Javascript vs Java; what are they and how are they different? That’s what we are going to explore in today’s article. You may be thinking that they are the same thing, but even though the names are similar they are very different languages. Let’s get into it in more detail!
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is a dynamically typed computer programming language. It is commonly used as a part of web pages, whose implementations allow client-side scripts to interact with the user and make dynamic pages. It is an object-oriented programming language with many powerful capabilities.
JavaScript was first known as LiveScript, but Netscape changed its name to JavaScript. The general purpose core of the language has been embedded in Netscape, Internet Explorer, and other web browsers.
Javascript: Must-Know Facts
- JavaScript is a lightweight, interpreted programming language.
- Designed for creating network-centric applications.
- Complementary to and integrated with Java.
- Complementary to and integrated with HTML.
- Open and cross-platform
- Less server interaction
- Immediate feedback to the visitors
- Increased interactivity
- Richer interfaces
Where is JavaScript Used?
Javascript is used everywhere you can possibly imagine. It is regarded as the backbone of the modern internet because without it, the Internet we know and love would be a much different place. Additionally, Javascript powers the interactivity found in most websites. A website without any Javascript would be very boring. When you click a button or a link, or when you see a pop-up on the screen, you are witnessing Javascript in action.
Pros of JavaScript:
• Simplicity and ease of use
• Speed and performance
• Popularity and widespread adoption
• Versatility
• Less overhead
Cons of JavaScript:
• Less client-side security
• Limited older browser support
• Lack of debugging facilities
You can make some really awesome things with Javascript. If you use a library like Jquery, you can quickly create interactive effects without much code.
Further reading on Javascript
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/About_JavaScript
Java: The Statically Typed OOP Language
Java is a case-sensitive statically typed programming language. Much like C++ and C#, Java is an object-oriented programming (OOP) language, which means all programs are made of entities representing concepts or physical things known as “objects”. Java programs are found in desktops, servers, mobile devices, and many things that power our world.
Sun Microsystems created the Java language in 1995, and today it is owned by Oracle. As of 2022, over 3 billion devices run Java.
Where is Java Used?
Java is hugely popular due to its platform independence. Furthermore, Java only needs a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) to be installed to work, regardless of whether it is installed on a desktop PC running Windows, Linux, or Unix, a Macintosh computer, or even a smartphone. Here are some common places you’ll see Java:
- Android Applications
- Desktop GUI Applications
- Web-Based Applications
- Financial and Retail Services
- Database Applications
- Games and Entertainment
Common Applications of Java:
• Java produces applets (browser-run programs), which facilitate graphical user interface (GUI) and object interaction by internet users.
• Java applets run in a web browser with Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which translates Java bytecode into native processor instructions and allows indirect OS or platform program execution.
• Java program development requires a Java software development kit (SDK), which typically includes a compiler, interpreter, documentation generator, and other tools used to produce a complete application.
• Development time may be accelerated through the use of integrated development environments (IDE) – such as JBuilder, Netbeans, Eclipse, or JCreator. IDEs are the development of GUIs, which include buttons, text boxes, panels, frames, scrollbars, and other objects via drag-and-drop and point-and-click actions.
Pros of Java:
- Java is simple and relatively easy to use
- Object-oriented and shares concepts with other languages
- Platform independent
- Good for distributed computing
- Secure and robust
- Multithreaded
Cons of Java:
- Heavy, complicated syntax
- Slower than similar languages like C++ and C#
- Garbage collection is only for memory
- Poor support for generic code
- Has to run in JVM, which is bad for performance
Further reading on Java
https://www.java.com/en/download/help/whatis_java.html
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Java vs JavaScript?
Java is an object-oriented programming language created to require almost no dependencies, making it a great general-purpose programming language that runs on as many platforms as possible. JavaScript is a programming language designed to be used in websites and web applications rather than in standalone applications or other software. The significant differences between Java and JavaScript make it difficult to compare speed, performance, and other critical factors between the languages.
How are JavaScript and Java Typed?
Java is strongly typed, meaning variables need to have a defined data type. JavaScript is the opposite, being a very weakly typed language that does not pay as much attention to variable types.
Are JavaScript and Java the same?
No, Java vs JavaScript are completely different languages. JavaScript is a lightweight scripting language, while Java is an object-oriented programming language.
Is JavaScript easier than Java?
Neither one is competing for the title of hardest coding language. Because Java and JavaScript are so different, it’s not really possible to say which is easier. Instead, both excel at different things. However, if you’re familiar with object-oriented programming languages, you’ll probably find Java fairly easy. On the other hand, if your background is in scripting languages then you’ll find Javascript easier.
Do I learn JavaScript or Java first?
Because Java and JavaScript are very different languages, you don’t need to learn one before you learn the other. Knowing the syntax of Java will help you understand JavaScript a bit better, and the same is true of knowing JavaScript syntax before you approach Java. If you want to build interactive websites and web-based applications, Javascript is more widely used and so would be better to learn first.
Is JavaScript a version of Java?
Despite the fact that both languages have the word “Java” in them, they have nothing to do with one another. JavaScript shares some superficial similarities with Java in terms of its syntax and standard libraries, but that’s the only thing connecting them.
Which is better: JavaScript or Java?
JavaScript, which is supported by all modern browsers, is the best language to learn for web development. Java, on other hand, is no longer supported by any web browser; it needs to be run within JVM.
JavaScript is the main powerhouse behind the rapidly evolving internet. Furthermore, you see it on almost every website and anywhere there is interactivity. Overall, when comparing Javascript vs Java it is important to know that they are better for different things and there is no winner.
