4 Notable Differences Between Java and JavaScript

Filed in Articles by on May 21, 2021

Difference Between Java and JavaScript: From a programmer’s perspective, Java and JavaScript have their unique use and features. This article isn’t necessarily pointing out which is better but highlighting the differences and features of each.  

Every programming language unique in its own right and each has strengths over the other. The major difference between Java and JavaScript is that Java is a general-purpose programming language while JavaScript is a client-side scripting language.

New programmers and non-tech people alike have long confused Java and JavaScript, but their only commonality is the word “Java.” Each is a programming language used 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 different tasks.

Java

Java is a programming language invented by James Gosling and developed by Sun Microsystems. It took a bit longer than 10 days to develop — it took closer to four years. In 1991, a group of Sun Microsystem engineers called the “Green Team” worked day and night to create Java.

It was first released in 1995, and several new versions have been launched since then. Today’s Internet is absolutely saturated with Java-run programming, and we have Java to thank for many of the applications that make day-to-day living easier. Java is currently owned by Oracle.

Features of Java:

Compiled and interpreted: In the beginning, the Java compiler translates the source code into bytecode. Then machine code is produced which can be straightly executed by the machine, and the interpreter is responsible for doing this.

Platform independent and portable: It can be moved from one machine to another, any modification in the operating systems, system resources, and processor could not affect the java programs. The bytecode generated by a java compiler could be employed on any machine.

Object-Oriented: Java is a purely object-oriented language where everything revolves around classes and objects.

Distributed: It also enables the creation of applications on the network and can share both data and programs. Java can also be used to access remote objects through the internet and allows several programmers to work in tandem from different remote locations.

Dynamic and Extensible: The new classes, objects, methods, and libraries are probably dynamically linked in java. It can also support functions written in languages such as C and C++.

Ease of development: Code reusability makes development easier.

Scalability and Performance: The scalability and performance can be improved by enhancing the start-up time and minimizing the consumption of memory in the Java runtime environment.

JavaScript

JavaScript is a lightweight programming language(“scripting language”) and used to make web pages interactive. It can insert dynamic text into HTML. JavaScript is also known as the browser’s language. JavaScript(JS) is not similar or related to Java.

JavaScript is also a programming language that is used to make web pages more dynamic as well as interactive. Constant downloads from the server are not required in the case of JavaScript as it runs on the user’s computer. JavaScript is different from the Java programming language.

Most modern-day web browsers have built-in JavaScript. However, JavaScript-based web pages can run only if JavaScript is enabled on the web browser and the browser supports it. JavaScript is enabled in most browsers by default.

No special program is required in order to write code in JavaScript as it is an interpreted language. You can use any text editor such as Notepad in order to write JavaScript code. You can also use other text editors that colorize the different codes making it easier to detect any error.

Features of JavaScript

Interpreted: The JavaScript code is executed in a browser directly devoiding the compilation of the code.

Client-side scripting language: It is a client-side scripting language that uses a browser to execute the code, and doesn’t involve server interaction. However, the newer versions and frameworks enable server-side scripting also.

Event-based: It is able to run some specific code in the occurrence of some event. An event can be any loading page or submitting a form, etcetera.

Object-oriented: JavaScript applies control over an HTML page by manipulating objects within that page.

Notable Distinctions between Java and JavaScript

1. Java is an object-oriented programming language whereas JavaScript is more of a scripting language.

2. JavaScript is used to make web pages more interactive. However, Java can be used not only to make interactive web pages but can also be used to create server-side applications and standalone programming.

3. Generally, Java uses the concept of classes and objects that makes the reuse of the code easier but there is no such thing in JavaScript.

4. Java exhibits properties like inheritance, data encapsulation, and polymorphism whereas JavaScript does not.

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CSN Team.

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