Register for our webinar

How to Nail your next Technical Interview

1 hour
Loading...
1
Enter details
2
Select webinar slot
*Invalid Name
*Invalid Name
By sharing your contact details, you agree to our privacy policy.
Step 1
Step 2
Congratulations!
You have registered for our webinar
check-mark
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
1
Enter details
2
Select webinar slot
*All webinar slots are in the Asia/Kolkata timezone
Step 1
Step 2
check-mark
Confirmed
You are scheduled with Interview Kickstart.
Redirecting...
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
close-icon
Iks white logo

You may be missing out on a 66.5% salary hike*

Nick Camilleri

Head of Career Skills Development & Coaching
*Based on past data of successful IK students
Iks white logo
Help us know you better!

How many years of coding experience do you have?

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Iks white logo

FREE course on 'Sorting Algorithms' by Omkar Deshpande (Stanford PhD, Head of Curriculum, IK)

Thank you! Please check your inbox for the course details.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Our June 2021 cohorts are filling up quickly. Join our free webinar to Uplevel your career
close
closeAbout usWhy usInstructorsReviewsCostFAQContactBlogRegister for Webinar

Golang vs. Python: Performance, Syntax, and Use Cases Compared

Last updated by Vartika Rai on Aug 31, 2024 at 12:41 PM | Reading time: 4 minutes

The fast well prepared banner

Attend our Free Webinar on How to Nail Your Next Technical Interview

WEBINAR +LIVE Q&A

How To Nail Your Next Tech Interview

Golang vs. Python: Performance, Syntax, and Use Cases Compared
Hosted By
Ryan Valles
Founder, Interview Kickstart
strategy
Our tried & tested strategy for cracking interviews
prepare list
How FAANG hiring process works
hiring process
The 4 areas you must prepare for
hiring managers
How you can accelerate your learnings

In the programming world, Golang (Go) and Python are intense competitors, each having special features. According to Statista, 15.7 million developers use Python, while 3.3 million choose Golang. Though the numbers speak for huge differences, developers have their stance in support of the language they opt for.

As developers explore the multifaceted approach for their projects, a careful comprehension of the performance, syntax, and use cases of Golang and Python becomes important.

Here’s what we'll cover: 

  • Comparative Analysis
  • Developer Experience
  • Get Ready to Nail Your Next Tech Interview with IK
  • FAQs about Python vs Golang

Comparative Analysis 

Feature Golang Python
Performance Exceptional in concurrency and parallelism, making it ideal for scalable systems. Not as performant in high-concurrency scenarios, excels in versatility and ease of use.
Syntax Explicit and concise syntax, emphasizing simplicity and readability. Static typing catches errors during compilation. Known for readability and simplicity, adhering to the principle of "code readability counts." Dynamic typing provides flexibility.
Use Cases Backend development, microservices architecture, and scalable network servers. Widely used in Docker and Kubernetes. Versatile applications, including web development, data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Popular frameworks include Django and Flask.
Concurrency Model Built-in goroutines and channels enable efficient concurrent operations, enhancing scalability. Supports threading for concurrency, but the Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) can limit parallelism. Multiprocessing can be used for parallel tasks.
Memory Management Automatic garbage collection simplifies memory management, reducing the likelihood of memory leaks. Also uses automatic garbage collection, but memory management may not be as efficient as Golang.
Readability Syntax is explicit and enforces a more rigid structure, appealing to developers who value clarity. Known for readability-first approach, favoring human-friendly code. Suitable for beginners and projects requiring a clear codebase.
Ecosystem Growing ecosystem with a focus on performance and scalability. Rich standard library. Mature ecosystem with an extensive collection of libraries and frameworks. Particularly strong in data science and machine learning.
Learning Curve Relatively moderate learning curve. Concise syntax contributes to ease of learning. Gentle learning curve, making it beginner-friendly. Readable syntax aids comprehension for new developers.
Community Support Strong community support with a focus on performance optimization and scalability. Large and vibrant community, particularly active in web development, data science, and machine learning.
Deployment Single binary deployment simplifies distribution. Ideal for containerized environments. Deployment may involve more dependencies. Containerization with tools like Docker is common.
Industry Adoption Widely adopted in industries requiring high-performance backend services. Ubiquitous in various industries, especially web development, data science, and machine learning.
Concurrency Challenges Potential challenges in managing complex concurrent patterns and race conditions. Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) can limit parallelism, requiring workaround solutions for CPU-bound tasks.
Scalability Exceptional scalability due to an efficient concurrency model. Suited for large-scale systems. Scalable for many applications, but limitations due to GIL can impact performance in certain scenarios.

Developer Experience

Let’s review the developers’ version of the two:

Golang (Go)

Golang is known for its effortlessness and developer-friendly syntax, adding to a generally sensitive learning curve. With brief and explicit syntax, new developers can easily grasp the essentials, speeding up the onboarding system. Golang's emphasis on readability and convention promotes a steady coding style, facilitating coordinated effort in development teams. The language's strict compiler catches errors early in the development cycle, giving significant feedback and enhancing code  reliability. Also, Golang's minimalistic approach to language features decreases complexity, making it conducive for quick perception for developers transitioning from different languages.

Developer experience in Golang is described by efficient tooling and a clear development process. The incorporation of tools like "go fmt" for code formatting and "go vet" for static analysis adds to a consistent development environment. The standardization of project designs and dependency management using the "go modules" framework further smoothes out the development process, creating a positive and productive experience for developers.

Python

Python, known for its adaptability and flexibility, boasts a gentle learning curve that appeals to beginners and experienced developers. The language's syntax looks like simple English, working with understanding and reducing the barrier to entry. Python's dynamic typing allows adaptability in coding, empowering developers to prototype and iterate rapidly. The extensive documentation and supportive community contribute to a wealth of resources for learning and problem-solving.

Developer experience in Python is enhanced by an ecosystem of libraries and frameworks, giving instant solutions for different tasks. Popular Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) like PyCharm and Jupyter Notebooks upgrade the coding experience, offering features like code completion and debugging devices. Python's focus on readability and expressiveness adds to an intuitive development project.

Get Ready to Nail Your Next Tech Interview with IK

The decision between Golang vs Python depends on project requirements and development priorities. Golang's  performance makes it ideal for backend systems, especially in microservices architecture. Python's flexibility, readability, and ecosystem position it as a powerhouse for web development, data science, and AI. Designers should consider factors like performance demands, simplicity of learning, and community support while choosing the language that aligns with their project objectives. The features of Golang and Python ensure that they play an important role in the world of programming development.

If you’re looking for some expert guidance on how to put across your skills and expertise and land lucrative software engineering positions at tech giants, look no further than IK. Our interview prep courses brace you with the right skills and confidence to nail the most challenging tech interview!

FAQs About Golang and Python

Q1. Which is more suitable for concurrent programming, Golang or Python?

Golang succeeds in concurrent programming because of its channels, making it ideal for tasks requiring high concurrency. Python may face limitations in this aspect.

Q2. What kind of projects is Python better suited for compared to Golang?

Python’s broad ecosystem makes it a favored decision for applications with different requirements.

Python is suitable for applications like:

  • web development
  • data science
  • AI

Q3. How does the learning curve differ between Golang and Python?

Golang has a relatively straightforward learning curve, emphasizing simplicity and explicit syntax. Python, known for readability, also offers an accessible learning experience, making it beginner-friendly.

Q4. In terms of performance, why would one choose Golang over Python?

Golang's superior performance, especially in concurrent tasks, makes it a preferred choice for projects with scalability demands. Its compiled nature and efficient concurrency model contribute to better runtime efficiency.

Q5. Which language is more commonly used in microservices architecture, Golang or Python?

Golang is frequently preferred for microservices architecture because of its performance, readability, and suitability for building adaptable backend systems. Python is used, yet Golang's features make it a famous decision in this area.

Last updated on: 
October 10, 2024
Author

Vartika Rai

Product Manager at Interview Kickstart | Ex-Microsoft | IIIT Hyderabad | ML/Data Science Enthusiast. Working with industry experts to help working professionals successfully prepare and ace interviews at FAANG+ and top tech companies

Attend our Free Webinar on How to Nail Your Next Technical Interview

Register for our webinar

How to Nail your next Technical Interview

1
Enter details
2
Select webinar slot
First Name Required*
Last Name Required*
By sharing your contact details, you agree to our privacy policy.
Step 1
Step 2
Congratulations!
You have registered for our webinar
check-mark
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
1
Enter details
2
Select webinar slot
Step 1
Step 2
check-mark
Confirmed
You are scheduled with Interview Kickstart.
Redirecting...
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Golang vs. Python: Performance, Syntax, and Use Cases Compared

Worried About Failing Tech Interviews?

Attend our webinar on
"How to nail your next tech interview" and learn

Ryan-image
Hosted By
Ryan Valles
Founder, Interview Kickstart
blue tick
Our tried & tested strategy for cracking interviews
blue tick
How FAANG hiring process works
blue tick
The 4 areas you must prepare for
blue tick
How you can accelerate your learnings
Register for Webinar
entroll-image