We explain the difference between Java and JavaScript with table. Java and JavaScript are both highly successful computer programming languages that are used immensely in today’s modern, tech-savvy world. Although they are similar, there are certain technical differences between the two.
Java is an object-oriented programming language. It has a virtual machine platform that allows the creation of compiled programs that are eligible to run primarily on all possible platforms.
JavaScript, on the other hand, is a programming language that is lightweight and is primarily used to make web pages more interactive. It is also commonly known as the browser language.
Both, even after being programming languages, do not have many similarities between them. It is a C-like syntax that is used in both languages. Other than that, both are widely used in client-side web applications.
However, only these are the kind of similarities they possess and therefore it can be inferred that they only have some similarities and more differences between them.
Comparison table between Java and JavaScript (in tabular form)
Java JavaScript comparison parameter
| Sense | Java is a general-purpose programming language, primarily class-based and object-oriented. | JavaScript is a programming language that conforms to the ECMA Script specification. It is a high level, often compiled just-in-time and multi-paradigm. |
| Kind | Java is an object-oriented programming language. | JavaScript is also object-based, but it is a programming language. |
| Platform | Java applications are those that can possibly be run on any virtual machine or browser. | The JavaScript code is developed for the browser only and therefore runs only in the browser. |
| Base | Java objects are class-based, and no object can be created without forming a class. | JavaScript objects are prototype-based. |
| Memory | The Java program takes up more memory than JavaScript. | JavaScript requires comparatively less memory than Java and is therefore used in web pages. |
What is Java?
It is a high-level, general-purpose programming language that is class-based and designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible. The old name for Java was Oak.
Java is a programming language that is primarily object-oriented and its applications can be easily run in any virtual machine or browser.
Since objects are class-based, they cannot be created without forming classes. This is also the reason why it takes up a large amount of memory compared to other programming languages.
It’s great software in the sense that it allows application developers to write once, run anywhere. The syntax of Java is similar to C and C ++, however the difference is that the lower level installations in Java are minor compared to both.
The original development of Java was carried out by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and it was in 1995 that it was released as a core component of the Sun Microsystems Java platform.
Java is known to be stricter than C ++ and this means that variables and functions must be explicitly defined. This also means that Java source code can throw errors or “exceptions” much more easily than other programming languages.
Java programs cannot be run directly by an operating system such as Windows executables or Macintosh applications. They are interpreted by a Java virtual machine that can run on multiple platforms.
However, the JVM must be installed to ensure that Java programs can run.
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is also a programming language, but it conforms to the ECMA Scripting Specification and is a high-level language. It is often considered just-in-time and is also considered multi-paradigm.
Although JavaScript is also object-based, it is a programming language. This language is primarily used in web development, and since the code is developed specifically for the browser, it can only be run in the browser.
Unlike Java, JavaScript objects are prototype-based and therefore require less memory compared to Java.
JavaScript owes its original development to Netscape and was developed as a means of loading websites and adding dynamic and interactive elements to these websites.
The JavaScript source code is processed by the client’s web browser rather than on the web server, which means that it is a client-side programming language. This also means that JavaScript functions will be able to run after the web page loads, even without communicating or connecting to the server.
There are several other scripting languages like PHP or ASP. Like them, the JavaScript code can be inserted anywhere within the HTML of any web page.
The difference is that the JavaScript code is fully visible in the source of the web page whereas, in other languages, only the output is displayed in HTML.
Main differences between Java and JavaScript
Java and JavaScript are both technical programming languages. However, except for a few similarities, there are big differences between these two languages.
- Java is a programming language that is primarily class-based and object-oriented. JavaScript, on the other hand, is a programming language that follows the ECMA script and is high-level.
- Java is an object-oriented programming language. JavaScript is also an object-based language, but it is a scripting language.
- Java applications can easily be run in any virtual machine or browser. JavaScript, on the other hand, is built specifically for browsers and therefore can only be run in browsers.
- Java objects are class-based, which means that they cannot be created without forming classes. JavaScript objects, on the other hand, are prototype-based.
- Since Java objects are class-based, they end up taking up and using more memory compared to other languages. And JavaScript objects, being prototype-based, consume less memory compared to other languages and are therefore used in the formation of web pages.
Final Thought
Java and JavaScript are programming languages that, in essence, are a bit typical to understand in depth due to their overly technical nature. However, having a general idea of what they could mean and where they are used is not that typical.
Both languages have quite a few differences between them, mainly technical in nature, and having an overview of them is not something that poses many problems.
