Groovy vs Scala: The Battle of the JVM Languages
Programming on the JVM, but which language to use?! Groovy and Scala are two of the best options available, but which one is better? Let's take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of both.
Performance
Performance is a crucial factor to consider when using any programming language. Scala is known for its impressive performance, specifically when it comes to running concurrent operations. According to the Computer Language Benchmark Game (August 2021), Scala performs better in almost all benchmarks (except for one) compared to Groovy. Scala's performance can be attributed to its static typing, which allows for faster code execution.
Winner: Scala
Syntax
When it comes to syntax, Groovy takes the title for being more human-friendly. It has a simple and easy-to-understand syntax that is similar to Java, making it a popular choice for developers who prefer a familiar coding experience. Scala, on the other hand, has a complex syntax that can be tricky to understand for beginners.
Winner: Groovy
Community Support
Both Groovy and Scala have active communities with many online resources available. However, Groovy has been around for much longer than Scala, giving it an advantage in terms of community support. Groovy has a vast collection of libraries and frameworks and is often used for web development, testing, and scripting. Scala is commonly used for complex data processing and machine learning.
Winner: Groovy
Learning Curve
Scala's complex syntax can make it difficult for beginners to learn. However, once you get past the initial learning curve, there's no denying that Scala is a powerful language. Groovy has a minimal learning curve, thanks to its straightforward syntax, which makes it an excellent choice for beginners.
Winner: Groovy
Interoperability
Both Groovy and Scala are interoperable with Java, which makes them excellent choices for JVM development. However, Groovy seamlessly provides Java integration and allows Java developers to write Groovy code and vice versa.
Winner: Groovy
References
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"Scala 3.0.2 vs. Groovy 3.0.9 comparison on the Computer Language Benchmark Game." The Computer Language Benchmarks Game, Aug. 2021,
https://benchmarksgame-team.pages.debian.net/benchmarksgame/fastest/scala-groovy.html
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Turner, James. "Groovy vs. Scala: Which will you choose?" Opensource.com, 22 Mar. 2016.