Here is an overview on the basic differences between Python vs. Swift. Choose wisely!
Why does Swift take lead in iOS application development? How is it faster as compared to Objective C, when both are equally popular and can be used interchangeably? How is it comparable with Python? Can it be used for web development, besides developing mobile applications? The answer to all this is Yes.
What is Swift?
Swift is a popular high level programming language for developing applications for iPhone, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple watch. It is also being used for developing web applications, HTTP servers, API’s, and server – side applications. Swift is faster than Python. Its strong syntax and the ability to support performance critical applications makes companies like Uber, Slack, and Robinhood use it for their application development.
What Python?
Python on the other hand is a general purpose programming language that is also used for web development besides mobile app development. It is not specific to a particular programming domain, and can be used for a variety of purposes. It is adaptable, simple and has a vast library of API’s, tools, frameworks, and third-party plugins. Python has become the backbone of artificial intelligence applications. If a smart door lock application has to be designed, chances are that it will be making use of MATLAB, Discreet Mathematics, and Python programming language.
Python vs. Swift: A Detailed Comparison
Here are some other differences between Python vs. Swift:
Points of comparison |
Python |
Swift |
Purpose |
It is useful for creating backend of an application. |
It is being used to create frontend and backend of iOS applications. |
Community |
It is an old programming language and thus have a large supporting user base. |
Swift user base is gradually developing. |
Popularity |
It is recommended for beginners. |
It is taken up by experts who have a knowledge of C, C++ development. |
Use Case |
It is used for creating robust backend of the applications. | It is used for developing performance – critical applications. |
Speed |
It offers slower execution due to its optimized libraries. |
It offers better speed because it is a compiled language. |
Evolution |
Released in 1991 |
Released in 2014 |
Tools and Frameworks |
Django, Flask, Pyramid, Bottle, CherryPy, AIOHTTP, Dash, Falcon, Giotto, Growler, Uvloop, Sanic, MorePath, Picnic, Pylons, Pyramid, TurboGears, Web2py, Hug, CubicWeb |
CocoaPods, SwiftUI, Xcode, Carthage, Alamofire, AvdLee App Store Connect Swift SDK |
Supporting Languages |
Python supports Anaconda, Java, Javascript, R, PHP, Ruby, Scala, Perl |
Swift supports C, C++, Objective C, Python, Javascript, Ruby, Go, Rust |
Why have python and swift acquired popularity in recent years?
Python and Swift are popular options for application development as these are easy to use, simple to learn, quickly and has a large community support. Python can be used to create complex applications that are multi-protocol, with precise, and readable syntax.
Sometimes Swift is used instead of Python! Reasons are: Swift code is compiled and not interpreted. Its source code is converted into machine readable instructions. Also Swift is faster than Python, has automatic memory management and has been created on lines of C programming language.
Swift might not be as compatible with older language versions. But it still fares well because Python code is executed (interpreted) line by line and is not a viable option for developing mobile applications.
Swift Pros and Cons
Advantages of Swift
Any swift app development company chooses Swift because of following reasons:
- Swift is being used for IOS app development.
- It avoids common mistakes due to safe programming patterns.
- It compiles code and is fast.
- It makes use of type interface to check the type of particular expression during compilation.
- Swift package manager is used to automate the download, linking of dependencies, and compilation.
- Swift code requires less memory space on server where the code resides.
- Swift can be used to program on Windows and Linux servers, in addition to Mac and iOS mobile platforms.
- It features automatic reference counting.
- Its closures are unified with function pointers.
- Tuples and multiple return values.
- Swift code is interlaced with OOPS concepts and thus features loops, arrays, referencing and indexing etc.
- It boldly features structs to support methods, extensions and protocols, functional programming patterns, errors handling;
- Swift also has a control flow with guard, do, defer, and repeat keywords
Disadvantages of Swift
There are three things that Swift programming language cannot do:
- It cannot be used for developing legacy projects that run on older versions of the operating system.
- Swift does not support third-party C or C++ frameworks. If there is a requirement to use C or C++ code with swift, a wrapper class should be added.
Python Pros and Cons
Advantages of Python
- The first thing that comes in mind with Python is its usage in data science and artificial intelligence.
- It can offer: (1) Time series analysis, (2) Data Visualization, (3) Sales predictions, (4) Language processing, (5) Sentiment analysis, (6) Classification, (7) Computer Vision, (8) Task automation;
- It is used for developing websites
- Also, Python is being used in: (1) web development, (2) Enterprise app development, (3) Education sector, (4) web scraping applications, (5) game development, (6) software development;
Disadvantages of Python
Problems faced by any Python development company:
- Python is interpreted, not compiled – so it is comparatively slower than Swift.
- It uses more memory than Swift code which can cause problems with large datasets.
- It does not have pre-built statistical models or tests.
- It does not have block comments.
- It lacks support for modules.
- Python does not allow writing device drivers, but allows writing of interrupt programs.
- It does not allow access to hardware registers.
- Python is not meant to be used for developing mobile applications, multi-threading and database access.
- Its slow speed makes it inappropriate for mobile app development.
- It consumes more memory.
- It cannot be used in the enterprise development sector.
- It faces runtime errors often.
- It is simple.
Python vs. Swift – Which one to choose?
Python is a good choice for rapid prototyping and all applications pertaining to data science, machine learning and server-side development. Although Python is easy to use but Python code is difficult to maintain and is sometimes not reliable.
Alternatively, Swift is a good option if you wish to develop server apps that require runtime safety, small memory footprint and compiled performance. A Swift Server work group exists that makes it easier for the iOS developers to develop and deploy server applications.
Swift was released to replace or at least support Objective C. It is preferable because it is faster than Python because it is compiled, not interpreted.