What is the difference between Java and JavaScript?

Although the names of Java and JavaScript seem to be related (JavaScript seems to be a script in Java?), But that's the only similarity. These two languages are not technically related to each other.

Why do Java and JavaScript have similar names?

The similarity in name is intentional. Java, created in 1990 by James A. Gosling, a computer scientist at Sun Microsystems, was very popular at the time Netscape named its programming language JavaScript in late 1995.

Relying on Java's reputation is a smart business move. As one Quora user hypothesized, Netscape wanted people to think that JavaScript was related to Java and they succeeded.

What is the difference between Java and JavaScript? Picture 1

Java was created in 1990 by James A. Gosling

That explanation is a bit compelling and not entirely accurate. The fact that JavaScript, designed by Netscape's Brendan Eich, was originally called LiveScript, but a marketing agreement (or maybe a fun trick) between Netscape and Sun caused Netscape to change its name to JavaScript, For the purpose of brand cooperation. At the time, Sun agreed to let Netscape pack the top browser with the Java runtime. The name change is part of the agreement.

What is the difference between Java and JavaScript? Picture 2

JavaScript, designed by Brendan Eich of Netscape, was originally called LiveScript

Since then, Java's popularity may have faded, but JavaScript hasn't. You can say that JavaScript is today thanks to the popularity of Java. But maybe not everyone agrees with this view. It is important to emphasize that beyond the naming convention, the two languages do not have much in common.

What are the differences between Java and JavaScript?

Here is a quick comparison of the similarities and differences between Java and JavaScript:

Difference

Java is a static, object-oriented programming language that works on multiple platforms. JavaScript is a dynamic programming language (or scripted language) used to make websites and applications come alive.
Java is based on class, and JavaScript is dynamic.
Java is an independent language. JavaScript is more dependent, meaning it works with HTML and CSS on web pages to create dynamic content.
In 2019, JavaScript is a must-learn for web developers, as it is used quite a lot everywhere, while Java is considered the previous generation programming language (however, certainly very Many websites still use it).

Similarities

As mentioned above, there are not many similarities between Java and JavaScript. Can point out some similarities in both programming languages as follows:

Both Java and JavaScript are most often used in client-side applications
Both Java and JavaScript use C syntax
JavaScript copies some of Java's naming conventions.

Should you learn Java or JavaScript?

Again, this is like comparing apples and oranges. But if forced to, choose JavaScript.

What is the difference between Java and JavaScript? Picture 3

Should you learn Java or JavaScript?

According to GitHub, as of 2018, JavaScript has been used to create more repositories than any other language. GitHub also reports that JavaScript and Python are becoming more and more popular year by year, especially compared to other languages like Ruby.

Do not get me wrong! Java is still widely used and very popular, along with countless reasons why you should learn Java. But JavaScript is an ideal starting point for beginners who are interested in learning to program, especially those who love front-end or full stack web development. Really, understanding JavaScript is a skill flexible enough to apply to a variety of technology-related roles.

It is very difficult to choose between these two languages. So, if you are really unsure, try to consider the ultimate goal and consider the pros and cons of each language.

Wish you have a suitable choice!

Isabella Humphrey

Update 07 May 2020

You should read it

May be interested

The difference between the == and === operators in JavaScript
the == operator compares the abstract equality, that is, it performs the necessary type conversions before comparing the equality. the === operator compares strict equality, meaning that it will not perform type conversions.
In the end, big universities realized that Java was a lousy language if used for introductory programming
the decision to remove java is really smart, because any student who has studied java has found that this is the harshest language that i have to learn when i start. frankly, it was too terrible.
Tutorial for creating slideshows in JavaScript with 3 easy steps
if you are studying or interested in programming, do not skip the article below to guide how to create slideshows in java script with 3 simple steps.
Difference Between JavaScript and Python
in this article, tipsmake.com will take you through the main differences between python and javascript.
What is Currying in Javascript? How to use Currying in JavaScript
the currying feature in javascript can help you keep your code tidy and give you a new way of seeing how functions work. currying is ideal when you want to break complex logic into smaller, manageable, and self-contained pieces of code.
What is JAVA file? How to open, edit and convert JAVA files
a file with a .java extension is (or sometimes also used in .jav format) is a java source file written in the java programming language.
Things to know about 'this' in JavaScript
are you having trouble understanding the keyword 'this' in javascript ? then please read what you need to know about 'this' in javascript below.
eQuiz - Multiple choice quiz about JAVA
following are multiple-choice questions related to java programming language, there will be 23 questions in total with no answer for each time. let's get started!
Download and install Java on the computer
to program java on your computer, you need to install the java environment, this tutorial will show you how to download and install java on your computer.
Basic Java exercises, with sample decoding
to serve your java learning needs, tipsmake.com has synthesized some java exercises from many sources, including sample code (for some articles). hopefully it can be helpful to learn your java programming language.