There are vast differences between these two languages. The more detailed history is basically the only thing that connects them and describes the reason they both share the name ‘Java’ (more info on its history and the First Browser Wars can be found here.
The differences between the two languages are as shown below..
Java
- Java is a statically typed language, meaning that the variables must be strictly labeled as the type of data as a variable is declared. For the lifetime of a variable, the datatype always remains the same as when it was formed.
- Java requires classes to be created to make anything happen. Every class requires at the very least, one method(a function) within the scope of the class, which runs automatically when the class is called, enclosed in curly brackets. Each class can contain different attributes, methods and others.
- Java is known to have a stricter syntax structure model overall, and as such, it is prone to have fewer bugs than JavaScript.
JavaScript
- JavaScript is a dynamically typed language. This allows for variables to be declared without specifying the datatype, and the variable can change throughout its lifecycle.
- JavaScript functions allow for a more free style for creating functions, where classes and automatic functions aren’t required. JavaScript also has classes, but they are not required to create simple apps.
- JavaScript, in contrast with Java, is not as strict with its syntax and because of this, it is more likely to build on bugs that are overlooked because of the lax nature of the structure model.
- JavaScript is primarily known to be used as a frontend language, whereas Java is a better fit for the server-side.
It has been really fun learning Java for my potential next project and I am excited to use both in the near future!