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LAST UPDATED: JUNE 3, 2022

Java vs JavaScript: What is the Difference Between Java and JavaScript?

Technology #Java# JavaScript

    In this post, we are going to know the difference between Java and JavaScript. Both are widely used by the programmers and each serves a different purpose. Let's see some of the major differences between them.

    What is Java?

    Java is a class-based, object-oriented programming language, which was first designed by James Gosling in the year 1995 while working at Sun Microsystems. The code compiled in Java once can be run on any platform without the need for recompilation, provided that the platform supports Java. It is one of the most popular programming languages, with over 12 million developers worldwide.

    What is JavaScript?

    JavaScript is the programming language of the Web. Along with HTML and CSS, it is one of the central technologies of the World Wide Web. It is JS that makes our websites interactive and is supported by all the major web browsers.

    Features of Java

    • Java is a multithreaded language with automatic memory management.
    • We can build object-oriented applications with it.
    • Code once written in Java can run on any platform supporting it.
    • It enables high performance, thanks to its JIT ( Just-in-time) compiler.
    • Java's secure features enable users to develop temper and virus-free programs.

    Features of JavaScript

    • JavaScript is very easy to learn.
    • Its testing workflow is very strong.
    • It is widely used for client and server-side.
    • It is also a cross-platform language.
    • JS is not case sensitive, i.e. codes written in upper case or lower case format are treated the same way.

    Applications of Java

    Server-Side technologies like Apache, Hardware devices, application in scientific computing technologies, the corporate world, and a huge number of Android Apps are built with Java. ( Although, Google now officially supports Kotlin).

    A few of the big companies which use Java are Twitter, Netflix, Uber, Spotify, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.

    Applications of JavaScript

    JS is also used to build mobile apps with the help of React Native, etc, Various server-side and front-end technologies like Node.js, MongoDB, jQuery, AngularJS, etc are based on it.

    Examples of tech giants where JavaScript is used are PayPal, Groupon, Facebook, eBay, etc.

    Major Differences Between Java and JavaScript

    Java

    JavaScript

    • Java is a strongly typed programming language, and variables must be declared before use. In Java, variable types are validated during compilation.
    • JavaScript is a language with loose typing and more relaxed syntax and rules.
    • Java is a language for object-oriented programming.
    • JavaScript is a scripting language based on objects.
    • Java applications are compatible with any virtual machine (JVM) or web browser.
    • Node.js enables the execution of JavaScript code on the server. Previously, JavaScript code could only run in the browser.
    • Java objects are class-based, and it is impossible to write a Java programme without creating a class.
    • Objects in JavaScript are prototype-based.
    • .Java is the file extension for Java programmes, which translate source code into bytecodes that are executed by JVM (Java Virtual Machine).
    • JavaScript files have the ".js" file extension and are interpreted, not compiled; all browsers have the Javascript interpreter to execute JS code.
    • Java is an Independent language.
    • If the compilation time is contained within a web page and integrates with the HTML content, then the page is considered to be compile-time integrated.
    • The concurrency model of Java is thread-based.
    • Javascript's approach to concurrency is event-based.
    • Java supports parallel processing.
    • Javascript lacks support for threading.
    • Java is utilised primarily for backend
    • Javascript is utilised for both the frontend and the backend.
    • Java uses more memory
    • Javascript uses less memory than HTML.
    • To execute Java code, a Java Development Kit (JDK) is required.
    • Any text editor or browser console can execute Javascript code.

    Example of Java Hello World Program

    class Studytonight
     {
     public static void main(String args[])
     {
         System.out.println("Hello World");
     }
    }

    Example of JavaScript Hello World Program

    <html>
    <head>
        <title>JavaScript Example Code</title>
        <script>
            alert("study tonight");
        </script>
    </head>
    <body>
    </body>
    </html>

    Pros. and Cons. of Java

    Pros:

    1. Libraries can be easily navigated in Java.

    2. Also, it is a multi-threaded environment, so we can do many tasks at once in the same program.

    3. It allows us to create reusable codes and standard programs.

    4. Also, it is used by a great number of developers worldwide, and its documentation is also available in detail easily.

    5. Java is platform-independent, its programs are compiled in bytecode, thus allowing them to run on any platform that has JVM ( Java Virtual Machine ) installed on it.

    Cons:

    1. Garbage collection cannot be controlled in Java.

    2. Also, low-level programming constructs are not supported by it.

    3. Hardware cost in Java is huge because of its high requirement of processing and memory.

    4. Its programs are comparatively a bit slow.

    Pros. and Cons. of JavaScript

    Pros:

    1. It allows the user to create interactive web pages.

    2. It can be used to store and retrieve information on the user's pc.

    3. It supported cross-compilation.

    4. Once compiled, it can run on any web browser.

    5. It is open-source.

    Cons:

    1. It does not allow multiprocessing or multithreading features.

    2. It cannot be used for networking applications.

    Summery

    • Java is Static, JS is a dynamic language.

    • Code once written in Java can be run on any platform supporting it, JS is cross-platform.

    • Java's file extension is " .Java " , " .js" is the file extension of JavaScript.

    • Java is strongly typed, JS is weakly typed.

    • Java is a multi-platform, object-oriented, and network-centric, programming language whereas JavaScript is a scripting language that helps you create interactive web pages.

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    I am the founder of Studytonight & Fullstack developer (MERN). I like writing content about ReactJS, MERN, JavaScript, Docker, Linux, PHP, Go lang, Cloud, Web development, and general Tech related content. I have 10 years of diverse experience in software development.
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