Even though Python is one of the most popular and very powerful languages, it has strengths and weaknesses. To its disadvantages, I can mention the speed of operation, high power and memory consumption, not being the best for mobile apps, and others.
Knowing when to use Python and when to use other languages is crucial because it not only makes your work comfortable but also saves time, resources, budget, and effort.
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Weaknesses of Python and the best alternatives
Let’s talk about the best composition of programming languages in the arsenal of the software development team to close the Pythons drawbacks.
Slow Speed
Python often remains under criticism for its speed. Because it is an interoperable scripting language, it is relatively slower than its compiled counterparts, which do not need to spend time translating program text.
Python is a high-level language and is quite far from pure assembly machine code, so it is slow compared to C or C++. Also, line-by-line code reading slows down code processing.
In any program, speed is essential because the program must be user-oriented and friendly. In this respect, Python loses out to C or C++. If high speed is needed, it is better to use the latter than Python.
A weak language for mobile development
Python developers who have managed to cross-compile Python to run on Android tablets or iOS face the fact that it consumes a lot of memory and hardware power. Also, Python is too slow for mobile operating systems.
One of the crucial parts of writing an application is multiprocessing. Although Python supports multiprocessing, it may not be as flexible or user-friendly as other languages. It happens because Python does not directly support multi-threading (tasks executed in parallel in a single thread). For that reason, it is hard to execute code in parallel in Python.
For such purposes, it is better to use Java or Swift, which has become the number one language for mobile application development and provides cross-platform support. Languages such as Kotlin can also be good alternatives.
Low performance.
Python requires a lot of processing power from servers and computers. It makes Python not as fast as we wished it to be; it lags behind other languages, like Nix or Rust, in terms of performance. It is not as noticeable with capacity development, but it still makes itself felt.
Other languages may be more suitable for some tasks and can replace such weaknesses of Python. For example, if Haskell is better suited for FinTech and blockchain technologies, Rust would be a great supporter there.
Haskell
Haskell is a language that supports lazy computation. The main features are reducing the burden on resources and improving the program in terms of speed, security, and efficiency.
Different businesses invite Haskell developers for the most sophisticated integration tasks. For example, for monitoring of the whole corporation’s software stability, invulnerability, and safety. Haskell can accept the rules of any language by which language constructions are built and learn to analyze this language.
As another use, we can say about financial instruments. The main requirement for financial tools is accuracy, safety, and error-free. Many corporations use Haskell for systems that record bank transactions, stock trading, risk analysis, or financial monitoring tools.
Rust
Rust is a programming language designed for better performance and security. Because of its performance, system programming at a low level uses Rust – operating systems, drivers, and embedded systems. However, the area of application is wide.
Primarily, Rust is a system programming language. However, Blockchain development is another example of Rust’s use. Systems based on a distributed registry must be able to quickly process requests within the network with minimal load on the device. That is why the infrastructure development using Rust will be even more effective than the C++ language, which perfectly copes with the task.
The main advantages are safe memory handling, avoiding segmentation errors, and offering correction options for many errors at compile time.
Elixir
Elixir is a programming language running on top of Erlang. Like Erlang, Elixir is a functional language with strict computation, single assignment, and dynamic typing. Elixir is a programming language that has some advantages and applications.
It’s fast and, for example, much faster than Ruby. For user experience, speed is one of the essential parameters.
Another advantage is parallelism, and it is possible to run several processes that work independently in software development thanks to that advantage.
Various projects can use functional programming in Elixir. In particular, Elixir is suitable for projects with the following requirements and characteristics: parallelism, low latency, scalability, and real-time applications.
Overall
Python’s application is amazingly wide, from web development to business solutions and machine learning, but in each case, it is necessary to consider its shortcomings to achieve maximum efficiency. Python is effective in cases where its functionality fits the task criteria, but even Python is not a silver bullet.
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