Java vs JavaScript: Crucial Differences You Need to Be Aware Of

Java vs JavaScript: Crucial Differences You Need to Be Aware Of

Feb 19, 2019
Chelsea Kaufman

Are you an aspiring coder? If so, you’re at the right place at the right time, because 2019 is an excellent year to kick-start your coding career and learn Ruby and JavaScript in San Diego. However, the decision to get into coding carries with it a number of vital questions that you must ask before you truly get started.

For instance, should you learn Java or Ruby? What do Ruby and Java have in common anyway? Does it take long to learn Ruby on Rails? And perhaps the most confusing question of them all: are Java and JavaScript the same thing? Are they even related?

In this article, we will answer the latter question. Read on to learn about critical differences between Java and JavaScript.

Is Java or JavaScript more useful?

Java is deliberately designed to enable programmers to write their code once and then use it in any operating system without having to make further changes. This mostly works. Alongside JavaScript, Java is one of the languages used most often by programming companies.

Its greatest advantages lie in its high level of security, its advanced stack allocation system, and its support for multi-threaded workloads. Because it’s object-oriented, Java enables the creation of reusable code and highly modular programs.

JavaScript, on the other hand, is an extremely useful object-oriented programming language that makes it possible to create dynamic HTML pages equipped with many interactive elements. As it’s a phenomenal front-end development coding language, JavaScript also works great in combination with Ruby on Rails.

Are JavaScript and Java similar?

The only real similarity between Java and JavaScript, which has resulted in a lot of confusion over the years, is in their names. The JavaScript coding language isn’t a part of the Java platform, and it doesn’t create stand-alone applications or applets.

Typically, JavaScript resides in HTML documents, and can be used to provide high levels of interactivity that wouldn’t otherwise be possible with simple HTML. While Java creates applications that function within a virtual machine, JavaScript code runs inside the browser itself.

Furthermore, JavaScript code is entirely in text, whereas Java code has to be compiled. Each of these two languages requires different plug-ins.

Do you need Java to run JavaScript?

Unlike Java, which uses JRE (Java Runtime Environment), JavaScript code runs entirely within the browser. This means that all you need to run JavaScript elements is a modern browser that has been updated to the newest available version.

As modern browsers handle their updates automatically, there is no setup needed in order to run JavaScript. As far as the end user is concerned, it all just works “out of the box.”

Should you choose JavaScript or Ruby?

Ruby on Rails and JavaScript each focus on different elements of website development. JavaScript focuses on interactive front-end elements, while Ruby creates complex background programs that are delivered to the user wholly through their browser.

In other words, there’s no need to choose. In fact, these two languages complement each other. Learning both Ruby and JavaScript is a fantastic way to become a highly versatile coding professional with a firm grasp of both back-end and front-end web development.

Top place to learn Ruby on Rails and JavaScript in San Diego

Located a couple blocks from the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge, Learn Academy is San Diego’s premier place to learn JavaScript and Ruby on Rails web development. Our intensive coding bootcamp is designed to not only give you in-depth knowledge of these programming languages, but actual real-world working experience as well.

Call us today to enlist in our bootcamp, or schedule a free tour of our premises. We look forward to meeting you and helping you jump-start your programming career.

Back to all posts

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find answers to the most common questions you may have. If you are interested in receiving updates on our future cohorts please join our waitlist!

A woman presenting and a woman listening.

Can I work while attending LEARN academy?

We have had students hold part-time jobs while attending the coding bootcamps at LEARN academy. They tell us that it’s not too bad if your work is on the weekend, but working more than one night per week is really tough. It is tough but possible.


What is the class schedule?

LEARN academy’s 4 month bootcamp is Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.


What do you mean by "full-time"?

LEARN academy’s full-time course is Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Students spend the first 12 weeks working in the online classroom and the final 4 weeks in their remote programming internship.


What is the background of the typical LEARN Student?

There isn’t really a typical student at LEARN academy. Most have not taken computer science classes in college, although some have. Some have not gone to college at all, but many have undergraduate degrees in something other than computer science. Past graduates have been in the entertainment industry, waitresses, massage therapists, in the military, and just about anything else you can think of.

Can I call you or drop by to talk?

Absolutely! We love chatting with potential partners and students. It is always best to make an appointment first so we can make sure someone is available to answer your questions. You can email us hello@learnacademyorg.


Is there any required prep work?

Students who are accepted and enrolled in the 4 month bootcamp are required to attend and participate in a workshop, called Jumpstart, offered by LEARN academy prior to the first day of the program. These workshops are free for students and included in the price of the tuition for the bootcamp. LEARN academy offers multiple workshops leading up to the start of class that students can sign up for.


I don't live in San Diego, can I still apply?

Yes! LEARN academy’s live-remote courses allow students to take our courses from just about anywhere in the United States. However, we are not able to support International students at this time.


How long should my application be?

One of the things we look for in an application is – did we get to know you? It’s almost impossible for us to get to know a candidate if each of the essay answers is only two sentences long. It doesn’t need to be a novel, but before you submit, check to make sure your personality is coming out in your writing.


How old do I have to be to attend LEARN academy?

Code school students must be 18 years old by the date of the first class as we are not legally able to accommodate minors.


What does the application process look like at LEARN academy?

Once you have submitted your application, the team at LEARN academy will review it and be in touch within a week of your submission date. If we feel it is a good fit we will ask you in for an interview. It is an informal interview. A chance for us to get to know you and for you to ask any questions you might have about the coding course. We know that it is vital to your success to find the course that is best for you and your learning needs. We use the interview to find out if we are the best fit for you! If at that point we both agree that it is a good fit we will invite you to secure a seat in the class of your choice.


How old do I have to be to attend LEARN academy?

Code school students must be 18 years old by the date of the first class as we are not legally able to accommodate minors.


What does the application process look like at LEARN academy?

Once you have submitted your application, the team at LEARN academy will review it and be in touch within a week of your submission date. If we feel it is a good fit we will ask you in for an interview. It is an informal interview. A chance for us to get to know you and for you to ask any questions you might have about the coding course. We know that it is vital to your success to find the course that is best for you and your learning needs. We use the interview to find out if we are the best fit for you! If at that point we both agree that it is a good fit we will invite you to secure a seat in the class of your choice.


Can I work while attending LEARN academy?

We have had students hold part-time jobs while attending the coding bootcamps at LEARN academy. They tell us that it’s not too bad if your work is on the weekend, but working more than one night per week is really tough. It is tough but possible.


What is the class schedule?

LEARN academy’s 4 month bootcamp is Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.


What do you mean by "full-time"?

LEARN academy’s full-time course is Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Students spend the first 12 weeks working in the online classroom and the final 4 weeks in their remote programming internship.


What is the background of the typical LEARN Student?

There isn’t really a typical student at LEARN academy. Most have not taken computer science classes in college, although some have. Some have not gone to college at all, but many have undergraduate degrees in something other than computer science. Past graduates have been in the entertainment industry, waitresses, massage therapists, in the military, and just about anything else you can think of.

Can I call you or drop by to talk?

Absolutely! We love chatting with potential partners and students. It is always best to make an appointment first so we can make sure someone is available to answer your questions. You can email us hello@learnacademyorg.


Is there any required prep work?

Students who are accepted and enrolled in the 4 month bootcamp are required to attend and participate in a workshop, called Jumpstart, offered by LEARN academy prior to the first day of the program. These workshops are free for students and included in the price of the tuition for the bootcamp. LEARN academy offers multiple workshops leading up to the start of class that students can sign up for.


I don't live in San Diego, can I still apply?

Yes! LEARN academy’s live-remote courses allow students to take our courses from just about anywhere in the United States. However, we are not able to support International students at this time.


How long should my application be?

One of the things we look for in an application is – did we get to know you? It’s almost impossible for us to get to know a candidate if each of the essay answers is only two sentences long. It doesn’t need to be a novel, but before you submit, check to make sure your personality is coming out in your writing.


How old do I have to be to attend LEARN academy?

Code school students must be 18 years old by the date of the first class as we are not legally able to accommodate minors.


What does the application process look like at LEARN academy?

Once you have submitted your application, the team at LEARN academy will review it and be in touch within a week of your submission date. If we feel it is a good fit we will ask you in for an interview. It is an informal interview. A chance for us to get to know you and for you to ask any questions you might have about the coding course. We know that it is vital to your success to find the course that is best for you and your learning needs. We use the interview to find out if we are the best fit for you! If at that point we both agree that it is a good fit we will invite you to secure a seat in the class of your choice.


Still have questions?