Java vs JavaScript: A Short Comparison

We keep broadcasting the idea that there are no good or bad programming languages but there is always a language that is better suited for solving particular tasks.

That is why there will be no conclusion on which is better: Java or Javascript but we will highlight the best use cases of each language.

Java

Java is an object-oriented programming language released in 1995. It is compiled and uses mainly JVM (Java Virtual Machine) to execute code. Java supports the static type of checking for programs, so mistakes and other issues are revealed during the compilation.

It is mostly used for back-end development and is the official language of Android App Development (and also the most popular for developing Android apps). The source code is compiled into an unreadable byte code which enhances its security.

JavaScript

Javascript is an object-oriented scripting language that also appeared in 1995. Unlike Java, it is interpreted and executed in the browser. Supporting the dynamic type of checking, JavaScript checks the script on the go, during the execution.

Its main task is to make web pages interactive and to be a tool for the development of client-side scripts or SPA’s (single page applications). The main purpose of JavaScript is front-end development. The JavaScript code can be easily read by anyone since it is written in plain text and not compiled.

The Similarities of Java and JavaScript

Paying a lot of attention to the differences, we should also talk a bit about what Java and JavaScript have in common. Both languages offer a wide range of frameworks and libraries which makes them robust tools for building modern applications.

Despite the fact that Java is mainly used for the backend and JavaScript—for the frontend, both of them can be effectively utilized either for the client-side or for the server-side development.

Key Differences Between Java and JavaScript

Java and JavaScript share almost the same name, which is true, but that’s as far as the resemblance goes. They’re created for different purposes, run in different environments, and work in very different ways. Let’s break it down.

Type of Language

Java is an object-oriented, statically typed language, i.e., you must explicitly declare variable types (e.g., int, String, etc.). This peculiarity provides error-free runtime but also keeps the code organized and strict.

JavaScript is interpreted and dynamically typed, though. You don’t have to declare variable types explicitly, and you can change them at any moment. These attributes make it more pliant but perhaps more likely to cause surprise errors if you’re not paying decent attention.

Where They Run

Java code runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which means that once you’ve written Java code, it’ll run on any machine with a JVM. That’s why Java lies in the hearts of big enterprise systems, Android apps, and server-side programming.

JavaScript was originally developed for web browsers in order to help websites become more interactive. But because of Node.js, it can now be run on servers too.

Compilation vs. Interpretation

Java is a compiled language, and therefore the code is first converted into bytecode and then run by the JVM. This extra step helps in performance and early detection of errors.

JavaScript, traditionally interpreted, is today often Just-In-Time (JIT) compiled, i.e., modern browsers compile it dynamically to run faster. However, Java still dominates in raw performance, especially for large applications.

Coding Style & Structure

Both Java and JavaScript are C-like syntaxed, thus they would appear the same at first sight. But Java is a class-based language and everything in Java centers around classes and objects.

JavaScript is less rigid, allowing both object-oriented and functional programming models. It also uses a prototype-based mechanism, and hence objects inherit attributes directly from other objects without the use of classes in the classical sense.

Handling Multiple Tasks

Java excels at executing several things simultaneously through multithreading, and that’s why it’s commonly utilized for big, high-performance applications.

JavaScript on the other hand employs a single-threaded, event-driven model. It can’t do several things at once like Java does, but it makes up for it with asynchronous programming (callbacks, promises, async/await), whereby it can handle things like real-time updates and background processes in a neat way.

Security

Java has built-in security features, including access control, exception handling, and runtime checking that make Java a safe choice for banking systems and enterprise-level software.

JavaScript, being a client-side language for the most part, is more vulnerable to threats like cross-site scripting (XSS) and cross-site request forgery (CSRF). However, using good security practices, these threats can be prevented.

Use Cases and Applications

Java and JavaScript are both reasonable options, but they’re typically used in different situations. Let’s have a closer inspection of where exactly each one succeeds.

Java

• Enterprise Software: Java is particularly good at big-scale enterprise systems, such as banking software, CRM applications, and any application that needs to run a lot of data and transactions.
• Android App Development: Java has always been a sort of standard for Android apps. If you’re creating an Android app, Java is a perfect option considering its native support for Android development tools.
• Backend Development: Java powers many backend systems, especially for web applications and websites that need to operate complex, high-performance tasks.
• Financial Software: Java’s performance and security make it a top contender for applications in financial and banking industries, where calculations and transactions have to be accurately computed.
• Big Data: The scalability of Java also makes it a good alternative for working with big data, particularly in systems like Hadoop, where the major stress is put on tolerating massive datasets.

JavaScript

• Web Development (Frontend): JavaScript is literally the life of any modern website. It breathes interactivity into everything from button clicks to complex animations and dynamic page changes. If you’ve seen a page transform without a refresh, it’s probably JavaScript at work.
• Backend Development (via Node.js): JavaScript developers can now use it for backend development as well using Node.js. Therefore, you can write both the frontend and backend of your application in JavaScript and enjoy working through the entire stack.
• Live Web Applications: If you’re planning to build a live chat, online gaming platform, or a tool where multiple people can work together in real time, use JavaScript because it’s great for regulating things that need to instantly happen.
• Progressive Web Apps (PWAs): JavaScript takes center stage for building PWAs, which bring the app experience directly into a user’s browser. You have the offline capability, push messages, and more with none of this requiring a download from an app store.
• Single Page Applications (SPAs): SPAs use JavaScript in order to get all the work left on one single web page so that you never have to reload the entire website when you load it.

Where Java and JavaScript Overlap

Even though Java and JavaScript are quite different, there are several areas where they work together, especially in modern software development.

One of the most prominent overlaps is in web development. Java is typically used for the backend, managing databases, user login, and data processing.

Concurrently, JavaScript runs the frontend, making websites dynamic and interactive. This is a common setup in large web applications, where Java does the heavy work in the background and JavaScript is in charge of the user experience.

Both languages can also be used in mobile development but in different ways. Java is a first-class language for Android apps, while JavaScript, via frameworks like React Native or Apache Cordova, allows for the development of apps that are capable of running on both iOS and Android.

JavaScript applications are not as strong as native Java applications, but they are great for cross-platform solutions.

In enterprise applications, businesses often use Java for backend systems and JavaScript for frontend development. Both of them together allow companies to develop scalable and high-performance applications with an interactive interface.

Finally, both languages see widespread use in cloud computing. Java powers many cloud applications at the enterprise level, while JavaScript is widely used in serverless computing and cloud functions because of its event-driven and lightweight nature.

Java or Javascript: What to Choose for the Next Project

By and large, choosing between Java and JavaScript depends on what you’re building.

If you need a large, heavy system—such as banking applications, enterprise systems, or backend services—then Java is a good pick. It’s great for running large, complex applications because it can process a lot of data at once.

Java is also the main language through which Android apps are developed, hence being among the most loved options for mobile apps. Java is utilized in the financial and healthcare sectors since it can endure large transactions and sensitive information.

On the other hand, if your work is web development, JavaScript is where you go. It makes websites interactive and dynamic, managing everything from simple animations to live functionality.

Thanks to Node.js, JavaScript is also used for backend development, so you can create an entire app without needing to switch languages.

Also, Java is perfect for many use cases, such as online gaming or co-editing tools, and powers Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and Single Page Applications (SPAs), which construct fast, app-like experiences in the browser.

The Bottom Line

Having almost 20 years of experience in application development for various industries, the SCAND team can not only create a product using any of the mentioned technologies Java and JavaScript but also advise the stack that better suits your project requirements and business needs. To get additional information or ask your questions, do not hesitate to contact us!