C++ Vs Python. – Background of The Study
In the world of finance, firms frequently flaunt their environmental commitments. However, these same institutions may overlook a substantial source of emissions within their own walls – their engineering teams. Indeed, the choice of programming language can have a profound impact on energy usage, with Python identified as a significant energy guzzler.
According to a 2017 paper published alongside the ACM SIGPLAN Engineering Language Conference, Python consumes an astounding 45 times more energy than C++. Despite its popularity, especially within financial institutions, the Python vs C++ energy efficiency debate points to a significant environmental downside to Python’s use.
Energy Efficiency Rankings: Programming Languages
The study provided some surprising insights into the energy efficiency of today’s most prevalent programming languages. Besides Python, Perl, Ruby, and Lua also made the list of the least energy-efficient languages.
On the other side of the spectrum, C++ ranked as one of the most efficient languages, along with C, Rust, Ada, and Java, despite each varying considerably in its complexity and ease of use.
Python: The Price of Simplicity
Python is an interpreted language, translating to machine instructions via a separate program rather than directly, as with compiled languages such as C++ or Rust. This interpretation makes Python easier to learn and use, yet it demands a heavy energy toll.
So, in the Python vs C++ energy efficiency debate, Python’s ease of use comes at a significant environmental cost.
The Role of Python in Finance
In the finance world, Python is well-loved. Investment firm Man Group refers to it as the “second language” of the firm. On eFinancialCareers, of the 5,072 jobs currently available for quants and technologists, 1217 mention Python. Python isn’t the only energy-hungry language in demand, with Goldman Sachs’ documented affinity for the interpreted language Slang.
The Catch-22 Situation with C++
While C++ is gentle on the environment, it can be less forgiving to its developers. C++ is notoriously difficult to work with, contributing to the high value placed on skilled C++ engineers in areas like hedge funds and high-frequency trading firms.
In contrast, Rust provides similar energy efficiency but is known to be more enjoyable to work with. However, it lacks a strong presence in finance, barring some roles in the cryptocurrency space.
Java: An Unusual Exception
Java presents an unusual phenomenon – it is the only language in the top five for energy consumption not to be a pure-compiled language. Java leverages the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to balance low latency code execution with user-friendly development, making it a popular choice in many domains.
Is Python a Danger to the Environment?
The Python vs C++ energy efficiency comparison reveals an important dimension to consider when choosing a programming language. The simplicity of Python has made it a darling of the financial sector, but its environmental footprint is cause for concern.
Should this trigger a re-evaluation of the languages we use, or will the finance industry overlook the environmental implications in favour of productivity and ease of use?
Your opinion matters to us! Leave a comment below with your thoughts on this critical issue. After all, the coding language you love may cost more than just development time – it might be costing the Earth.
