Java and JavaScript are two distinct programming languages that serve different purposes and have different capabilities. Despite the similarity in their names, their functionalities, use cases, and design philosophies are quite different. Here are the main differences:
Differences between Java and JavaScript
| Feature | Java | JavaScript |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Object-oriented programming language. | Interpreted scripting language. |
| Execution | Runs on a virtual machine or a browser that supports Java. | Runs in a web browser or a Node.js environment on the server side. |
| Main Use | Primarily used for building standalone applications, mobile applications (Android), and large-scale enterprise systems. | Mainly used for adding interactive behavior to web pages, building web applications, and server-side development with environments like Node.js. |
| Syntax | Syntax is similar to C/C++, uses strong static typing. Classes define the behavior of objects. | Syntax influenced by C, but simpler. Uses dynamic typing and follows object-oriented programming as well as functional programming paradigms. |
| Compilation | Compiled into bytecode, which runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). | Interpreted or just-in-time compiled for execution. |
| Concurrency | Uses thread-based multitasking and concurrency features built into the language. | Uses event-driven, non-blocking I/O models. Promises and async/await are used for handling asynchronous operations. |
| File Extension | .java for source files, .class for compiled bytecode. | .js for JavaScript files. |
| Platforms | Can run on any device equipped with a JVM. | Runs in any modern web browser without the need for additional software, and on the server side via Node.js. |
| Typing | Static typing: variable types are known at compile time. | Dynamic typing: variable types are known at runtime. |