Difference Between Java and JavaScript

Java and JavaScript are the programming languages primarily used for the different purposes. Although they sound similar but there are not many similarities between them, in fact, they are different. Java is essentially be used as a general-purpose programming language while JavaScript is used as client-side scripting language. Java is both compiled and interpreted language while the browser interprets JavaScript.

The JavaScript uses prototype objects, and these objects help in accessing other objects directly without any instance of a class whereas Java is a language constructed on the principle of class where the properties of the class are inherited through the instance of a class.

Content: Java Vs JavaScript

1. 1. Comparison Chart
   2. Definition
   3. Key Differences
   4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for comparison	Java	JavaScript
Developed by	Sun Microsystems	Netscape
Basic	Statically typed	Dynamically typed
Type of objects	Class-based	Prototype-based
Object encapsulation	Effective	Does not provide
Presence of namespace	Used in Java.	Does not contain namespaces
Multithreading	Java is multithreaded.	No provision for multithreading.
Scope	Block level	Function

Definition of Java

Java is a general-purpose object-oriented programming language designed with the intention of producing a code where the same code could be used anywhere. James Gosling of Sun Microsystems guided the development of Java in late 1990’s. This programming language is class-based, object-oriented and human readable. Java is compiled as well as interpreted. Java compiler transforms the source code into bytecode then java interpreter produces machine code which is straightly executed by the machine in which java program is running. It is reliable, distributed, portable. It could be used for developing stand-alone applications or web-based applications.

Features of java:

• Compiled and interpreted: In the beginning, Java compiler translates the source code into bytecode. Then machine code is produced which can be straightly executed by the machine, and 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 purely object-oriented language where everything revolves around the classes and objects.
• Robust and Secure: Java prevents the threat of virus and misuse of resources. It consists of a garbage collector and employs exception handling to eliminate the errors and risk of crashing.
• Distributed: It also enables the creation of applications on the network and can share both data and program. Java can also be used to access remote objects through the internet and allows several programmers to work in tandem from different remote locations.
• Multithreaded and interactive: It assists multithreaded programs where multiple tasks can be handled concurrently.
• 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 make 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 java runtime environment.

Definition of JavaScript

JavaScript is primarily a client-side scripting language designed for providing behaviour and interactivity to the web applications. It was devised in 1995 at Netscape by Brendan Eich, and it was initially known as “Mocha” then “live script“. After that, the name “live script” is converted into “JavaScript” because of the license agreement between Netscape (Now Mozilla’s) and Sun Microsystems (Now oracle’s). The language was submitted to ECMA (European Computer Manufacturers Association) by Netscape for standardization purpose.

For some trademark cause, the standardized version is named as “ECMA Script“. However, it became popular as “JavaScript” because of the marketing ploy to gain the interest and excitement. Although, there is nothing similar between them. The browser is used to run the JavaScript code, and different versions were interoperable with the browser implementations.

Not only browsers are used as platforms some databases like Mongo DB, Couch DB, employ JavaScript as the scripting and query language. It involves a small and simple set of commands relative to java which is interpreted by the browser. The webpage events can be rapidly built by the JavaScript. Although, it cannot develop desktop applications the way other languages such as Java or C++ can develop because it was designed to manipulate web pages.

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 client-side scripting language which 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.

Conclusion

Both Java and JavaScript are different languages except the syntactic resemblance and are essentially designed for the distinct purposes. Java is a general-purpose language which can be used in developing desktop or mobile or web-based applications. On the other hand, JavaScript is a client-side scripting language especially used for designing behaviour and interactivity for the web-based application. Java is more complicated, rigid than JavaScript. Although, both languages can create excellent web page events and can provide interaction between user and web page.