In software development, Java and JavaScript are two popular programming languages. Despite the fact that the two languages have similar names, they are vastly different. We’ll take a closer look at each of these languages in this article, compare them, and explain which one you should choose for your projects.

Let’s get going!

 

We’ll talk about:

1. What exactly is Java?
2. What is JavaScript, and how does it work?
3. Similarities
4. Key distinctions
5. Conclusions and next actions

 

What exactly is Java?

Java is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language and class-based. It can be used as a computing platform as well, besides being a  widely used programming language in the application development. Java is used for a wide range of applications, including:

• ▪ Front-end development
• ▪ Back-end development
• ▪ Apps for Android
• ▪ OOP apps
• ▪ Apps for mobile
• ▪ Apps for scientific computing
• ▪ Big data analytics
• ▪ Hardware gadgets
• ▪ JBoss, Apache, and other server-side development technologies

 

Let’s look at some of Java’s advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

• ▪ Fast
• ▪ Secure
• ▪ Reliable
• ▪ Platform-independent
• ▪ Memory management that is automated
• ▪ Multithreading capabilities
• ▪ Fantastic for distributed computing

Cons

• ▪ Usage of memory
• ▪ Verbose
• ▪ When compared to natively compiled languages such as C or C++, it is slower

 

The Java Platform is a group of Java programmers who assist us in writing Java code and running Java applications. It was created by Sun Microsystems’ James Gosling and eventually acquired by Oracle. The Java Platform includes an execution engine, a compiler, and a number of libraries. The Java platform consists of three primary components: the Java Development Kit (JDK), Java Virtual Machine (JVM), and Java Runtime Environment (JRE) (JRE).

Java Development Kit (JDK)

The Java Development Kit (JDK) is a programming environment for creating Java applets and applications. It’s compatible with Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and Solaris. JDK provides the tools we need to write programs and converts Java code to bytecode.

Java Virtual Machine (JVM)

For our code, the JVM provides a runtime environment. It is a component of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE). The JVM provides a platform-independent means to run Java code. It includes a JIT compiler, which turns our source code into low-level code to speed up execution.

Java Runtime Environment (JRE)

JRE is the tool we use to run our Java programs, and it includes class libraries, loader classes, and the JVM. It aids us in the execution of our programs by using package classes and runtime libraries.

 

What is JavaScript, and how does it work?

Brandon Eich invented JavaScript, a client-side, cross-platform, object-oriented scripting language. JavaScript is a popular web development language that may be used to create dynamic and interactive web sites. There are numerous uses for JavaScript, including:

• ▪ Game development
• ▪ App development for mobile
• ▪ App development for the web
• ▪ Creating web servers and server applications
• ▪ Increasing the interactivity of web pages

 

JavaScript executes directly in the web browser, thus we don’t require any extra resources to run our JavaScript code. It’s also possible to run it on a server using Node.js. JavaScript can be used to introduce dynamic text into HTML. It features an easy-to-understand syntax.

 

Let’s look at some of JavaScript’s advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

• ▪ Fast
• ▪ Simple
• ▪ Popular
• ▪ Interoperable
• ▪ Versatile
• ▪ Rich libraries

Cons

• ▪ Security
• ▪ Browser compatibility
• ▪ Debugging
• ▪ There is only one inheritance

 

Similarities

Overall, there aren’t many parallels between Java and JavaScript. Both are object-oriented programming languages that are utilized in web development. Java and JavaScript can both run on servers and in browsers, and they both offer libraries and frameworks to aid in the execution of our programs. There are far more variances between the two languages than similarities. Let’s look at the key distinctions between these two widely used programming languages.

 

Key distinctions

Consider the following key distinctions between Java and JavaScript:

Java

1. Compiled
2. It’s primarily utilised in back-end development.
3. Static type checking
4. Language compilation
5. Executed in JVM
6. Works on class-based objects
7. To write programs, use JDK.
8. Added security
9. Multithreading is available.
10. Standalone

 

JavaScript

1. Interpreted
2. It’s primarily utilized in front-end development.
3. Dynamic type checking
4. Scripting language
5. Browser-based execution
6. Works on prototype-based objects
7. Make use of a text editor.
8. Not as secure
9. Multithreading isn’t supported.
10. Inserted inside HTML

 

Conclusions and Next actions

So, which should I explore and study?

Both Java and JavaScript have their own set of benefits and drawbacks. It all depends on the type of work you’re performing and the goals you want to achieve. If you’re working with Android apps, scientific computing, big data analytics, or general-purpose programming, Java is a good choice. If you’re working on dynamic web page applications, front-end technology, or mobile app development, JavaScript is a great option. Overall, it’s critical to analyze your project or work and research study to ensure you’re using the suitable language.

Although we covered a lot today, there is still a lot to learn about both of these object-oriented languages. If you want to get started with Java or JavaScript, Hong Kong Coding Club’s courses and learning paths are a great place to start. Whether you want to get started with the Java programming language or learn how to use JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to build effective websites and web applications, we’ve got something for you.

You’ll gain vital skills that will help you take your programming to the next level, regardless of the learning path you pick.

Enjoy your learning journey!