Difference Between Java and JavaScript

The main difference between Java and JavaScript is that the Java is a general-purpose programming language while the JavaScript is a client-side scripting language.

Java is a programming language that helps to develop software for multiple platforms. Java programs are compiled into bytecode, and it runs on most operating systems including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. The syntax of Java is similar to programming languages such as C#, C++, etc. On the other hand, JavaScript is a scripting language used on the web. It is used to enhance HTML pages with more interaction and dynamic features. It allows the web page to have special effects, react to events, validate data, create cookies, etc.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Java
     – Definition, Functionality, Features
2. What is JavaScript
     – Definition, Functionality, Features
3. What is the Difference Between Java and JavaScript
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Java, JavaScript

What is Java

Java is a high-level programming language that was originally developed by Sun Microsystems. There are various versions of Java. Java SE stands for the standard edition. Java EE is used for enterprise application development, and Java ME is used for mobile applications.

Java is one of the most popular programming languages due to many reasons. Mainly, it supports object-oriented programming. It also allows modelling the real world scenarios in computing. Secondly, it is platform independent. Programming languages such as C and C++ are compiled into a native machine code. Therefore, they are platform dependent. Java is different. Java code is compiled into an intermediate code called bytecode. This bytecode can be executed in any platform that contains a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Thirdly, it provides secure features to develop virus-free, tamper-free systems.

Moreover, Java is robust. It prevents error-prone situations by highlighting mainly on compile-time error checking and runtime checking. In addition, Java provides multithreading features. Therefore, the programmer can write programs that can perform multiple tasks at the same time. Furthermore, it can be used to develop high performance, distributed systems.

What is JavaScript

JavaScript is a lightweight programming language that is used to build dynamic web pages. It is one of the main languages used in web programming other than HTML and CSS. HTML is used to build the structure of the web page. CSS is used to make the web pages presentable with colors, images, styles, etc. JavaScript is used to make the web page dynamic and to add interactivity.

JavaScript is executed on the client side. The main advantage of JavaScript is that it helps to make the web pages more interactive. It can be used for form validation, applying animations and creating events. It provides features to create rich interfaces. Developing JavaScript programs is easier as it does not require expensive development tools. A programmer can write a JavaScript code using a simple text editor and execute them using a web browser. Browsers such as Opera, Chrome, and Safari have JavaScript engines. 

On the other hand, JavaScript is a scripting language. Therefore, it is not very fast. It does not provide multi-threading features and file handling operations. Furthermore, it cannot be used to access a database directly.

Difference Between Java and JavaScript

Definition

Java is a general-purpose computer programming language that is concurrent, class-based, object-oriented,  and specifically designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible. JavaScript is a high level, interpreted programming language that can be characterized as dynamic, weakly typed, prototype-based and multi-paradigm. Therefore, the main difference between Java and JavaScript is obvious from this definition.

Developed By

Furthermore, the Java was developed by James Gosling in 1995 at Sun Microsystems. JavaScript was developed by Brendan Eich in 1995 at Netscape.

Execution

Another difference between Java and JavaScript is that the Java requires the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to execute the code whereas the JavaScript requires a web browser to execute.  

Data Type

Moreover, there are strongly defined data types in Java. However, in JavaScript, there are no defined data types; it uses the ‘var’ keyword for variables. Hence, this is yet another difference between Java and JavaScript.

Objects

Besides, the objects of Java are class-based while the objects of JavaScript are prototype-based.

Multithreading

There is also a difference between Java and JavaScript in the multithreading functionality. The Java provides multithreading capabilities while the JavaScript does not support multithreading.

We can identify more differences between Java and JavaScript in compilation, file extension, dependency, etc.

Compilation

Moreover, Java source code is compiled into an intermediate code called bytecode whereas JavaScript codes are in text and do not need to be compiled.

File Extension

In addition, Java programs has the file extension .java while JavaScript has the file extension .js.

Dependency

While Java code can stand on its own, JavaScript code is placed inside HTML.

Functionalities

Another noteworthy difference between Java and JavaScript is that the Java has more functions and APIs. Whereas, the JavaScript has a limited number of functions. Therefore, it is lightweight.

Security

Security feature is also an important difference between Java and JavaScript. That is, Java is more powerful and secure than JavaScript.

Usage

Java is used to develop desktop, web and mobile applications. In contrast, JavaScript is used to develop web applications.

Conclusion

The difference between Java and JavaScript is that Java is a general-purpose programming language while JavaScript is a client-side scripting language.

Reference:

1. “Java Overview.” Www.tutorialspoint.com, Tutorials Point, Available here.
2. “JavaScript Overview.” Www.tutorialspoint.com, Tutorials Point, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Java” By Linux Screenshots (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Javascript badge” By Nikotaf – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia