Java and JavaScript | Top 10 Differences (with Infographics)

Differences Between Java and Javascript

Java and JavaScript seem pretty much the same, don’t they? Java and JavaScript both have Java in their names, so one would assume that JavaScript is more of a “script-based” form of JavaScript? Right? Well, wrong. In fact, most programmers would probably groan at the comparison, and many consider it a marketing gimmick.

Java and JavaScript are, in truth, two distinct JavaScript programming languages. Java and JavaScript do share a brief history together during the early Netscape days of the internet, which explains the similar names. However, the two have since wildly diverged. A common joke among programmers today is that Java vs JavaScript are as similar as ham and a hamster. But jokes and trivialities aside, this article will do a more detailed comparison of the JavaScript programming languages, exploring Java and JavaScript differences and, yes, Java vs JavaScript have similarities too.

Around five or more years ago, the difference between Java and JavaScript would be easy to summarize. Java is a general-purpose language, while JavaScript programming languages are specific for websites, to create animated and interactive elements. Today, the case is different. Both Java vs JavaScript have developed and matured rapidly in the past few years. From a web development perspective, here are the difference between Java and JavaScript.

Our article on differences between Java and JavaScript is structured as below:-

• • Java and JavaScript Infographics

• Java and Javascript Similarities
  • Browser-compatible
  • Server-compatible
  • Frameworks and libraries
• Java and Javascript Differences
  • #1 – Execution style
  • #2 – Community influence
  • #3 – Writing and deployment
  • #4 – Debugging difference between Java and JavaScript
  • #5 – Higher level difference between Java and JavaScript
  • #6 – Programming or scripting
  • #7 – Inheritance
  • #8 – Differences in lineage
  • #9 – Other Technical Differences
  • #10 – Final End User Presentation
• Why choose JavaScript?
• Conclusion – Java and JavaScript

Java and JavaScript Infographics

Below is the Top 5 Comparision of Java vs JavaScript

Java vs Javascript Similarities

Both Java and JavaScript are browser-compatible

As mentioned before, JavaScript programming languages have been a site-specific. In its current incarnation, it runs on most modern browsers and several websites make use of this for improving their user experience. Java applets are also supported to some extent, but their popularity has been on a decline, largely due to security and compatibility issues. Most website visitors have JavaScript enabled and Java applets disabled by default, especially mobile browsers.

Both Java and JavaScript are server-compatible

Java has been a huge part of web application servers such as Apache Tomcat, JBoss, and WebSphere. These servers ran a big part of web applications seen on public sites and protected by corporate firewalls. JavaScript, on the other hand, has been experimented with on the server side for a while. With Node.JS growing in popularity, more JavaScript-coded application servers have been picking up use.

Both Java and JavaScript have frameworks and libraries

Frameworks and libraries are there for helping programmers. They offer them access to purpose-specific and general purpose code that is reusable for different products. When used well, frameworks and libraries can reduce the development time significantly. Both Java andJavaScript have reached a stage of maturity at which they have highly developed and a wide range of framework and library options available for various scenarios.

Java and Javascript Differences

#1 – Execution style

A key difference between Java vs JavaScript is how they are executed. Java code is generally written in an Integrated Development Environment or IDE and compiled to bytecode that can be run by a Java Virtual Machine but is unreadable to humans. On the other hand, JavaScript is executed normally by a JavaScript engine using the same syntax that it was written in, which means that they are readable at least in theory. In reality, JavaScript files sent online are typically compressed to a barely legible format. The readability here is an important distinction because making changes in a Java IDE can require several steps and specialized software for compiling and deploying the changes. JavaScript, however, can be edited with a simple text editor.

#2 – Community influence

The programming community has played a huge influence for both Java and JavaScript. The Java Community Process is used by Java to accept input on future inclusions in the languages through Java Specification Requests. Java’s current owner, Oracle, uses these requests to work on the next official implementation of the language. Meanwhile, JavaScript is a derivative of the language ECMAScript, which is defined by the non-profit standards organization, European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA). To be honest, programming languages need to have an open updating process in order to prevent them from becoming proprietary and obsolete.

#3 – Writing and deployment

Here is a look at another key difference between Java and JavaScript. Java is designed specifically for developers to write down code once and then deploy it in whatever operating system they choose without the need to make changes. This does work as designed in general, but there can be some hiccups in the middle depending on the coding and the JVM. JavaScript, meanwhile, is more susceptible to changes in execution environments, even though it follows the open ECMAScript standard. This can be frustrating for developers, but the good thing is that the program can query the environment on its own to determine the branch of code that needs to run for that environment.

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#4 – Debugging difference between Java and JavaScript

Java is compiled before it is run, so any structural problems within the code are made apparent right then and there. Once running, IDEs can help the developer attach to the JVM for real-time debugging. JavaScript, on the other hand, is not compiled in the same way, since it removes bugs in real time, because of which JavaScript’s debugging capabilities are highly dependent on the widely varying executive environment.

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#5 – Higher level difference between Java and JavaScript

Now it’s time to step it up a notch and look at the higher level difference between Java and JavaScript. There are several other comparisons that can be made with respect to their popularity, technical specs and performance. Assuming that you have a good understanding of Java and at least a basic understanding of JavaScript, how would you explain the difference between Java and JavaScript languages? Here are some higher level difference between Java and JavaScript:

#6 – Programming or scripting

Java is an OOP programing language, creating applications that run in a browser or virtual machine, requiring code compilation. On the other hand, JavaScript is an OOP scripting language, running on a browser alone and not creating standalone applications. It commonly forms part of HTML, enabling interactivity in websites that are not possible with just HTML.

#7 – Inheritance

Java has instances and classes as separate concepts of inheritance. For doing inheritance, you need to use the base class for forming a new class and then using this new class to produce derived instances. While JavaScript is an object-oriented language like Java, it does not use classes. You do not define classes or create objects from them. In fact, JavaScript is not class-based, but prototype based. For doing inheritance, you can use any object instance for a prototype.

#8 – Differences in lineage

As mentioned earlier, both these languages have somewhat of a shared history, but there are differences. James Gosling of Sun Microsystems created Java, while Netscape developed JavaScript, first known as LiveScript. JavaScript was developed as a very loosely based version of Java, in that both are object-oriented languages and both Java and JavaScript share similar programming structures. However, JavaScript has had a simpler and smaller set of commands than Java.

In case you are wondering what object-oriented programing or OOP means, here is a quick look. OOP is a concept of programming where the sum of parts makes up a whole. For instance, let’s say you are coding a car. First, you build the engine, which is clearly identifiable as an engine and can stand alone. Next, you build the chassis, which can also stand alone. Each component you build, from the interior to the doors, are standalone and clearly identifiable. Each of them is an object in that sense. But they do not function fully until all the parts or objects come together. Each part of the car also uses different materials than the other components. You wouldn’t use the same material to build the engine and the car seats, would you? In a similar way, all objects in the program use a certain class.

#9 – Other Technical Differences

While Java vs JavaScript have the same object-oriented approach, the former can stand on its own and the latter has to primarily be placed within an HTML document for functioning. Java is the more complicated and larger language here, creating standalone applications. Java applets are fully contained programs, while JavaScript is text that is processed and interpreted by the browser. However, today’s web apps are blurring the line between conventional desktop applications and those applications built using conventional web technologies like CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.

#10 – Final End User Presentation

Another key difference is how the language is presented to the final end user. Java has to be compiled in machine language. As mentioned before, the language has to be compiled before being sent out, which involves changing the text code into a smaller language that is formatted for being interpreted as a set program by the computer. Nothing can be added or removed from the program at this point without destroying it entirely. Meanwhile, JavaScript is text-based, in that you can write it to the HTML document and the document is directly run through a browser without compiling. You can change it after it runs time and time again. Once Java is compiled, you cannot change it. You can still change the original text and then compile it again.

Why choose JavaScript?

As you can see, Java is highly independent of HTML, while JavaScript is almost entirely dependent on it. Which is the better language for better web applications? Well, the answer can vary from programmer to programmer, with some preferring JavaScript’s on the fly coding abilities and some preferring Java’s wider capabilities and strengths.

One of the biggest strengths that JavaScript has going for it is that it can be understood by humans. This makes coding on JavaScript much easier and makes the language more robust too. It also gives a huge benefit over Java in terms of speed. You can create web page events and elements faster using JavaScript than with Java. Many of JavaScript’s commands are also termed as Event Handlers. These commands are directly embedded into existing HTML commands.

Apart from the ease of use, JavaScript is also slightly more forgiving to the programmer than Java. It gives the programmer more freedom in terms of creating objects with its prototype basis. Meanwhile, Java is more rigid and requires all the classes and instances to be defined and denoted. JavaScript also enables you to call on items that are already existing, like the browser itself or the status bar and lets you play with only that part. Java, not so much. It is more geared towards where it is needed almost all the time, while JavaScript is geared towards web pages where it is only part of the page being displayed.

However, both Java and JavaScript can really make good web page events, and both Java and JavaScript can offer a higher level of interaction between website and user than would be possible with HTML alone. Nevertheless, they are not equal in most ways.

Conclusion – Java vs JavaScript

So, now that you know the some few similarities difference between Java vs JavaScript, the final question is: which one should you opt for? The answer to this is: whichever language better fits your needs. Neither language is superior to the other. JavaScript and the applets are most often offered as fully functional items on the internet. This means that you can simply get them from the internet and use them on your own page, so long as you have the required permission. There are, in fact, several websites that specialize in providing applets and JavaScript. They do nothing else. For applets, Gamelan.com is one of the more popular providers. Javascripts.com is another common option for JavaScript scripts, with over 2,300 ones available all for free.

If you want to learn how to implement the items on your web page, you can find lots of great tutorials and resources online. JavaScript Tutorials and the HTML Goodies Applet do exactly that. However, keep in mind that they do not teach you how to write the languages; they merely show you how to place them on your website. It can give you a good introduction to both formats. Once you learn how to implement them, you will be able to better understand their structures and can try to learn more about the languages, even making your own applets or JavaScript elements someday!

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