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Scala Vs Java

Scala vs Java: Language comparison between Scala and Java to know which programming language is better? Is Scala, even after being complex and with some complex structures is worthy to learn. By Shivang Yadav Last updated : April 01, 2023

Scala Programming is a bit complex and some of its features are a bit tough to learn. For a programmer is Scala a good upgrade from Java, let's see what Scala can do? Scala is an object-oriented programming language and incorporates features of functional programming language too. So let's see how different is scala from Java?

Differences between Scala and Java

Java	Scala
Java is an object oriented programming language.	Scala is both object-oriented and functional programming language i.e. it incorporates the feature of both.
Java code is a bit easier to read due to long syntax.	Scala code being more nested and short is harder for the user while reading.
Java programmer has to explicitly define the data type of variables created. Example : int x = 30;	Scala programmer may or may not define the datatype of the variables. Example, var x = 30
To define the variable static ‘static’ keyword is used.	To define variable static ‘val’ keyword is used.
Java code does not support lazy object creation.	In Scala, lazy objects are created using lazy keyword. Example, val lazy cs
Compilation time of Java program in less.	Scala code takes more time to compile and convert into byte code.
Operator overloading is not available in Java programming language.	Scala supports operator overloading.
By default, Java variables are mutable.	By default, Scala variables are immutable.
Java has statics that is not part of objects.	Scala is treats everything as objects.

Programs to demonstrate Scala Vs Java

A basic program in SCALA and JAVA just to show you the difference between the programming languages.

Basic program in Java

import java.util.*;

public class myClass {
    public static void main(String args[]) {
        int a = 10, b = 34, sum;
        float avg;
        sum = a + b;
        avg = (float)((a + b) / 2);

        System.out.print("Sum : " + sum + "\nAverage : " + avg);
    }
}

Output

Sum : 44
Average : 22.0

Basic program in Scala

object MyClass {
	def main(args: Array[String]) {
		var a = 10
		var b = 34
		var sum = 0
		var avg = 0
		
		sum = a+b
		avg = ((a+b)/2)
		
		println("Sum : " +sum +"\nAverage : " +avg)
	}
}

Output

Sum : 44
Average : 22

Scala Vs Java - Points of difference

The code as you can see in Scala is a bit easier and with lesser constraints as compared to Java. You don’t have to mention things like data type and access modifier in Scala code. Also, it is lenient in type conversion thus reducing programmers load.

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