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Are you stuck at comparing which programming language is more complex learning between Scala and Java? To arrive at a detailed and accurate conclusion, you need to consider many things.
In this article, we will keenly compare Scala and Java in terms of which one of them is harder learning. This comparison will not be one-sided or biased opinions, but only what experts and students have to say about learning these two programming languages.
Scala is a general-purpose programming language providing support for both object-oriented programming and functional programming. It entails a static type system that is designed to be concisely aimed to address critics of Java.
On the other hand, Java is a class-based, object-oriented programming language designed to have as few implementation dependencies possible. It is intended to let application developers write once and run anywhere, meaning that java code can run on all platforms that support Java without recompilation.
The dominance of Java stands uncontested though Scala reiterates that it is far much ahead than Java. Scala dominates to be great because it solves the many issues that are common with Java.
Going a notch higher, Scala language is undisputedly more complex to master than Java. The validation of this statement is crystal clear as it is opinionated below;
The learning curve of Scala is steeper than Java since it is an Object-Oriented scalable programming language. Understanding functional programming entails mathematical concepts like the theory of categories; syntax.
You will become an effective and efficient developer in Java much faster than in Scala since its learning requires weeks instead of Scala.
Scala’s functional programming encompasses:
1. Currying
2. Recursion
3. Higher-Order Functions
4. Anonymous Functions
5. Lambda Functions
6. DSL’s
7. Case classes
8. Traits
9. Scala has objects only with one instance
10. There are some weird functions with no parameters, with one parameter, with no return types, sometimes with one returns a class.
Scala straddles two different programming paradigms since it allows powerful abstractions and types of interference, making for tighter code. This proves mastery of Scala takes more time since it’s complicated.
Are you convinced?


Is Scala Difficult To Learn?
Acquisition of knowledge is paramount depending on several considerations. You get it wrong when you begin misconstruing something without involvement in it. Learning sprang into action by developing passion and interests and spending your time getting to know something.
Learning Scala is not as hard as you think. Click here to get started.
Back on track, I’m afraid I have to disagree that learning Scala tends to be complicated. Do you agree with me? Before you imprint a perspective about learning Scala, go through the following reasons to ascertain that learning Scala is interesting.
Here we go!
- Scala is much less verbose. For instance, in Java, you have to type out a lot to get anything done. Much less typing is done in Scala, e.g., parameterization of generics; Scala makes it less verbose that you need to infer that if one side specifies a string parameter, the other side should. This never happens in Java.
- Scala boasts of much better support for functional programming.
This is worth spinning off into its branch since it supports several FP constructs, such as for-comprehensions. 777
Scala also supports the flexibility of thinking much better than any language like Java.
- Scala’s concurrency model isn’t a nightmare.
Scala multithreading option is far much better. Java’s multithreading option sucks a lot! Anything that makes implementing easier is a good thing, and that’s what the Scala industry is trending towards. Most programmers find it challenging to deal with Java’s threads and locks.
- Scala has mixings
Due to the consistent problems like Diamond of Death, which come up with the multiple inheritances, Scala has a nerved form of numerous estates that delivers many benefits without nailing you to such irritating problems.
Scala works quickly and can use classes written in Java as it can use those written in Scala. This means that there are numerous third-party libraries you can use in Scala.
Thinking about programming mathematically, then Scala is the BEST!
Should I Learn Java or Scala?
Get it right; disparities in how you are impressed about something are far different from somebody else.
You need to go deep and dig out the information you can support your criticism for full conviction. Yes, without much further ado, One needs to learn Scala instead. This is not a constriction, but it depends on your point of view. The option of learning both languages will be much better also since you will be able to stand a chance to explain them.
If Java works for you, then it is well and good, and if Scala is your option, it’s well also.
I would say that you need to learn Scala.
With all the privileges Java offers because of the JVM, you will enjoy Scala, though at a better scope since Scala is also based in JVM.
Frankly, Scala is a well-paying, high profile, growing data science, and large-scale computing niche. Its projects bring about clear language and performance improvements that it becomes a compelling choice.
Scala renders you more flexibility in writing Domain-Specific languages than Java.
Writing programs concurrently is much simpler in Scala compared to Java.
Scala offers a much more extensive and expressive approach to functional programming. The simple combination of Algebraic Data Types and pattern matching is something that java languages do not equal in simplicity combined with power.
Scala will continue to be doing exciting things in interesting niches, while Java will continue to be the enterprise’s default language.
If you have to choose one, your option is between incremental improvements with a known, secure tool and much new that can be learned from something more ambitious.
Can Scala replace Java?
At its birth, Scala was touted to replace Java. That has been outlived because the Java industry improved and introduced some functional programming features. Java introduced features like lambdas and stream, but Java developers will still find Scala to be a language to learn from.
Scala has more scope than you realise. Click here to get up to speed.
You will find it true that every programming language has a role; it plays instead of generally quoting that to yourself that the languages play a similar role.
In the software engineering world right now, the two languages are used differently.
Java, for instance, has around 20 years of experience under its belt, which has proved worldwide to be worth for it has been used in creating robust web applications, android applications, and enterprise-level applications.
Scala being more recent when compared to Java, has been much reliable in the big data industry. Programmers are much encouraged to use Scala due to its functional programming elements; thus, most preferring Scala over Java, which is valid from the above concoction.
So will it replace Java? On my basis, NO!
It can only be possible if the if, and only android programmers start coding mobile applications in Scala. They would have significantly less documentation to refer to and very few built-in libraries to simplify their tasks.
Another option can be if significant software compares agree to invest millions of penny in porting their legendary codebases from Java to Scala. From these considerations, it is clear that Java is still here to stay and rock the data world.
The high dependency on Java makes it not worth replacing Java with another programming language like Scala.
Though Scala has got excellent features and it’s on the rise in the data world. Thus the future is luminous with Scala since developers regularly contribute to add more valuable features to the language.
What is the difference between Scala and Java?
You desire to understand the comparison between Java and Scala? Tag along to understand the differences better.
-Scala is a statically typed programming language, whereas Java is a multi-platform, dynamically-typed, network-centric programming language.
-Scala is less readable since of the nested code, while Java is more readable.
-The frameworks in Scala are more of Play, Lift while Java’s frameworks are spring, Grails, etc.
-Javas very verbose in that when writing Java code, you need to write long-form code even for simple and routine tasks, while Scala is built for writing concise code; thus, one code of line of Scala code can easily replace twenty lines of “simple” Java code.
-Scala and Java share similar structures, but Scala has systems that Java lacks. For example, Scala supports automatic type inference and case classes. Besides this, Scala owns a structured nature that can be converted into a domain-specific language (DSL); thus, you can customize Scala to suit your projects’ specific requirements.
-Java developers use the conventional thread-based concurrency model, which splits several programs into concurrently running tasks during execution. In contrast, Scala uses the actor model to define each object as an actor with unique behavior and mailbox.
Overly, Scala and Java are two excellent programming languages with distinct strengths and limitations.
Is Scala better than Java?
This question sits on the fence. Will you opt for Scala or Java? Agree or disagree; either way is all right!
Why is Scala better than Java? And why Java better than Scala?
Yes! It’s much interesting when validate what’s lies beyond these two languages. On one side, you will agree but on the other end, disagree. So it upon you which ground you stand based on the hypotheses.
Yes, Scala is better. Consider the following deductions -:
-According to performance, Scala is much faster than Java even though they run on the same platform, JVM. The optimization technique called tail call recursion makes Scala code compile faster than Java code.
Developers building programs launch new tools and frameworks due to the high Scala scaling upend rate gaining popularity. The programmers have varied options to use several Java development libraries and frameworks through Scala as it brags JVM language.
-Scala ideally boasts of a different philosophy with regards to Java. The better functional programming stuff constructs, far less code can inherit parallelism even though both languages translate to byte code running on JVM.
Scala may be much better if it could do away with compilation, which creates many anonymous classes, making it slow. The use of implicit further makes it slower since the compiler has to scan matching parameters and values. Scala generates a lot more objects during the runtime garbage collection.
Solutions to these issues above place Scala beyond reach.
Learning Scala
It is high time you learn Scala. Do you need a guide suitable for learning Scala? Let’s flow together to get to know Scala.
There are various ways of understanding the Scala programming language. It entails varied sources ranging from books, tutorials, etc.
Got a book you ought to use and learn Scala language,’ Learning Scala” by O’Reilly Media, Inc.
This book allows you to get unlimited access to online training experiences, books, videos, and digital content from over 200 publishers.
Learning Scala is an eye-opener acting as an introduction and a guide to getting starting functional programming development. It makes sense to programmers already familiar with object-oriented development since it introduces you to the core Scala syntax and its OO models with examples and solutions that build familiarity, experience, and confidence with the language.
It also includes more challenging Scala development topics like immutable data, anonymous functions, strong typing, and flexible syntax.
Learning Scala will open you’re a broader scope of career opportunities like; Application developer, Big Data Engineer, Data Scientist, IT consultant, Software Developer, Software Engineer, and Spark Engineer.
Scala vs. Java
Which is which between these two languages? There is an awe-inspiring selection of programming languages to choose from. This can be a hard choice to make for a particular language; thus, it is imperative to study the differences between the languages available.
Below is a detailed study of how Scala differs from Java, thus forming the basis for learning the language you select
- Java is an object-oriented, general-purpose programming language, and Scala is a mixture of functional programming languages that is statistically typed and object-oriented languages.
- Functions in Java are Java objects, while functions are Variables in Scala.
- Java requires several code lines for running routine tasks, while Scala reduces it to brief. The code is written in Scala, half the number of lines as Java.
- Java supports backward compatibility while Scala doesn’t,
- Java is easier to learn than Scala, the latter has a steeper learning curve, and its syntax is more complex.
- Scala support operator overloading while in Java, there is no such option,
- Scala has a “lazy evaluation “feature that allows the programmer to defer time-consuming computations until they’re needed; using the keyboard “lazy” Java has no such option.
- Scala is less readable due to nested code stuff, while Java is more readable.
- The process entailed in compiling source code into byte code is slow, while the process involved in the compilation of source code into byte code is faster in Java language.
- Java variables are by default mutable type while Scala variables are by default immutable type.
- Scala treats everything as an instance of a class and thus more object-oriented language, while Java is less object-oriented due to the presence of primitives and statics.
- Java contains a static keyword, while Scala doesn’t include a static keyword.
- Scala’s operations are conducted using method calls while operators in Java language are treated differently and are not done with the method call.
- Java and Scala are interoperable with each other in theory so that the programmers can call java functions directly inside Scala code. This, by chance, is difficult as each programming language has different features. The languages have disparities in implements, interfaces, collections, and annotations.
Each programming language has its strengths and weaknesses; thus, it’s paramount to consider every detail about the languages.
Scala Tutorial
Eager to learn Scala? Then follow the simple, well-designed tutorial below:-
What is Scala?
Scala is a statistically typed programming language that incorporates both functional and object-oriented programming to increase applications’ scalability. Scala primarily runs on the JVM platform, and it can also be used to write software native platforms.
The language is intended to solve the problems of Java while being more concise and more apparent.
This tutorial enlights us and widens our scope on learning the Scala language.
In this tutorial for beginners, you will learn:
- What is Scala?
- Why learn Scala
- How to install Scala
- Scala Hello World program
- What you can do with Scala
- Anonymous Functions
- Lazy Evaluation
- Type Inference
- Higher –Order-Function
- Currying
- Pattern Matching
- Immutability
- Classes and Objects
- Implicit Classes
- Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) vs. Functional Programming (Fp)
- Important frameworks on Scala
- Concurrency support
- Java vs. Scala
Why learn Scala?
Scala is easy to learn since it becoming the recent popular languages
Scala offers first-class functions for its users
It can be executed on the JVM, thus allowing for interoperability with other languages.
Designed for concurrent, distributed, and resilient message-driven applications, thus one of the most demanding languages.
It is concise, powerful language and can quickly grow to depend on the users’ demand.
Scala offers many Duck Types.
It has less boilerplate if you are coming from Java
The frameworks Lift and Play written in Scala are in the growth curve
How to install Scala
To begin writing Scala programs, you need to have it installed on your computer, thus visiting the Scala website https://www.scala-lang.org/download/ to download the latest Scala version.
Follow the subsequent steps to get to the terminus.
Scala Hello World Program
From the first step to the ultimate stage, you will have a Scala file that has a Singleton object that you will use to run the code.
After achieving this, you will write your first program by extending the object you have created using the App keyword.
By following all the steps clearly, you will have successfully installed Scala and run your first program.
What you can do with Scala
Front end web development with Scala
Mobile development, both Android development and IOS –with Scala Native
Server-side libraries like HTTP4S, Akka-HTTP, and Play Framework
Internet of things using Scala
Game development
Generally, the tutorial is the best guide to follow to be a Scala champ!
Follow the guide, become a Guru!
Summary
Scala is genuinely worth it and deserves to be a programming language of choice for every data scientist. The world is on the verge of becoming data-oriented evident from large amounts of data.
Numerous companies are producing a lot of information which are being transformed into data.
This calls for you to develop personal interests in data science whereby you will be able to maneuver and learn Programming languages, a significant building block in Data science.
Programming languages have not been narrowed to only Java and Scala but find the recommended languages recognized in big institutions.
Scala is an exceptional programming language because it is the first developing language as the world is heading to achieving a system-driven world.
Scala is undisputedly one of the best languages. Want to learn a programming language, then find it suitable to engage yourself in learning the Scala language.
Scala is sweet and exciting, encompasses the difficulties encountered in other languages.
LEARN PROGRAMMING, LEARN SCALA!!

Luis Gillman
Hi, I Am Luis Gillman CA (SA), ACMA
I am a Chartered Accountant (SA) and CIMA (SA) and author of Due Diligence: A strategic and Financial Approach.
The book was published by Lexis Nexis on 2001. In 2010, I wrote the second edition. Much of this website is derived from these two books.
In addition I have published an article entitled the Link Between Due Diligence and Valautions.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information published on this website is accurate, the author and owners of this website take no responsibility for any loss or damage suffered as a result of relience upon the information contained therein. Furthermore the bulk of the information is derived from information in 2018 and use therefore is at your on risk. In addition you should consult professional advice if required.