Java and JavaScript

Sadusha Nadeesh
9 min readMay 28, 2021

If you are new to the world of programming or a techy person you might often get confused between Java and JavaScript but let me, tell you that only commonality is the word Java. Now these two programing languages have their own benefits and similarities and differences.

We will discuss about these benefits, similarities and differences between Java and JavaScript.

Now before we begin discussion more lets categories main topics to be discussed.

1) Introduction to Java

2) Introduction to JavaScript

3) Parameters of comparison and have a look at how these languages are similar yet differ from each other.

1) Java Introduction

Now talking about Java, it is a programing language that is invented by James Gosling and developed by Sun Microsystems. It was first released in 1995, and several new versions have been launched since then. Java is one of the most popular object-oriented programing languages.

2) JavaScript Introduction

Now talking about JavaScript, Brendan Eich at Netscape. Inc. created this programming language in 1990 and named it “Livescript’ initially. Later, it was renamed to JavaScript. This is the language of the web and used to make web alive and add a motion to it. To be more precise it is a programming language that let you implement complex and beautiful design web pages.

Now we have little understanding about origin and stuff let’s move and have a look at the different parameters of comparison of these two languages.

In here we will discuss different parameters like,

· OOPS, Platform, Syntax, Compilation, Learning Curve, Scope, Support and Future of these programming languages.

1) OOPS

That is the Object-oriented programming concept.

Now Java is an object-oriented programming language. It uses objects to perform actions based on relations between objects.

Now talking about JavaScript, it is an object-oriented scripting language. It uses the objects to perform actions similar in Java.

So, in both these languages we have objects to perform various actions and in JavaScript actions are similar in how we do in Java. The main difference is, one is a programming language and the other is a scripting language.

2) Platform

Now talking about platform Java applications and programs run in Java Virtual machines or JVM, also for that you need to install JDK and JRE. So, these are basically the java development tools you must use in order to execute java code. So, all your programs will be running inside the JVM.

But talking about the JavaScript the JavaScript applications run on a web browser, there is no need for any initial setup. So, it is quite simple, all you need is to write your code and run it on browser. There is no middleman or downloads.

3) Syntax

The Syntax of Java is similar to C/C++ programming language. It uses classes and objects for your code.

And this concept is very similar to how we do coding in C/C++.

But talking about JavaScript it is very similar to C language. But it uses the naming conventions similar to Java. It does not use Java syntax or C++ syntaxes.

4) Compilation

Now talking about compilation Java programs are compiled and interpreted as it is a programming language. So, while your compiling or while your executing Java code the first thing that you need to do is first you need to compile the code and interpret.

But when working in JavaScript we only need to interpret as it is a scripting language or a plain text In JavaScript you do not have so many functions but plain text code.

5) Learning Curve

Both these languages are quite similar to each other when it comes to learning because it would take you almost the same time to learn these languages.

if you are good with HTML and CSS it wouldn’t take much time to understand JavaScript. JavaScript also has extensive documentation and online resources. You can learn JavaScript to build web applications and websites.

But when it comes to Java you need to have a clear understanding about Java concepts otherwise it will be harder to learn. Java has various online forums, documentation, and community support. You can learn this language to build various applications like android apps to desktop applications, however the use . So it will helps you to find solutions, learn it fast and clearly

6) Scope

It is how we write the code.

Java uses block-based scoping. In this, the variable goes out of scope once the control comes out of a block.

JavaScript uses function-based scoping as the variables can be accessed the function.

7) Support

Java is supported by almost all the operating system. So you will not face much trouble when you executing Java code because it is supported by almost every operating system.

For JavaScript all that you need is a web browser. JavaScript supported by almost all the web browsers that come with different operating systems.

8) Future

Java

Although its initial release was nearly 30 years ago, Java is still one of the most demanded and useful programming languages in technology world. Java to be an object-oriented, interpreted programming language that also support multi-threading programming. Due to this, it helped Java to conquer numerous software fields in the years to follow.

In perspective to today’s standards Java has lost a few of them at the hands of newer programming languages such as Python and JavaScript. However, it’s dependability, security, stability and many other benefits continue to make Java is still a valuable asset to the future.

This is a diverse language packed with object-oriented, high level language with many automated processes for easy use. Garbage collection for free up memory and does not require triggering by the developer. Its syntax is similar to English, which makes it less complicated to understand the programming language.

Java has been the number one programming language in the world for years. Java allows developers to do nearly everything required in the world of computing. For example, the development of complete web applications, whether for the internet or intranet, is possible with the Jakarta EE specification within the language. JavaFX was developed by the OpenJFX community as a more modern solution for developing graphical interfaces. Leading service providers in the world of cloud computing, including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, all support Java for application development as well. What’s more — it is also widely used in the rapidly expanding world of the Internet of Things.

Java is platform-independent, which means that applications only have to be created in one operating system and compiled to bytecode to be able to run on any other platform that supports the Java Virtual Machine. This is the basis of Java’s well-known “Write Once, Run Anywhere” motto.

In 2021, Java is still “the” programming language for developers to master. Whether trying to get a job at a software development company or acting as a freelance developer, Java is a must-have language in a developer’s tool belt and is applicable to a multitude of projects regardless of field, business sector, or type of program.

Given its ease of use, continual updates, enormous community, and many applications, Java has continued and will continue to be the most-used programming language in the tech world.

JavaScript

JavaScript had a large set of problems throughout the years after it was first established in 1995. Even though there were some updates, a lot of the major problems still weren’t addressed.

Some problems with JavaScript include:

· Lack of module system

· Loose typing

· Highly dependent on global variables

· Harder to find errors because of the syntax.

Even in the past 10 years it is still difficult to create frameworks with the language. AngularJS started off as a JavaScript-based framework until they ran into problems scaling the framework, so they decided to recode the entire framework using TypeScript (a variation of JavaScript) and renamed it to Angular.

It even seems like the interest for JavaScript is trending down as well.

But in these late years it shown its capability and begin to rise again for its glory. So many frameworks that are robust and user friendly began to work with the support of JavaScript was the biggest reason.

JavaScript has expanded to more than just a programming language for client-side applications. JavaScript has expanded to frameworks that touches many other aspects of the application cycle.

There are also frameworks for:

· Front-end applications (Angular, React, Vue.js)

· Back-end applications (Node.js, Express.js, Meteor.js)

· Android/iOS (React Native, NativeScript, Ionic)

· Machine Learning (TensorFlow)

A full list of JavaScript libraries can be found here.

A large portion of JavaScript libraries in the list above have been created in the past 10 years. These libraries have a lot of community support and get consistent updates (on average Angular gets updated every 6 months). These libraries are largely adapted by developers (especially the front-end frameworks) and play a huge role in keeping JavaScript relevant.

With the amount of contributions and support for the language being at an all-time high, learning this language will be a huge asset to you because there are so many libraries that you can use this language for. You can have your entire stack comprised of just JavaScript frameworks. The number of companies requesting for developers with experience in React and Angular are rising substantially and there is no slowing down.

What is JavaScript Framework, and Why Use One?

A software framework is an abstraction in which software providing generic functionality can be selectively changed by additional user-written code. JavaScript framework is an application framework written in JavaScript where the programmers can manipulate the functions and use them for their convenience.

Frameworks are more adaptable for the designing of websites, and hence, most website developers prefer them. JavaScript frameworks are a type of tool that makes working with JavaScript easier and smoother. These frameworks also make it possible for the programmer to code the application as a device responsive. This responsiveness is yet another reason why the JavaScript frameworks are quite popular when it comes to the question of using a high-level machine language. Let’s have a look at the best JS Frameworks in 2021.

i. Angular: One of the most powerful, efficient, and open-source JavaScript frameworks is Angular. Google operates this framework and is implemented to use for developing a Single Page Application (SPA). It extends the HTML into the application and interprets the attributes to perform data binding.

ii. Node.js: Node.js is a server-side JavaScript run-time environment, which works on cross platforms and is open-source. The framework is capable of driving asynchronous I/O with its event-driven architecture. It works in the JavaScript Runtime environment and shows JAVA’s similar properties like threading, packaging, and for forming loops.

iii. React: Created by Facebook, the React framework has earned popularity within a short period. It is used to develop and operate the dynamic User Interface of the web pages with high incoming traffic. It makes the use of a virtual DOM, and hence, the integration of the same with any application is more straightforward.

iv. Vue.js: Though developed in the year 2016, this JavaScript framework has already made its way into the market and has proven its worth by offering various features. Its dual integration mode is one of the most attractive features for creating high-end SPA or Single Page Application. It is a much reliable platform for developing cross-platform.

There are many more amazing frameworks apart from these. So other than learning JavaScript, its best to learn one of these alongside JavaScript, it will open up many paths that will help you as a frontend or backend developer.

9) Who use these programming languages

Java

· Uber , Netflix, Spotify, Instagram, Google etc.

JavaScript

· Paypal, Facebook, Google, eBay etc.

Summary

When comparing these two programming languages the common similarity between the two is that they both consist Java in their names. Other than that, there is no any other similarities.

Both used for building and creating professional robust user-friendly applications that maintain the technology world.

So, learning a programming language between these two opens a similar demanding carrier path in the technical world as a developer.

Each programming language is backed up by tech giants that hardly can predict the downfall for Java or the JavaScript.

Reference:

developer.mozilla.org

https://www.java.com/en/

Thank you for reading.

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