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JavaScript, or Java?

3 min read

JavaScript and Java have nothing to do with each other than the first four letters of their name. Both are programming languages and they do have a lot in common, for example they have syntax based on C, but they are two different languages and are owned by different companies.

Java is an object oriented programming language. Java can run on its own. It creates stand-alone application or applet. A Java “applet” is kind of Java application that could run on a browser. Java must be complied into what is known as a machine language before it can be run as applications or its applet in browsers. Once the Java is complied, it is set. If the Java code is altered again, re-compilation will be required.

JavaScript is a scripting language that runs in the browser to interact with the user and content. It must be placed inside an HTML code in order to function. As a front-end development language, like HTML and CSS, JavaScript is interpreted, understood and executed by the browser. The browser interprets the text and executes the commands. The document could be altered and could be re-run.

Many of the programming structures in both languages are similar.

JavaScript however contains a smaller and simple set of commands as compared to Java.

Java can run on its own. It creates stand-alone application or applet. A Java “applet” is kind of Java application that could run on a browser. Java must be complied into what is known as a machine language before it can be run as applications or its applet in browsers. Once the Java is complied, it is set. If the Java code is altered again, re-compilation will be required.

JavaScript is much easier to understand than Java. It’s more robust than Java and it allows for fast creation of web page events.

JavaScript is a little more forgiving than Java and it allows more freedom in the creation of objects.

Java is a much more complicated language. Java is very rigid but better defined, it requires all items to be spelled out properly.

Usages of the two languages depends on your needs.

JavaScript is geared to web pages. Java is geared toward where it is needed most at the time.

Both languages create great webpage events and offer interaction between user and web page.

(At www.w3schools.com there are many introductory information about these two languages and if you go through all of the tutorials you will learn more about the two languages. You can go to the home site for Java and JavaScript as well.)

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