Object-Oriented Programming in Python vs Java

Java programmers making a move to Python often struggle with Python’s approach to object-oriented programming (OOP). The approach to working with objects, variable types, and other language capabilities taken by Python vs Java are quite different. It can make switching between both languages very confusing.

This article compares and contrasts object-oriented programming support in Python vs Java. By the end, you’ll be able to apply your knowledge of object-oriented programming to Python, understand how to reinterpret your understanding of Java objects to Python, and use objects in a Pythonic way.

Over the course of this article, you’ll:

• Build a basic class in both Java and Python
• Explore how object attributes work in Python vs Java
• Compare and contrast Java methods and Python functions
• Discover inheritance and polymorphism mechanisms in both languages
• Investigate reflection across Python vs Java
• Apply everything in a complete class implementation in both languages

This article isn’t a primer on object-oriented programming. Rather, it compares object-oriented features and principles of Python vs Java. Readers should have good knowledge of Java, and also be familiar with coding Python. If you are unfamiliar with object-oriented programming, then check out Intro to Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in Python. All Python examples will work with Python 3.6 or later.