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The basic difference between Java and JavaScript is that Java is a programming language, whereas JavaScript is a scripting language. To understand “What is the difference between Java and JavaScript?” one should be familiar with the terms programming language and scripting language.
Which is Better – Java or JavaScript?
New programmers and non-tech people are generally confused about Java and JavaScript. And commonly use the word “Java” for both. It’s not something like which is better – Java or JavaScript? Each is useful in its own regard and each has strengths over the other. One isn’t necessarily better than the other; programmers use both Java and JavaScript for a variety of tasks.
What is Java?
Java is a programming language like any other programming language such as C/C++. It was invented by James Gosling and developed by Sun Microsystems. It was first released in 1995, and several new versions have been launched since then. Most of today’s Internet applications are programmed in Java. Java is currently owned by Oracle.
Java is a multi-platform, object-oriented, and network-centric, programming language. It is among the most used programming language. It is also used as a computing platform.
Features of Java
Some of the important features of Java are:
- Write code once and run it on almost any computing platform.
- It is designed for building object-oriented applications.
- It is a multi-threaded language with automatic memory management.
- It facilitates distributed computing as it is network-centric.
Applications of Java
Java is used to develop
- Android Apps
- Enterprise Software
- Scientific Computing Applications
- Big Data Analytics
- Programming hardware devices
- Server-side technologies like Apache, JBoss, GlassFish, etc.
Sample Code in Java
class A {
public static void main(String args[]) {
System.out.println("Hello World!");
}
}What is JavaScript?
Around 1990, during the infant stage of the Internet, a developer named Brenden Eich at Netscape Inc. created a programming language that could instruct the computer on how to interact with the user upon receiving user input. They called this language “LiveScript” and integrated it directly into Netscape Navigator. The advantage of it was that the browser was literally interpreting the commands of the user. The code didn’t have to be compiled, and a plug-in was not required. At that time programming language, Java was gaining popularity. Netscape, therefore, renamed their language “JavaScript”.
JavaScript is a lightweight programming language basically a scripting language and is used to make web pages interactive. It can insert dynamic text into HTML. That’s the reason why JavaScript is also called a browser’s language. JavaScript is not similar or related to Java. It has C-like syntax and is widely used in client-side scripting.
Features of JavaScript
Some of the important features of JavaScript are:
- It’s a cross-platform language.
- It’s widely used for client-side and server-side scripting.
- It has a strong testing workflow.
- It’s easy to learn and to start coding with.
- It has added dependencies.
Applications of JavaScript
Some of the applications of JavaScript are
- Dynamic Single-Page Applications (SPAs)
- Front-End technologies like jQuery, AngularJS, Ember.js, ReactJS
- Server-side technologies like Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB
- Mobile App development using PhoneGap, React Native, etc.
Sample Code in JavaScript
<html>
<head>
<title>My First JavaScript Code!</title>
<script>
alert("Hello World!");
</script>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>Difference Between Java and JavaScript
Now, let’s look at the difference between Java and JavaScript. Both Java and JavaScript are written, assembled, and executed differently, and each has distinct differences in its capabilities.
Java is used in a wide range of places, including Android apps, credit card programming, and in the creation of desktop applications and web enterprise applications. Whereas, JavaScript is mainly used to make web pages more interactive. It can be used as an alternative to Flash, though most programmers prefer JavaScript because of its functionality. JavaScript is used for creating animations in HTML.
In brief, we can say that Java is typically used for all server-side development, while JavaScript is used for developing client-side scripts for functions like validity and interactivity.
Some of the key differences are:
| Java | JavaScript |
| 1. Java is a strongly typed language and variables must be declared first to use in a program. In Java, the type of a variable is checked at compile-time. | 1. JavaScript is a weakly typed language and has a more relaxed syntax and rules. |
| 2. Java is an object-oriented programming language. | 2. JavaScript is an object-based scripting language. |
| 3. Java applications can run in any virtual machine(JVM) or browser. | 3. JavaScript code used to run only in the browser, but now it can run on a server via Node.js. |
| 4. Objects of Java are class-based even we can’t make any program in java without creating a class | 4. JavaScript Objects are prototype-based. |
| 5. Java program has the file extension “.Java” and translates source code into bytecodes which are executed by JVM(Java Virtual Machine). | 5. JavaScript file has the file extension “.js” and it is interpreted but not compiled, every browser has the Javascript interpreter to execute JS code. |
| 6. Java is a Standalone language. | 6. JavaScript code is contained within a web page and integrates with its HTML content. |
| 7. Java program uses more memory. | 7. JavaScript requires less memory therefore it is used in web pages. |
| 8. Java has a thread-based approach to concurrency. | 8. Javascript has an event-based approach to concurrency. |
| 9. Java supports multithreading. | 9. Javascript doesn’t support multi-threading. |
