Difference Between Java and JavaScript

Many people mistakenly believe that Java and JavaScript are the same language or that they are different names for the same language, however the only thing they have in common is the term “Java”. Each is a useful computer language in its own sense, and has some advantages over the other. Programmers utilise both Java and JavaScript for a variety of tasks, thus one isn’t necessarily better than the other one.

The differences between the two terms might be confusing for new programmers or non-technical people. The user must be convinced that JavaScript and the Java programming language are not the same thing, and that java-script has nothing to do with the java programming language.

The popularity of the java programming language, which was at its pinnacle at the time, was the primary motivation for naming the scripting language JavaScript. It was launched as JavaScript to benefit from the popularity of the name “java” in the java computer language.

To understand the difference between Java and JavaScript language,let’s get familiarized with the basics of these two languages in brief, and then compare them.

What is Java?

Java is a general-purpose computer programming language that is multi-platform, object-oriented, and network-centric. It’s one of the most commonly used programming languages. The language was developed by Sun Microsystems and invented by James Gosling. It took around four years to develop the language. A group of Sun Microsystem engineers known as the “Green Team” worked tirelessly to build Java in 1991.

It was initially released in 1995, and since then, numerous latest versions of this language have been released. Today’s Online world is immersed in Java-based programming, and we owe Java a debt of gratitude for many of the apps that make our lives simpler. Oracle owns Java at the present time.

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a scripting language that helps you in developing dynamic web pages. It follows the client-side programming principles, which means it operates in the user’s web browser without requiring any resources from the web server. Other technologies, such as REST APIs, XML,etc. can also be used with JavaScript. Nowadays, JavaScript incorporates technologies such as Node.js.

History of JavaScript

Around 1990, during the early days of the Internet, Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer were the two most popular web browsers in use by the general public. In just ten days, Brendan Eich, a Netscape Inc. engineer, was able to design a programming language that could guide the computer on how to communicate with the user upon receiving user input.

This meant that the browser was actually understanding the user’s commands; the code didn’t need to be compiled, and there was no need for a plug-in. The newly designed language was named “Livescript” and it was immediately incorporated into Navigator.

Around the same time, another programming language Java was gaining popularity, despite the fact that Java required a separate plug-in to function. Netscape took advantage of the situation and renamed their language “JavaScript”. In the early days of the Internet, JavaScript was indispensable.

Features of Java and JavaScript

The following are some of Java’s most important features.

• Create a single piece of code that can be executed on nearly any computing platform.
• It is intended for the development of object-oriented applications.
• It’s a multi-threaded language with automatic memory management.
• As a result of its network-centric design, it facilitates distributed computing.

The following are some of Java-script’s key features:

• It’s a cross-platform language.
• Extensively utilised on both the client and server sides.
• Strong Testing Workflow.
• It’s simple to pick up and start coding with.
• Dependencies have been added.

Primary Differences Between Java and JavaScript

• Both Java and JavaScript are written, integrated, and processed differently, and they have significant variations in what tasks they can accomplish.
• Java is utilised in a variety of applications, such as Android apps, credit card programming, and the development of desktop and online corporate applications. JavaScript, on the other hand, is mostly used to make web pages more interactive.
• Although most programmers would tell you that JavaScript is more popular and has more capability than Flash, it may be utilised as an alternative. JavaScript may be used to create animation in HTML, for example.
• When it comes to how each language is utilised, Java is generally used for all server-side programming, whereas JavaScript is typically used for client-side scripting such as validation and interactivity.

There are a few more significant differences:

• JavaScript is a weakly typed language, whereas Java is a strongly typed language.
• The file extension for Javascript is “.js” whereas, file extension for Java is “.Java”.
• JavaScript is a cross-platform language, whereas Java allows you to create code once and run it on practically any computing platform.
• JavaScript code is all-text and is interpreted by the client, while Java code is compiled on the server before being executed on the client.
• JavaScript is a dynamic language, whereas Java is a static language.
• Different plug-ins are required for each language.
• JavaScript code can only be executed in a browser, but Java creates programmes that can be run on a virtual machine or a browser.

A new programming student will discover that both Java and JavaScript are important languages to have in their coding toolbox. Many programmers and developers believe that studying these two languages back to back, early on, is a smart decision for a newbie programmer. Having a basic knowledge of Java and JavaScript will undoubtedly increase a programmer’s competitiveness and lead to more profitable work possibilities down the line.