Java vs JavaScript - What’s the Difference?

Intro

Many people confuse the two different programming languages named Java and JavaScript. That happens, of course, because of the name. However, these programming languages have nothing in common besides their names and the fact that they are both programming languages. We are here to clear this confusion.

However, there’s still confusion at hand because many people just keep thinking that JavaScript is some type or of Java programming language or something like that. Therefore, let’s make it clear once and for all, now, what is Java, what is JavaScript, and why the difference matters. Okay? Let’s proceed.

What is Java? Definition and History

Java is one of the foundational programming languages. Its origins go back to 1991. Since then, it has been one of the most important multi-purpose programming languages in the world. The creators of Java Mike Sheridan, James Gosling, and Patrick Naughton first planned it to program household devices controlled by a number of different processors.

It happened only later that the creators realized Java may be the best option to use for different web purposes. Java 1.0 was released by Sun Microsystems in 1996. Using the so-called Java applets, programmers were able to create interactive web pages with visual components that was a breakthrough during that time and has since been considered one of the most revolutionizing moves that helped shape the modern Internet how we know it today.

Most importantly, Java was first used to create OS systems on cell phones and then smartphones. Today, every Android smartphone (and the number is beyond 2 billions) runs Android OS and Android OS is made with Java. Without Java, the progress of mobile devices simply wouldn’t be possible.

What is JavaScript? Definition and History

JavaScript was called Mocha when it was first released back in the 90s. It was designed so that inexperienced developers with no knowledge of back end programming could use it to create dynamic web pages.

Mocha was then renamed to JavaScript because 2 programming languages, originating around the same time, planned to be use in pair: Java for back end and JavaScript for front end. Although, the creators did not know each other at the time or participated with each other directly. Nevertheless, the combination was apparent.

General consensus holds it that Mocha was renamed to JavaScript as a marketing move. It allowed for JavaScript to be associated with Java, so the product could gain traction on the market. This move worked. all too well.

How Are They Different and Why People Confuse Them

The main thing is that JavaScript is a front-end programming language. Java, on the contrary is a back end programming language. With JavaScript you can get a great landing page both interactive and with a lot of visuals. With Java, though, you can create entire OS systems like the one you have on your smartphones (try counting how many things you can do with your phone). Nokia phones used Java OS.

Briefly, front-end is a visible side of an app or a website, something that user actually sees and interacts with. Back end is a server side part of an app. Back end software handles data and ensures healthy data exchange. Back end technologies and server side programming languages can be used to create entire systems and complex programs with a lot more functionality and features than that of usual apps.

Some most simple apps and websites don’t require back end at all seeing as how there’s just too little functionality and no data to handle.

Most Java programmers also know JavaScript but not all JavaScript developers know Java. Moreover, JS programmers can even be seen as somebody between a programmer and a designer, since he handles a lot of visual development, work with CSS/HTML, and doesn’t solve architecture challenges or integrate features.

A typical JavaScript developer is not completely a programmer, yet not entirely a designer. He is in between and it is suit JS professionals to be called Web Developers, since they work primarily with web.

How Useful and Popular Java and JavaScript are Today?

Today, Kotlin becomes more and more popular for Android mobile development. Java still has a convincing authority and wide adoption rate, yet it is rarely used besides Android OS mobile development. And Kotlin here quickly occupies this domain, rising in popularity.

JavaScript, on the other hand, has never been better. This is the world’s most widely used and easy to handle technology. It is applied everywhere on the internet with hundreds of millions of websites on the internet.

Modern web wouldn’t exist if not for JavaScript. And Java made possible the mobile revolution of the 2010s. These technologies already have a lasting legacy.

The capabilities and performance of JavaScript can be significantly increased by various frameworks like AngularJS, VueJS, ReactJS, NodeJS, etc. Coupled and combined with any or all of the frameworks JavaScript transforms into a powerful web development tool.

Without any doubt, JavaScript and Java will continue to hold the leadership positions on the lists of the most trusted programming languages. Alongside with Python and C, Java and JavaScript are inseparable from the modern internet infrastructure, software engineering research, programming innovation, and commercial computing.

Conclusion

So, we enriched your tech knowledge base. Now what? Now you know much more besides the obvious that JavaScript is not Java and that they have almost nothing in common. You are now well aware what Java is used for, what JavaScript is used for, how prominent these technologies are today, and what makes them so popular.

Java and JavaScript are the foundational technologies of modern web and mobile digital sphere. We owe the internet as we know it and mobile devices that we carry everywhere to Java and JavaScript. These are core technologies that make all other techn innovations real. Whatever it is you plan to develop, there’s a good chance you will need to use Java, JavaScript or both to reach your goals. Good luck!