Java and JavaScript are both greatly successful Computer Programming languages that are used immensely in today’s modern and tech-savvy world. Even though they are similar, there are specific technical differences between them.
Key Takeaways
- Java is a versatile, object-oriented programming language used for various applications, such as web, mobile, and desktop development, and relies on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for platform-independent execution.
- JavaScript is a lightweight, primarily client-side scripting language used for web development, enabling dynamic content and interactivity in web browsers, and has become increasingly popular for server-side development with the introduction of Node.js.
- While their names may be similar, Java and JavaScript are distinct programming languages, with Java focusing on versatility and platform independence and JavaScript mainly targeting web development and browser interactivity.
Java vs JavaScript
Java is an object-oriented programming language. It has a virtual machine platform allowing the creation of compiled programs that are eligible to be run majorly on every possible platform.
On the other hand, JavaScript is a lightweight programming language that is primarily used to make webpages more interactive. It is commonly also known as the browser’s language.
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Both of them, even after being programming languages, do not have many similarities. It is a C-like syntax which is put to use in both languages.
Apart from that, both are widely used in Web Applications on the client side.
However, only these are the kind of similarities they possess; thus, it can be inferred that they only have a few similarities and more differences.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | Java | JavaScript |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Java is a general-purpose programming language, majorly class-based and object-oriented. | JavaScript is a programming language that conforms to the ECMA Script specification. It is a high-level, often just-in-time compiled and multiparadigm. |
| Type | Java is an object-oriented programming language. | JavaScript is also object-based but is a scripting language. |
| Platform | Java applications are the ones that can possibly be run on any Virtual Machine or browser. | JavaScript code is developed for browsers only and hence runs on the browser only. |
| Basis | Java objects are class-based; no object can be created without forming a class. | The objects of JavaScript are prototype-based. |
| Memory | Java program takes up more memory than JavaScript. | JavaScript requires comparatively less memory than Java, and hence it is used in webpages. |
What is Java?
It is a general-purpose, high-level programming language that is class-based and designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible. The former name of Java was Oak.
Java is a language for programming that is majorly object-oriented, and its applications can be efficiently run on any Virtual Machine or browser.
Since the objects are class-based, they cannot be created without forming classes. This is also why it takes up a large amount of memory compared to other programming languages.
It is great software in the sense that it allows the application developers to write once and run anywhere. The Java syntax is similar to C and C++. However, the difference is that the lower-level facilities in Java are fewer than both.
James Gosling did the original development of Java at Sun Microsystems, and it was in 1995 that it was released as a core component of the Java platform of Sun Microsystems.
Java is known to be stricter than C++, and this means that the variables and functions need to be explicitly defined. This also signifies that the Java Source Code can produce errors or ‘exceptions’ pretty much more quickly than other programming languages.
An operating system like Windows executables or Macintosh applications cannot directly run Java programs. They are interpreted by a Java Virtual Machine, which can run on multiple platforms.
However, the JVM must be installed to make sure that Java programs can be run.
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is also a programming language but it conforms to the ECMA Script Specification and is a high-level language. It is often considered to comply just in time and is also seen as a multiparadigm.
Even though JavaScript is also object-based, but is a scripting language. This language is majorly used in Web Development, and since the code is specifically developed for the browser, it can only be run in the browser.
Unlike Java, JavaScript objects are prototype-based and thus require less memory as compared to Java.
JavaScript owed its original development to Netscape and was developed to load websites and add dynamic and interactive elements to them.
The Source Code of JavaScript is processed by the Client’s web browser rather than on the Web Server, which means that it is a scripting language on the client’s side. This also implies that the functions of JavaScript will be able to run after the webpage is loaded, even without communicating or connecting with the server.
There are several other scripting languages, such as PHP or ASP. Similar to them, the code of JavaScript can be inserted anywhere within the HTML of any Webpage.
The difference which exists is that JavaScript code is visible entirely in the source of the webpage, whereas, concerning other languages, only the output is displayed in HTML.
Main Differences Between Java and JavaScript
Java and JavaScript are both technical programming languages. However, significant differences exist between these languages, except for a few similarities.
- Java is a programming language that is majorly class-based and object-oriented. Conversely, JavaScript is a programming language that follows the ECMA Script and is high-level.
- Java is an object-oriented programming language. JavaScript is also an object-based language but is a scripting language.
- Java applications can be efficiently run on any Virtual Machine or browser. JavaScript, on the contrary, is explicitly created for browsers and hence can be run on browsers only.
- Java objects are class-based, implying that they cannot be created without forming classes. JavaScript objects, on the other hand, are prototype-based.
- Since Java objects are class-based, they end up taking and making use of more memory as compared to other languages. And JavaScript objects, being prototype-based, use up less memory as compared to other languages and hence are used in the formation of webpages.
- https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/2936313.2816715
- https://aip.scitation.org/doi/pdf/10.1063/1.168647
- https://www.computer.org/csdl/mags/co/2012/02/mco2012020007.pdf
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
