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Java vrs. Javascript: The age-old battle

Many uninformed people confuse Javascript with Java, or, worse yet, say that they are very similar. Java and Javascript are like corn and syrup (I hope you like that analogy) in that they just aren't much alike. You may think that Java is the greater of the two languages because of all the hype. Don't believe it. Let's compare Java and Javascript in a few categories:

Speed of loading: Javascript is by far faster loading. On many computers, Java is a slow dinosaur, although if you have a speedy graphics card and a lightning 160 Mhz CPU, it will be nice and fast. Chalk one up for Javascript.

Ease of implementation: Javascript can be imbedded in HTML files. Java requires compiling and snail-speed uploading, as well as server-compatability problems. Score this one for Javascript, too.

Versitility: OK, so Java is more versitile; you can do just about anything with it. This one goes for Java.

Prestiege: Java will look better on your resume any day. Java wins again.

The result is two points to two points. So Javascript's not quite so bad after all, eh?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bad-mouthing Java. The point here is that Java is good for some things, but it's not all it's cracked up to be. Javascript is great for web site enhancement, and Java is great for other Internet uses besides web sites. I have to reiterate again, Java is made out to be great for web sites, but it's not.


Microsoft polluting javascript?

  1. Background

    2. You all know about the Sun-Microsoft suit. Microsoft has altered java in it's latest browser, IE4.0 so that java will only work on Win95. Microsoft has quite a foothold on java with IE and Microsoft J++ programming tool. Sun is suing because that violated an earlier contract.
  2. But has Microsoft polluted javascript as well as Java?

    3. Well, to find the answer to this I downloaded both the Mac and Win95 versions of IE4.0 and crash tested them with several complicated javascripts which I knew to work on Netscape. Although the Mac version crashed once or twice on scripts, I believe IE4.0 works up to par with Netscape 4.0's javascript capabilities. That's right, you can't get on Microsoft's case for this one. You people are vultures.

Article © and written by Robin Friedman


How do the Internet Explorer/Netscape battles affect javascript?


  1. Background

    2. The two most popular browsers are, and have been for quite some time, Netscape Navigator (newer versions are called Communicator) and Microsoft Internet Explorer. At first Netscape had the clear lead in the market. It was the first to embrace Java and Javascript in version 2.0. In fact, up until the release of Internet Explorer 4.0, it had nearly a 90% market share! However, with cooler features and better Java and Javascript support than earlier versions, combined with the fact that unlike Netscape's browser it's free, have given Internet Explorer (IE) a jump on the market share, about 40% at the time of this writing.
  2. Which is better for javascript?

    3. If you discount Internet Explorer 4.0, with a few exceptions(Communicator 4.0 for Macintosh 68k doesn't support Java) Netscape is clear ahead. However, Explorer 4.0 uses an equal version of javascript as Communicator 4.0. So they are almost equal. Although I have found that Explorer preforms very well on my Win95 PC, it crashes like a drunk driver on my Mac. I have gotten reports of it crashing often on other platforms too. I recommend using IE4.0 for your Win95PC and Netscape Communicator 4.x or Navigator 3.x for any other OS.
  3. What version of javascript should I use?

    4. I suggest gearing your scripts toward Navigator 3.0. Communicator 4.x and IE 4.0 have a later version, but they're not all the net, and the new javascript features in them are just flashy junk that you don't want to use. Netscape 2.x and IE 3.x have totally inferior javascript, plus it's getting very rare that you see one of them now. For example, you can't do onmouseover image swaps with them. That's why Netscape 3.0's javascript capabilities are the most universal.
    Article © and written by Robin Friedman

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