A programming language is a formal language comprising a set of instructions that produce various kinds of output. Programming languages are used in computer programming to implement algorithms. Most programming languages consist of instructions for computers. There are programmable machines that use a set of specific instructions, rather than general programming languages.
As JavaScript has “Java” in its name, many people assume that Java and JavaScript are somehow related. Regardless of the fact that the two differ from each other but each of these plays a significant role in the IT industry.
Java
Java is a class-based, object-oriented programming language that is designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible. Developed by Sun Microsystems, It is a standalone language that is executed in JVM( Java Virtual Machine) that allows Java programs to run on any platform.
Java with its secured environment and great compatibility has emerged as one of the best programming languages. The language is favored by enterprises too. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Java for building applications and back end systems.
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 browser’s language. JavaScript(JS) is not similar or related to Java. Both the languages have a C like a syntax and are widely used in client-side and server-side Web applications, but there are few similarities only.
According to Stack Overflow’s 2018 Developer Survey, JavaScript is the most popular language among developers for the sixth year in a row. Unlike Java, JavaScript is simple to learn. That’s why it is used everywhere for web development. JavaScript can easily be used with other languages within different types of web applications.
Difference Between Java and JavaScript
| JAVA | JAVASCRIPT |
|---|---|
| Java is strongly typed language and variable must be declare first to use in program.In Java the type of a variable is checked at compile-time. | JavaScript is weakly typed language and have more relaxed syntax and rules. |
| Java is an object oriented programming language. | JavaScript is an object based scripting language. |
| Java applications can run in any virtual machine(JVM) or browser. | JavaScript code used to run only in browser, but now it can run on server via Node.js. |
| Objects of Java are class based even we can’t make any program in java without creating a class. | JavaScript Objects are prototype based. |
| Java program has file extension “.Java” and translates source code into bytecodes which is executed by JVM(Java Virtual Machine). | JavaScript file has file extension “.js” and it is interpreted but not compiled,every browser has the Javascript interpreter to execute JS code. |
| Java is a Standalone language. | contained within a web page and integrates with its HTML content. |
| Java program uses more memory. | JavaScript requires less memory therefore it is used in web pages. |
| Java has a thread based approach to concurrency. | JavaScript has event based approach to concurrency. |
| Java supports multithreading. | Javascript doesn’t support multi-threading. |
Java Vs Javascript: Major Similarities
Despite their names being similar, Java and javascript are quite distinct and are incomparable. However, when compared from a web development perspective, top-level similarities can be found.
- Both are an object-oriented programming language. So, the fundamental OOP concepts must be known by both the developers.
- Both languages can be used for Front-end development. JavaScript can either be embedded directly in HTML or implemented as a library. Java can be used as a Java Applet.
- Both languages can be used for back-end development. Node.js is the most popular and powerful server-side environment. While Java has been used for back-end technologies for a long period of time that uses Apache, JBoss, and Websphere.
