While Java and JavaScript sound the same, developers use them for different purposes. Keep reading to learn the major contrasts and when you should use each.
A lot of people might think that Java and JavaScript are the same things, and it would be hard to blame them. After all, from online articles to corporate leaders and many folks in between, the terms often get used interchangeably. The truth is that both Java and JavaScript are unique languages with their own benefits, drawbacks, and ways of doing things.
Here we’ll take a look at the difference between Java development and JavaScript development, which will help better explain what each one does (or doesn’t do), and when and why you might choose one over the other. We’ll also look at whether you might want or need to use both of them depending on the project you are working on and the specific problems you are solving for.
Getting to Know JavaScript
Let’s start by looking at JavaScript. JavaScript has been around since the internet really got started. Developed in 1990 to work with Netscape and Internet Explorer web browsers, JavaScript is a programming language that tells the computer how to interact with the user inputs; it interprets the commands and allows for the use, management, and creation of dynamic web pages including animations, user interactivity, and so on. One of the benefits of JavaScript is that it does not require any separate plugins or code compiling, making it a fast language perfect for web browsing, both in the early days of the internet and even today with more feature-rich content.
JavaScript (in concert with HTML and CSS) really makes the majority of the internet work today. It is not only the most popular programming language around, but also offers a great deal of flexibility. JavaScript also extends to mobile app and game development, so it is a truly indispensable language.
Basics about Java
Originally developed by Sun Microsystems and released in 1995, Java is a programming language that forms the backbone of a lot of modern applications. Nearly all computers are compatible with Java, and some of the biggest business and organization websites and applications are built with or utilize Java.
Nowadays it’s not just the web browser popularity of Java that makes it important; web applications, Android apps, software tools, and much more are all written using Java. And most people consider Java an easy language to write, and there is a wide range of libraries and frameworks available to help you accomplish almost anything with Java programming.
Many programmers like Java for the fact that it is secure, which is why so many banking and transaction services use it. Even the stock market and big data applications are built with Java. It’s considered to be similar to C and C++, but easier to learn and use.
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Major Differences Between Java and JavaScript
Both Java and JavaScript have their place and their uses, and this is where some of the bigger differences factor in.
For instance, Java is primarily used for server-side development, where HTML code forms the backbone of the page, and Java is strategically incorporated for dynamic or interactive content. Java is considered a general-purpose programming language similar to Python. Because it is an object-oriented programming language (or OOP), it is also similar to C++. Java also runs in a Java virtual machine or browser (meaning it can run anywhere), whereas JavaScript runs in the user’s local browser on their computer. Finally, Java code must be compiled, while JavaScript code is all text.
This final difference explains why Java is considered a programming language (which allows communication between instructions and the computer), while JavaScript is considered a scripting language (a type of programming language that specifically controls one or several applications, but does not need to be compiled).
Where to Use Java
Java, given its flexibility and portability, has become essential for enterprise-level web apps. Java applications, programs that run on their own in a client or server, can include internal and external needs, but with the increase in work-from-home situations in the last two years, many organizations need enterprise web applications to facilitate interdepartmental collaboration and other processes.
If you are planning to develop an Android app, then Java is a must-have programming language. In fact, mobile development may be the biggest sector for growth in Java development in the coming years. Java is also being used for the software development of desktop applications, which may become more popular in the future.
Where to Use JavaScript
JavaScript is one of the best options for web development. Examples of where using JavaScript would make the most sense include front-end and back-end development, including either the addition or implementation of dynamic functions for a website (such as content creation or blogging, eCommerce, task or project management, and more).
JavaScript’s core elements (library of objects and language elements) offer a lot of potential from the start. Even better, though, is the fact that JavaScript can be supplemented with additional objects, allowing for specialized development and custom functions.
JavaScript is more of a “sandbox” or “playground” than Java in some ways. There are fewer things you have to worry about addressing, such as variables or classes.
Java & JavaScript—Start Brewing
So, which should you choose? That question is a difficult one to answer in some ways, but the answer may also be “both.” The ways that Java and JavaScript are written, and how they function, mean that your project might require development in both of them. From eCommerce to mobile apps to content management systems and more, Java is a very important tool to have in your belt. For front-end and back-end web development where you want code that can run in a user’s browser, and where interactive elements are a part of the design/function of the site, JavaScript is the coding choice of a majority of web developers around the globe.
Some of the upsides of choosing Java include the availability of a lot of very skilled Java developers, tons of third-party libraries to help you on your way, and great performance.
JavaScript’s advantages include the fact that it is an open-source language, it stores and retrieves information from the user’s computer, and it lets you build dynamic and interactive interfaces.
Java’s downsides include the fact that it requires a lot of memory and processing power, and the compiling process can make Java seem to run slowly. JavaScript addresses some of these but has its own disadvantages including the fact that it can’t be used for networking applications, and it can’t read or write files (on the client-side). JavaScript also doesn’t have any multithreading or multiprocessor features.
Now that you know the key differences, advantages, and disadvantages of Java vs. JavaScript, you can see why the right answer might be to not choose at all but to use both. The simplest way to find out for sure is to really sit down and think about what your business needs, and then consult with experts to find the right solution.