When it comes to desktop apps creation, it is important to choose the right programming language. Otherwise, after having worked for some hours, the developer could notice that the chosen language does not allow working efficiently in order to achieve his objectives.
Top Programming Languages for Desktop Apps In 2020
There are many language options out there you can consider for desktop apps. For example, the developers of ScienceSoft leverage C++, .NET, and JAVA to build desktop applications. In this article, we discuss these languages' main features and some pros and cons for each of them.
C++
C++ is a low-level programming language that adds object-oriented features. It is also known as "C with Classes". It made its first public appearance in 1985, although it was designed in 1979 by Bjarne Stroustrup. C++ is usually used for applications that work directly with hardware and in the gaming industry.
C++ requires relatively low desktop specs to function. It only takes 24 MB ROM memory and 4 GB RAM. To get maximum productivity, it is a good idea using a multi-core system. Linux also supports the direct installation and function of C++.
Pros
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Used by companies like Adobe Systems, Amazon, Facebook, and many others.
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It is lightweight.
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Supports multiple inheritances.
Cons
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It is challenging to learn.
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You need to manage memory manually.
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It is not highly promoted like C# (Microsoft) and Java (Oracle), which means there are no releases from these big companies to make developers' life more comfortable.
C#(.NET)
C# made its way into the programming world in 2002, and it is an object-oriented programming language. Developed by Microsoft, by using their .NET framework, it is used as a framework for many other languages as well, so today, it is used as a general-purpose programming language.
C# requires improved hardware and system features. We would say 20-25 GB of free disk space for a typical install, but 200 GB or more ROM to function smoothly. Also, a minimum of 2.5 GB RAM is necessary for function, but 8 GB RAM improves the speed and accuracy. You should install the .NET framework before starting your desktop app with C#. There are multiple tools for developing desktop apps like Visual Studio, ByteScout, and ReSharper.
Pros
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Just like Java, C# is a compiled language. It means that the program execution is fast and multi-threaded.
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C# is easily integrated into windows, which means it doesn't require any special software or frameworks to run.
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It comes in handy when a team of developers is working on one project. The code is simple enough to integrate and understand.
Cons
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The most considerable disadvantage of C# by far is that Microsoft has terminated support for some of the older versions of .NET frameworks, which might create a problem for developers in the long run.
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C# requires the windows platform as a host to work. It is not the right choice for programmers working in a Linux environment.
Java
Java is one of the most famous and most learned languages around the globe. It's celebrating 24 years of successful life-cycle this year. Still today, many developers consider it the best language for developing desktop applications. According to the TIOBE Index, it is the second most used language after C, and it has been in the top 2 since the beginning of the Index.
Java lies in the middle from a technical and functional point of view. You will need 8 GB of RAM to process its applications effectively. 8 GB RAM is recommended for running, but it can run on relatively lesser specs. It requires at least 50 GB ROM to operate successfully. Furthermore, JDK (Java Development Kit) or JRE (Java Runtime Environment) are a must prerequisite of numerous tools used for development. For example, Netbeans is a great tool if you are starting as a Java developer.
Pros
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Java is a stable language due to the frequent updates and features added to it.
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Java is a multi-thread compiled language. It makes the execution and debugging of large-scale applications convenient and more accurate.
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Java is an open-source programming language, which means you get tons of libraries and codes that makes it easier to grasp.
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Reusability is a vital advantage of JAVA. It is an object-oriented programming language so that developers can use functions and methods repeatedly.
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Java is platform-independent from where it was developed. Its programs can be easily accessed on any OS or processor since the java virtual machine can identify platforms and convert the codes accordingly.
Cons
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Not a language to use for developing eye-catching GUI's. Even though there are some frameworks for user interface development, they aren't mature enough to handle complex UI's.
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Java code is hard to understand because it is verbose. It may hamper the debugging and testing phases.
Python
Python is a relatively new programming language since it was released in 1989. Still, it has got the attention of programmers and organizations after 2000, when new features and large-scale computations were added. A python is an object-oriented programming language.
The specifications required by Python are feasible: It needs 1 GB RAM to run accurately; in general, it requires 5 GB ROM; and runs on 64-bit operating systems.
Pros
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The most noticeable advantage of Python, without a doubt, is the ease of use. New users can learn Python faster than any other language.
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It is an open-source language with hundreds of built-in libraries; new features are being added to the language continuously, reducing the programmer's efforts.
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It is paving the way to IoT(Internet of things), machine learning, and data science projects.
Cons
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Unlike other compiled languages, Python is an interpreted language, which may reduce speed. For example, it is slower than C or C++.
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Python interprets one thread (instruction) simultaneously, and single-threaded programs can cause a decline inefficiency. It needs a lot of memory to perform complicated tasks.
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Not an excellent option to work with the problematic database.
An excellent tip for choosing the best programming language for your upcoming projects is keeping the scope and complexity (but also making sure you don't have to move to another one during your project in case of lesser functionality), security, and cost factors under consideration.