New programmers and non-tech people are confused between Java and JavaScript, but their only similarity is the word “Java”. Both are programming languages used in their way, and each has strengths over the other.
One is not certainly better than the other; programmers use both Java and Javascript for different tasks.
Java is used for Android Apps, Enterprise Software, Scientific Computing Applications, Big Data Analytics, Java Programming of Hardware devices, Used for Server-Side Technologies like Apache, JBoss, GlassFish, etc. And JavaScript is used for Dynamic Single-Page Applications (SPAs), Front-End technologies like jQuery, AngularJS, Ember.js, ReactJS are based on JavaScript., Server-Side technologies like Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB are based on Java Script., Mobile App Development using PhoneGap, React Native, etc.
Many people suppose that as JavaScript has “Java” in its name, they are related somehow. While many programmers groan at this coupling, and many even assume that this naming confusion is just a part of a marketing scheme, the history of these two popular programming languages intersected for a very brief moment in time.
Suppose we traveled back in time for about five years. In that case, a simple comparison like Java is a general-purpose coding language, and Javascript is used on web applications to make them interactive and animated. Now that JS has “grown-up,” the comparison is much more complicated here.
Table of Contents
History
Java
Java is a programming language that was innovated by James Gosling and developed by Sun Microsystems. It took a bit more than ten days to build — it took closer to four years. In 1991, a team of Sun Microsystem engineers known as the “Green Team” worked day and night to build Java.
Java was released in 1995 for the first time, and several new versions have been launched since then.
Today’s Internet is saturated with Java-run programming, and we have Java to thank for many of the applications that make day-to-day living more comfortable. Oracle currently owns Java.
JavaScript
In the time period of the Internet, around 1990, Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator were the two most famous web browsers in use by the general public. In just ten days, a developer named Brendan Eich at Netscape, Inc.
was able to create a programming language that would instruct the pc on the way to interact with the user upon receiving user input. They called this language “LiveScript” and integrated it directly into Navigator.
It meant that the browser was interpreting the user’s commands; the code didn’t have to be compiled and did not require a plug-in.
Another programming language, Java, was gaining fame around the same time, even though Java required a separate plug-in to function.
Netscape saw the opportunity and re-named their language “JavaScript.” JavaScript was indispensable in the time of the Internet.
Brief Introduction
Java
Java is a multi-platform, object-oriented, and network-centric and among the most used programming language. It is used as a computing platform as well. Java applications are compiled into byte-code that can run on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
JavaScript
JavaScript is a scripting language. It helps you build interactive web pages. It follows client-side programming principles, so it runs in the user’s web browser without any web server resources.
The coder can also use JavaScript with other technologies like REST APIs, XML, and more. Nowadays, JavaScript also uses technologies like Node js.
Features
Java
- The coder needs to 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.
- Facilitates distributed computing as its network-centric.
JavaScript
- It is a cross-platform language.
- It is widely used for client-side and server-side.
- Strong Testing Workflow.
- It is easy to learn and to start coding with.
- Added dependencies.
Differences
Java | JavaScript |
| Java is a strongly typed language, and variables must be declared first to use in the program. In Java, the type of a variable is checked at compile-time. | JavaScript is a weakly typed language and has more relaxed syntax and rules. |
| Java is an object-oriented programming language. | JavaScript is an object-based scripting language. |
| Java applications run in any virtual machine(JVM) or browser. | JavaScript code used to run only in the browser, but now it can run on the server via Node.js. |
| Objects of Java are class-based; even we can’t make any Java program without creating a class. | JavaScript Objects are prototype-based. |
| Java program has the file extension “.Java” and translates source code into byte-codes executed by JVM(Java Virtual Machine). | JavaScript file has the file extension “.js,” It is interpreted but not compiled; every browser has the JavaScript interpreter to execute JS code. |
| Java is a Standalone language. | JavaScript is contained within a web page and integrates with its HTML content. |
| Java program uses more memory. | JavaScript requires less memory; therefore, in web pages, it is used. |
| Java has a thread-based approach to concurrency. | JavaScript has an event-based approach to concurrency. |
| Java supports multithreading. | JavaScript doesn’t support multithreading. |
Advantages
Java
- Detailed documentation is available.
- A large pool of skilled developers available.
- A massive array of third-party libraries.
- It allows the user to form standard programs and re-usable code.
- It is a multi-threaded environment that enables you to perform many tasks simultaneously in a program.
- Excellent performance.
- Easy to navigate libraries.
JavaScript
- It’s an open-source project with Microsoft’s patronage.
- Specially designed tool for tiny scripts.
- Supports classes, interfaces, & modules.
- Compiled JavaScript runs in any browser.
- It allows cross-compilation.
- The programmer can extend JavaScript for writing large apps.
- You can use JavaScript to save and retrieve information on the user’s computer.
- Immediate feedback to the visitors.
- It allows you to make interfaces that react when the user hovers using the mouse.
Disadvantages
Java
- JIT compiler makes the program comparatively slow.
- Java has high memory and processing requirements. Therefore, hardware cost increases.
- It doesn’t provide support for low-level programming constructs like pointers.
- You don’t have any control over garbage collection as Java does not offer functions like delete(), free().
JavaScript
- Client-side JavaScript does not permit the reading or writing of files. For security reasons, it has been kept.
- For networking applications, it cannot be used because there is not much support available.
- JavaScript does not have any multithreading or multiprocessor features.
Application Types
Java
- Android Apps
- Enterprise Software
- Scientific Computing Applications
- Big Data Analytics
- Java Programming of Hardware devices
- Used for Server-Side Technologies like Apache, JBoss, GlassFish, etc.
JavaScript
- Dynamic Single-Page Applications (SPAs)
- Front-End technologies like jQuery, AngularJS, Ember.js, ReactJS are based on JavaScript.
- Server-Side technologies like Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB are based on Java Script.
- Mobile App Development using PhoneGap, React Native, etc.
Conclusion
This article on Java vs. JavaScript will help the programmer to get a clear, understandable picture of everything about these two specific languages that have entirely revolutionized the app development industry. While Java makes your app more secure and robust, on the other hand, JavaScript enhances the look and feel of the application. By now, the programmer would surely know which language should you choose for your next app development, Java or JavaScript.