Difference‌ ‌Between‌ ‌Java ‌and‌ ‌JavaScript

What is Java?

Java is a high-level object-oriented programming language. It is a multipurpose language that Sun Microsystems developed in the mid-1990s. Java is a platform-independent language. This means that it can run on any operating system or device installed with JVM (Java Virtual Machine).

Through Java, developers can write code once and deploy it on multiple platforms. Java is one of the most popular programming languages with a huge community. So, if you are planning to learn Java, you have made an appropriate decision, as Java is widely used in the industry. 

To run Java, you need an essential component known as Java Virtual Machine. Through this, we can execute Java bytecode. It provides features such as platform independence and memory management, security, optimization, and handling an exception.

The low-level representation of Java code is referred to as bytecode. The source code is converted into bytecode (javac).

Features of Java

Java is widely used in the industry. Below are some of the features of Java that make it one of the most popular languages in the world. 

• Java is simple and easy to understand; it is comparatively easier to write and understand. So you can even opt to learn even as a beginner.
• Java is an object-oriented language, which means that programmers can model real-world objects in programming as it provides features like objects, classes, polymorphism, etc.
• Java has a huge standard library that consists of pre-defined features, making programming in Java a lot simpler.
• Java has a vast active community of developers. Therefore, there are various resources online that can aid in your learning.
• Memory management in Java is very efficient, as the memory is managed automatically through garbage collection.
• Also, if you are someone who has done programming in C++ and finds pointers difficult, then Java might be easier for you as it does not have the concept of pointers.

What is Java used for?

We have discussed above what are the features that make Java such a popular language. Now let's discuss what exactly is Java used for. Below are some of the common uses.

• Through Java, we can build server-side web applications.
• Java is widely used for Android development. You can build Android applications using Java in conjunction with other technologies, such as Android Jetpack, RxJava, Firebase, Glide, etc.
• In research fields also, java is widely used. It helps in doing data analysis and mathematical modelling.
• Java is used in processing big data. The widely used Apache Hadoop framework is written in Java. Also, Apache-Spark and Kafka tools are based on Java. Through them, you can do real-time analytics.
• Java is used for developing IoT applications.
• It is also used in embedded system development.

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a high-level, object-oriented, and interpreted programming language. Over the years, JavaScript has gained a lot of popularity. If you are someone who is interested in web development and in making efficient and dynamic websites, JavaScript might be the language for you.

 All web browsers support JavaScript, and it is a crucial part of modern web development. It is known as the client-side scripting language and is known for its flexibility and versatility.

Features of JavaScript

Let's discuss some of the major features of JavaScript that contribute towards its growing popularity among developers.

• Javascript is also an object-oriented programming language, which means that you can create objects and classes and use concepts like inheritance, polymorphism, etc., to make programs that align with real-world entities.
• Functional programming is supported by JavaScript, which means that functions are treated as first-class citizens. Therefore you can assign variables to functions in javascript.
• In JavaScript, you can achieve asynchronous programming. It is very useful for handling events in web development.
• Javascript is supported by almost all web browsers.
• The functionality of JavaScript can be extended. You can achieve this by using third-party libraries.
• Javascript consists of vast APIs that developers can use to perform a number of tasks, such as handling network requests, accessing geological information, etc.

What is JavaScript used for?

Below are some of the common uses of Javascript.

• Javascript is used for making efficient front-end web applications. React.js is a javascript library that is commonly used in the front end. 
• Javascript is also used in the backend. Through Node.js, you can execute it on the server.
• Javascript can also be used in data visualization. There are several libraries, such as D3.js, Chart.js, etc, that let you achieve this task.
• Through Javascript, you can interact with web APIs that integrate with third-party services.
• Javascript, in collaboration with technologies such as HTML’s Canvas and WebGL APIs, can be used in game development.
• Javascript has various tools like Pupetter that are used in browser automation.

Difference Between Java and JavaScript

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better Java or JavaScript?

Java and JavaScript are two different universes having separate use cases. Comparing them isn’t possible. You should identify your use case and then decide which will work best in your scenario.

Should I learn Java or JavaScript or Python? 

If you are planning to learn web development in the future, then JavaScript might be the best option. Java can be opted for if one is interested in Android development. While python is used in artificial intelligence and machine learning. However, if one is preparing for DSA, then Java might be a better choice than the three.

Which is better for the future Java or JavaScript?

Both Java and JavaScript have distinct purposes. Java is robust for server-side and Android app development, while JavaScript is essential for web development. The choice depends on your career path.

Is JavaScript easier than Java?

JavaScript and Java are two programming languages that have separate concepts and syntax. It is not possible to compare two extremely vast languages based on the level of difficulty. If you have enough will to learn, everything gets easy.

Should I learn Java before JavaScript? 

Learning Java first is not necessary; they serve different purposes. Start with the language that aligns with your goals.

Can JavaScript replace Java?

JavaScript cannot fully replace Java; they are used for different domains—Java for backend and mobile applications, and JavaScript for web development.

Conclusion

If you’ve read so far, we hope that we’ve been able to help you establish the difference between Java and JavaScript, conceptually as well as practically. If you’re on your path to learning either or both, these are powerful skills to have up your sleeve which can be used in various aspects. Once you identify your programming needs, you should easily be able to choose the language you want to work with. 

We’d like to conclude the difference between the two with the famous words by Baruch Sadogursky, spoken in an interview: Java is to JavaScript what ham is to a hamster.