale backend services. Go excels in cloud services and network tools.

Code Example
Java Hello World:

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public class Main {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    System.out.println("Hello, World");
  }
}

Go Hello World:

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

Decision
Choose Java for legacy integration or when you need advanced OOP features. Use Go for fast, simple, and concurrent applications. Review official docs and golang.org for updates.