Golang vs Python: Which is Best for Backend Development?

Introduction 

Web and mobile application development is constant; what changes is selection of technology. Amongst multiple programming languages, we have selected two powerful languages to build robust mobile and web apps. Both programming languages have their own strengths and weaknesses and not to forget USPs too; we’ll deep dive and unfold every single piece of information so that you can pick the best one for your next mobile or web app project. So, let’s begin. 

What is Golang? Explain its Features  

Golang is a programming language developed by none other than Google. It is open-source, making it easily accessible with a prominent community ready with solutions for any challenges related to the language and software development. Golang includes developing operating systems, web apps, cloud apps, and many more. Golang is comparatively simpler programming language than other top contenders (Python, Javascript, PHP, C#, R, Swift, Kotlin, etc). Golang is known for its easy-to-understand syntax, consistent performance, smart library, and robust app security.  

Features of Golang  

We have included the most prominent and unique features wherein Golang stands ahead of its peers, which are as follows:

1. Concurrency 

Golang’s first feature concurrency (channels and Goroutines) is much appreciated since it allows functioning independent processes simultaneously, building scalable and responsive web or mobile apps.

2. Binaries 

Golang compiles to statically linked binaries, ensuring easy deployment and reduced dependencies, making it perfect for cloud-native and serverless environments.

3. No Centrally Hosted Services 

Unlike languages like Python, Go doesn't rely on external platforms, giving developers full control over their codebase and reducing potential vulnerabilities.

4. Defer Keyword 

Golang’s defer keyword simplifies resource management by automatically executing code at the end of a function, ensuring proper cleanup and reducing the risk of errors.

5. Implicit Interfaces 

Golang’s duck typing approach allows you to define interfaces implicitly, promoting code flexibility and reusability, making it easier to create modular and maintainable applications.

6. Error Handling 

Golang’s explicit error handling mechanism forces developers to handle errors gracefully, improving code reliability and reducing the likelihood of unexpected failures.

7. Functional Programming Feature 

Go offers functional programming constructs like closures and first-class functions, enabling you to write concise and expressive code, especially for data manipulation and transformation.

8. Call-by-Value 

Go's pass-by-value semantics guarantee that function arguments are copied, preventing unintended side effects and making code easier to reason about.

9. Testing Support 

Go's built-in testing framework provides tools for writing unit, integration, and benchmark tests, ensuring code quality and maintainability, making it easier to catch bugs early in the development process.  

What is Python? Explain its Features  

Python is a next-gen, multi-purpose programming language with dynamic semantics. Its cost-effective program maintenance and code readability makes it the first choice for developers planning to build applications. Python’s uses include web development, software development, data analysis, automation, scientific computing, and cybersecurity. It is great for newbies and experienced developers since it is quite easier to learn. We’ll know more about Python in this comparison blog.  

Features of Python

1. Clear syntax 

Python's syntax is designed to be intuitive and easy to understand, making it a great choice for beginners and experienced programmers alike.

2. Indentation-based structure 

Python uses indentation to define code blocks, eliminating the need for curly braces or semicolons. This enhances code readability and consistency

3. Fewer keywords 

Python has a smaller set of keywords compared to other languages, reducing the complexity of learning and writing code.

4. Dynamic typing 

Python automatically determines the data type of variables at runtime, freeing developers from the need to explicitly declare variable types.

5. Automatic memory management 

Python's garbage collector handles memory allocation and deallocation, reducing the likelihood of memory-related errors.

6. Wide range of applications 

Python is suitable for various tasks, including web development, data analysis, scientific computing, machine learning, automation, and more.

7. Extensive libraries and frameworks 

Python boasts a rich ecosystem of libraries and frameworks, such as NumPy, Pandas, TensorFlow, Django, and Flask, that provide powerful tools for specific domains.

8. Platform independence 

Python code can run on different operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) without significant modifications, making it highly portable.  

Comparison Table  

Go and Python are popular programming languages with distinct strengths. Go offers performance and concurrency, while Python has a large community and extensive libraries. This comparison explores their syntax, performance, ecosystem, and use cases.  

GO and Python Use Cases  

Now that you've seen the special qualities of the GoLang programming language, let's examine some of its business applications. The use cases, which span several industries, provide you with an idea of the potential applications for GoLang.

1. PayPal 

PayPal has extensively used Golang for its core services, including payments processing, fraud detection, and risk management. Golang's performance, scalability, and concurrency features are well-suited for handling the high-volume, low-latency transactions that PayPal processes.

2. Allegro 

Allegro, a leading e-commerce platform in Poland, has adopted Golang for its backend infrastructure. The language's efficiency and reliability have helped Allegro scale its platform to handle millions of users and transactions.

3. Uber 

Uber leverages Python for a variety of tasks, including data analysis, machine learning, and backend services. Python's rich ecosystem of libraries and frameworks, such as NumPy, Pandas, and TensorFlow, make it a powerful tool for AI and data-driven applications.

4. American Express 

American Express uses Python for various data-intensive tasks, such as fraud detection, customer analytics, and risk management. Python's flexibility and ease of use make it a popular choice for data scientists and analysts.

5.Solaris Bank 

Solaris bank, a German digital bank, has adopted Golang for its core banking platform. The language's performance and reliability are crucial for handling the real-time transactions and data processing required in a banking environment.

6. Dropbox 

Dropbox uses Python for a variety of tasks, including its web application, backend services, and data analysis. Python's versatility and readability make it a suitable choice for a wide range of applications.  

When to Choose Python and When to Choose Golang?  

The choice between Golang and Python depends on certain circumstances. For example  

Choose Python when:  

Fast Prototyping: Flexibility and extensive ecosystem of libraries enable rapid prototyping  

Data science and machine learning: Preferable for data science and machine learning tasks  

Readability and maintainability: Clean syntax and emphasis on readability makes it the first choice.  

Web development: Django and Flask  are preferable for web apps.

Choose Golang when:  

System programming: Helps building infrastructure components like network servers and distributed systems  

Reliability and robustness: Helpful for developing critical apps  

Performance and scalability: compiled nature and concurrency features are well-suited.  

Limitations of Golang and Python  

While both programming languages are powerful and bring ample capabilities on the table, both still falls short in a few list of things:  

Golang’s Limitations

1. Ecosystem 

Golang’s ecosystem is comparatively smaller than Python, which limits the accessibility of third-party libraries and tools for specific tasks.

2. Generics 

Go lacks Generics, resulting in flexibility and reusability limitations when working with collections of different types.

3. Garbage Collection 

An unpredictable pause occurs with Go’s garbage collection with apps that consume high memory.

4. Error Handling 

Despite being good at error handling, Go’s verbose code sometimes deals with nested error conditions.  

Python’s Limitations

1. Global Interpreter Lock 

Python’s global interpreter lock couldn’t utilize multiple CPU cores for concurrent tasks, resulting in poor performance in particular areas.

2. Dynamic Typing 

Dynamic typing sometimes results in runtime errors if not leverages optimally.

3. Indentation 

If indentation is inconsistent, it may lead to unexpected errors.  

Conclusion: GO vs Python for the backend?   

Both Golang and Python have special benefits and meet distinct requirements. Golang is an excellent option for systems development and scalable applications because to its speed, efficiency, and concurrency. On the other hand, Python is perfect for web development, data science, and AI because to its wide ecosystem, readability, and versatility.  

The ideal language for your project will ultimately rely on your unique needs, the experience of your team, and your overall objectives. You can choose the language that most closely matches the goals of your project by carefully weighing the advantages and disadvantages of both Golang and Python.