Java vs JavaScript – Difference Between Them

By : James Hartman James Hartman
Hours Updated

Key Difference between Java and JavaScript

  • Java is a multi-platform, object-oriented, and network-centric programming language, whereas JavaScript is a scripting language that helps you create interactive web pages.
  • Java is a strongly typed language, while JavaScript is a weakly typed language.
  • Java has a file extension “.Java”, whereas Javascript has the file extension “.js”
  • With Java, you write code once and run it on almost any computing platform, on the other hand, Javascript is a cross-platform language.
  • Java is compiled on the server before execution on the client, while JavaScript is interpreted by the client.
  • Java is a static language, while JavaScript is a dynamic language.
Java vs JavaScript
Java vs JavaScript

What is Java?

Java is a multi-platform, object-oriented, and network-centric, programming language. It is among the most used programming language. It also used as a computing platform, and it was first released by Sun Microsystem in 1995. It was later acquired by Oracle Corporation.

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a scripting language that helps you create interactive web pages. It follows the rules of client-side programming, so it runs in the user’s web browser without the need for any resources form the web server. You can also use JavaScript with other technologies like REST APIs, XML, and more. Nowadays JavaScript also using technologies like Node js.

Java vs JavaScript – Difference Between Them

A major difference Java and JavaScript is that Java is compiled and interpreted language while JavaScript code is directly executed by the browser

Parameters Java JavaScript
Variable Definition Java is a strongly typed language, so the variable should be declared first before using in the program. JavaScript is a weakly typed language, so its variable can be declared where they are used.
Type of language It is an object-oriented programming language. It is an object-based scripting language
Type of object Objects of Java are class-based, so you can’t create any program in java without developing a class. Objects are prototype-based.
Extension It has a file extension “.Java”. It has file extension “.js”
Compilation process It is interpreted as well as complied. Java translates source code into bytecodes. It is executed by JVM(Java Virtual Machine). All browser has the JavaScript interpreter, which allows you to execute JavaScript code.
Process Compiled on the server before execution on the client. Interpreted (not compiled) by the client.
Code type Object-oriented. Applets consist of object classes with inheritance. It is object-based. Code uses built-in, extensible objects but not uses any classes or inheritance.
Syntax Data types must be declared. Data types not declared.
Type of language Static Dynamic
Key Features
  • Great libraries
  • Widely used
  • Excellent tooling
  • Can be used on frontend/backend
  • It’s everywhere
  • Lots of great frameworks
Famous Company using the Technology Airbnb, Uber Technologies, Netflix, Instagram. Reddit, eBay, Coursera.
Code 
class A {
 public static void main(String args[]){
     System.out.println("Hello World");
 }
}
 
<html>
<head>
    <title>My First JavaScript code!!!</title>
    <script>
        alert("Hello World!");
    </script>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>
Salary The average salary for a Java Developer is $103,464 per year in the US. The average salary for a JavaScript Developer is $113,615 per year in the US.
TOBIE Rating 1 6

Features of Java

Here are the important features of Java.

  • Write code once and run it on almost any computing platform
  • It is designed for building object-oriented applications.
  • It is a multithreaded language with automatic memory management
  • Facilitates distributed computing as its network-centric

Features of JavaScript

Features of JavaScript
Google trends Java vs. Java script

Here are important features of Java-script:

  • It’s a cross-platform language
  • It’s widely used for client-side and server-side
  • Strong Testing Workflow
  • It’s easy to learn and to start coding with
  • Added dependencies

Application of Java

Stack Overflow Questions JAVA vs Java Script

Stack Overflow Questions JAVA vs Java Script

Here, are important applications of Java language:

To develop:

  • Android Apps
  • Enterprise Software
  • Scientific Computing Applications
  • Big Data Analytics
  • Java Programming of Hardware devices
  • Used for Server-Side Technologies like Apache, JBoss, GlassFish, etc.

Application of JavaScript

Here, are some important applications of JavaScript:

  • Dynamic Single-Page Applications (SPAs)
  • Front-End technologies like jQuery, AngularJS, Ember.js, ReactJS are based on Java Script
  • Server-Side technologies like Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB are based on Java Script.
  • Mobile App Development using PhoneGap, React Native, etc.

Advantage of Java

Here, are benefits/ pros of using Java

  • Detailed documentation is available.
  • A large pool of skilled developers available
  • Huge array of 3rd party libraries
  • It allows you to form standard programs and reusable code.
  • It is a multi-threaded environment that allows you to perform many tasks at the same time in a program.
  • Excellent performance
  • Easy to navigate libraries

Advantages of JavaScript

Here, are pros/benefits of using JavaScript

  • It is an open-source project with Microsoft’s patronage
  • Specially designed tool for small scripts
  • Supports classes, interfaces, & modules.
  • Compiled JavaScript runs in any browser
  • Allows cross-compilation
  • You can extend JavaScript for writing large apps
  • You can use JavaScript to store and retrieve information on the user’s computer
  • Immediate feedback to the visitors
  • It allows you to create interfaces that react when the user hovers using mouse.

Disadvantages of Java

Here, are cons/drawback of using Java language

  • JIT compiler makes the program comparatively slow.
  • Java has high memory and processing requirements. Therefore, hardware cost increases.
  • It does not provide support for low-level programming constructs like pointers.
  • You don’t have any control over garbage collection as Java does not offer functions like delete(), free().

Disadvantages of JavaScript

Here, are drawbacks/cons of using JavaScript

  • Client-side JavaScript does not allow the reading or writing of files. It has been kept for security reasons.
  • JavaScript can’t be used for networking applications because there is not much support available.
  • JavaScript doesn’t have any multithreading or multiprocessor features.
You Might Like: