RE: What is the difference between Java and JavaScript?
I'm a beginner in programming and often hear about both Java and JavaScript. Could someone explain the difference between these two programming languages in simple terms?
Java and JavaScript, despite the similarity in their names, are quite different.
Java is a statically typed, class-based, object-oriented programming language that is designed to run with minimal dependencies across a wide range of computing platforms. It is typically used for large-scale enterprise applications, Android apps, and server-side scripting.
JavaScript, on the other hand, is a dynamically typed, prototype-based, scripting language primarily used for enhancing interactivity and providing rich web content on the client-side. This includes activities such as form submission/validation, interactivity like sliders/carousels, games, and fetching/updating content dynamically.
Key differences:
1. Typing: Java uses static typing (types checked before run-time) where JavaScript uses dynamic typing (types checked at run-time).
2. Running Environment: Java needs the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) to run, whereas JavaScript runs in the web browser.
3. Syntax: Java's syntax is influenced by C/C++, it uses classes and objects heavily. JavaScript's syntax is closer to C, and it uses prototypes instead of classes for inheritance.
4. Use Cases: Java is commonly used for building enterprise-scale applications, while JavaScript is used for scripting on websites and web applications.
Remember, despite their names, they are not related languages but meant for entirely different purposes.