Introduction
Deciding the right programming language is crucial in the journey to becoming a programmer. The language you choose will have a lasting impact. If you’re a beginner and the language you choose turns out to be complex, you will probably lose interest soon. Plus, new programming languages get released every couple of years or so. This creates more confusion and makes it hard to select the right programming language. Therefore, you must carefully consider the ease of learning, the applications or web applications that can be built, and their long-term prospects. Today, in this article, we will understand the differences between two prime programming languages, i.e., Java and JavaScript.
Overview of Java and JavaScript
Although Java and JavaScript sounds similar, both languages are different in their usage and functionality. Java is the mainstream programming language used to build a wide range of web and desktop application. JavaScript is used alongside HTML and CSS to add interactivity and functionality to the front end.
Java, initially called OAK, was introduced in 1991 by James Gosling and his teammates during their tenure at Sun Microsoft. But it was officially released later in 1995. It is famously known for its platform independence and write once and run anywhere (WORA) feature worldwide. Some of the big well-established companies and organizations that use Java are Airbnb, Uber, HCL Tech, Naukri, Jabong, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Groupon, Spotify, Eclipse, Hadoop, TCS, Wipro, Myntra, Flipkart, Trivago, and Ibibo.
JavaScript was created in late 1995 by developer Brendan Eich. During its inception, it was known as LiveScript but later changed to JavaScript and also goes by ECMAScript. Since its release, JavaScript has gained massive success in web development. Due to its powerful semantics, prototypes, first-class functions, array literals, object literals, and closures, among all the client-side development languages, JavaScript is mostly used for client-side web development; about 96.8% is done using JavaScript.
Differences between Java and JavaScript
| Factors | Java | JavaScript |
|---|---|---|
| Syntax | Java syntax is similar to C++: public class Main { public static void main(String[] args) { System.out.println(“Hello World”); } } Source: W3 School | JavaScript syntax is similar to C. <!DOCTYPE HTML> <html>
<head> <title>JavaScript Course – Hello World</title> <!– Script tag can also be placed here –> <script src=”main.js”> // External JavaScript Code </script> </head>
<body> <p>Happy Learning of JavaScript</p> <script> // Internal JavaScript Code </script> </body> </html> Source: GeeksforGeeks |
| Compilation | Java program is first complied into byte code first and then interpreted by JVM. | JavaScript code are interpreted line by line. |
| Platform | Java programs run on the JVM; this is installed along with the Java Software Development Kit (SDK). | It runs on a browser and doesn’t need a setup. |
| Variables | Java is a static type, so programmers need to declare the variable before writing the program. E.g 1: String name = “John”;System.out.println(name); E.g 2: int myNum = 15;System.out.println(myNum); Source: W3 School | JavaScript is a dynamically typed language; programmers don’t need to declare variable before; they can declare them only whenever they are used. E.g 1: var x = 5; E.g 2: let x = 5; E.g 3: const price1 = 5;
Source: W3 School |
| Compatibility | Cross-platform compatibility and supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Unix. | Cross-browser compatibility and supports Chrome, Safari, Firefox. |
What is the future for Java Developers in 2024?
Java has swiftly adapted to the paradigm shift in the technological field. Nowadays, Java can be used in big data, IoT, cloud computing, blockchain, and AI/ML. Due to which, the job market has a strong demand for Java programmers and developers, whether they are beginners or experienced. Companies are eagerly looking for Java developers.
Must Read: What is Java And What Is It Used For?
Is JavaScript Worth Learning?
JavaScript is one of the most used programming languages in web development. The rise of new frameworks and libraries such as React, Angular, Lodash, Moment.js, and Vue contributed to JavaScript’s rising popularity. Thus, working with complex web applications using these frameworks became super easy. Also, the functionalities of JavaScript libraries saved a lot of time and improved code quality. In addition, using Node.js for server-side development added more benefits to the language.
What are the benefits of JavaScript over Java?
- JavaScript is easier to learn and use than Java, making it a good choice for someone who is just getting into the programming world.
Java and JavaScript: Which is the Best Language for Beginners in 2024?
Java is a popular language for building standalone and web applications. JavaScript, paired with HTML and CSS, enhances interactivity on web pages.
PublishedJanuary 31, 2024
CategoryJava programming
Don’t miss the next one.
We publish essays on engineering, hiring, and building teams. Subscribe and we’ll send them when they land.
Unsubscribe anytime · one letter, never more