Swift vs. Java: A Detailed Comparative Study

Students pursuing a degree in programming find Swift and Java imperative. However, there is a difference in their functionalities, operations, and many other areas. For example, Java is used to develop application software while Swift creates the Apple environment. Java uses complete keywords to develop its syntax while Swift uses partial phrases. If you are intrigued to learn the differences between Swift vs. Java, then read this blog. Here, we have analyzed the complete distinction between the two programming languages.

But before moving to the comparison of Java vs. Swift, first, let us have a look at a brief overview of Swift and Java.

What is Swift?

Swift is a multi-purpose programming language created on June 2, 2014. It is a modern, commanding, creator-friendly, open-source programming language built with an open LLVM compiler. Apple Inc designed it to utilize Apple merchandise like iPads iOS tv, etc. However, it also supports many other devices. You can easily, code, compile, and run a program with it. For example, you can run codes used in objective programming languages like C, and C++ to run programs in this language. Apple developed Swift for creating Apple products like Apple cocoa and Cocoa touch frameworks.

History of Swift

Apple announced about launch of a new programming language called Swift at its worldwide developer conference on June 2, 2014. However, the collaboration with Chris Lattner and Doug Gregor John McCall to develop this language started in 2010. The company programmed this strong, uncomplicated-to-code, and open-source language by taking ideas from various other programming languages like Python, Ruby, and C.

Apple released Swift in its worldwide developer conference with Swift version 1.0 on September 9, 2014. After a year, the company upgraded the programming language with its Apache license, 2.0. The latest version is 5.8.1, released on June 1, 2023.

Features of Swift

The following are the unique features of Swift:

Wide Open-source community

Swift is an open-source programming language since it works on all platforms. Developers look for bug fixes and problems and share them with the community.

Easy to Code

Swift is very easy to write or read. Swift syntax is quick to learn and use. C, C++ language code also functions in a swift language.

Supports multiple devices

Swift is a programming language that works with many devices. It is mainly used in Apple products like mobile and desktop but it also supports many other devices.

Quick and strong

Swift is a contemporary, quick-functioning, and powerful language. In information technology, Swift programming language is high in demand. The primary reason behind it is the high performance and efficiency.

What is Java?

James Gosling developed a powerful, strong, widespread, class-based, and clean object-oriented and platform-independent programming language in 1995 called Java. Later, Oracle Database Company acquired Sun Microsystems’s program. This platform-independent programming quality helped Java to perform software or hardware systems. It is employed for developing multiple applications and gaming.

History of Java

James Gosling and Mike Sheridan Patrick Naughton, the father of Java programming language, started the program in June 1991 under the company Sun Microsystems. They initially named the program “Green Team”. After the launch of the program, the company used it primarily for programming set-top boxes, TVs, and other similar gadgets. Later, in 1994, Green Team was renamed Oak. Finally, on January 23, 1996, Java got its name and Java Development Kit was released with its first version Java1.0. The latest version of Java is Java 20. It was released on March 21, 2023.

Also read: Java Vs. Python: Which Of The Two Is Worth Learning?

Features of Java

Here are some exclusive characteristics of Java:

Simple

Java is a very straightforward language. However, it is more complicated to learn and comprehend in comparison to Swift. Java is an object-oriented language like C++. Moreover, its syntax is based on C++. However, it does not sustain pointers and operator overloading.

Platform independent

Programming languages like Java are platform-independent. It means Java can process both software and hardware systems. It includes Windows, Linux, Mac/OS, and other operating systems.

Distributed

Java is a distributed language. It means using enterprise Java beans and remote method invocation application program interface programmers can develop distributed applications. This feature allows programmers to access files through the internet from any machine.

Object-oriented programming

It is a pure Object Oriented Programming language. It means the software of Java is designed around data and objects instead of functions and logic. This feature helps programmers to contain data and behavior in their classes and objects.

Secure

Most programming languages have security as an additional feature. However, Java is the first language in computer programming that includes security an essential part of its design. Java compilers are developed with a security mind. The machines on which Java programming language is used are exceptional recognizers or identifiers. Additionally, the programming language focuses on data integrity to avoid accidental access to commoners.

Robust

Java is a powerful language. It employs mechanized garbage collection and exceptional handling.

Allocation

Java allocates memory in a stack. It has multiple advantages:

1. Stack memory allows only the owner to access the memory.
2. Allocation and deallocation become faster with stack memory
3. Consumes less space

Multithreaded

Java has a multithreading feature. It can perform multiple tasks at the same time through a program.

Swift vs. Java: A Comparative Study

Here, let us look at how Swift differs from Java in various aspects.

Swift vs. Java: Speed

Swift and Java work at different speeds. Following are the distinctions between the speeds of the two programming languages.

• Swift: Swift’s overall performance is quite faster than that of Java. It processes Mandelbrot at 3.19 seconds while Java takes 6.83 seconds to perform.
• Java: Java is also a fast program. However, its speed is mostly restricted to mathematical and statistical functions. For example, Java processes binary trees in 8.32 seconds while Swift takes 45.06 seconds.

Read more: Best Java Project Ideas for Beginners and Experts

Swift vs. Java: Syntax

Swift and Java use different syntaxes to run a program. Here is the difference:

• Swift

Here is an example of the syntax of Swift:

/* My first program in Swift 4 */

var myString = “Hello, World!”

print(myString)

• Java

Following is an example of the Java syntax:

public class MyFirstJavaProgram {

/* This is my first Java program.

* This will print ‘Hello World’ as the output

*/

public static void main(String []args) {

System.out.println(“Hello World”); // prints Hello World

}

}

Swift vs. Java: Efficiency

Swift and Java are both highly efficient programming languages. However, when you compare them you will notice the following disparities:

• Swift: Working with Swift is all about prototyping and analyzing things. Therefore Swift executables are faster than that of Java.
• Java: On the whole, Java is less efficient compared to Swift. However, when it comes to taking action, Java is more efficient than Swift.

Swift vs. Java: Inheritance

Here is the difference between Swift and Java in terms of inheritance:

• Swift: Swift uses partial symbols. For example, class child parents.
• Java: During inheritance, Java uses complete keywords. For example, class child extends parents.

Swift vs. Java: Method Of Developing Objects

Swift and Java use different methods to develop objects. For example:

• Swift: It uses initializes, init (), that develop objects of specific class, function, or type. Hence they can also perform similar functions as constructors.
• Java: Java uses instructors to develop objects. The constructors in Java must be designated in the same class. For example, a demo contains a constructor as a demo ().

Swift vs. Java: Object Creation

• Swift: Object creation in Swift appears as Var obj: A=A
• Java: Object creation in Java appears as obj=new demo()

Swift vs. Java: Uses

Here is the difference between Swift and Java in terms of uses.

·         Swift: Swift is used for developing iOS, macOS, and tvOS applications and games. In short, Swift develops the entire Apple ecosystem.

·         Java: Java is used to develop application servers, web applications, android applications, desktop applications, enterprise applications, etc.

Swift vs. Java: Companies That Use It

Not all organizations that use Swift programming language use Java too. The companies that use Swift and Java are:

Swift

Swift is used by the following organizations

• Slack
• Accenture
• Apple

Java

The following companies use the Java programming language

• Uber
• Airbnb
• Google
• Pinterest
• Netflix
• Instagram
• Spotify
• Amazon
• Snapchat
• LinkedIn

Also read: Get to Know the Difference between Java and JavaScript

Swift vs. Java: A Comparison Table

Check the table below to know the differences between Swift and Java.

Similarities between Swift and Java

Swift and Java have many similarities. The most noticeable of them is that both languages are static. It indicates that they guarantee the safety of codes. In addition, both these languages are available in compiled format. It makes them fun faster than many other programming languages. Aside from that, both Swift and Java have a massive number of libraries. However, Java comes with a gigantic library as compared with Swift.

The Bottom Line

From the discussion above, it is clear that there are multiple differences between Swift and Java. The biggest distinctions are in the concept and syntax. Swift is open-source programming while Java is object-oriented programming. Moreover, Swift syntaxes are easy to learn and use. In contrast, the syntax used in Java is puzzling and complicated. If you are intrigued to learn more about these disparities or find it difficult to write assignments in any programming language, get in touch with our assignment helpers. They can help you create error-free codes for your computer science assignments and get the desired grades.