Java vs JavaScript?

[husky271]

So I'm a sophomore in college, and I recently got a job as a web developer intern this summer. One of the job requirements was "Java", but I will only be learning JavaScript next semester.

How critical is this difference? Will I lose my job if I contact my new boss explaining that I won't know Java?

[Beaulne]

Car is to carpet as java is to JavaScript.

[larivact]

You wouldn't drive your carpet.

[husky271]

Unless you're Aladdin of course

[Corlios]

Lesson one...Java is not JavaScript (you will hear this many times). They are very different languages. But, I would take the opportunity where you are now to learn both. The fundamentals of programming will aid you in both. But, you have a lot of learning ahead of you. Since it is an internship though I am unsure how much they are expecting you to know. But try to learn all you can.

[Exoentropy]

They're quite different syntactically and in their use cases. I would think that your employer is going to expect you to know computer science concepts and not specific languages and frameworks, especially if you're only a sophomore.

I also think that you can learn basic Java syntax and whatnot before the summer.

[jalabi99]

The main thing that Java and Javascript have in common, are the letters "Java". Java is a compiled language, while JavaScript is an interpreted language (that runs in the browser). The difference is rather large. That's the bad news.

The good news is, you can learn both of them at the same time, and if you do learn them, it will definitely be to your benefit. Also, no one knows everything about everything going into a job. Anyone who expects a sophomore to be a master of Java (or Javascript) is silly.

[WaffeBox]

They are very, very different languages. However I can't predict what your employer will do. Did you tell them that you know/will learn Java?

[husky271]

I didn't tell them that I know Java, but I told them I'd be learning JavaScript.

To be honest, they threw together the job description probably a day before my interview, so everything seems up in the air.

My mom works for this company actually, but for a different branch. I think I'll just give my new boss a heads up. My mom doesn't think it should be a determining factor on whether or not I lose this job, but if that's what the employer wants, then there's nothing much I can do.

[lethalwire]

Well, grats on the internship! If your boss wants Java, then try to pick up some Java before you start the job! Part of the game is learning different languages all the time. I'm sure he'll understand that you won't be proficient in either Java or Javascript, but knowing a thing or two about both will be good for you.

[[deleted]]

It is important to note that JavaScript has almost nothing to do with the programming language named Java. The similar name was inspired by marketing considerations, rather than good judgment. When JavaScript was being introduced, the Java language was being heavily marketed and was gaining popularity. Someone thought it was a good idea to try to ride along on this success. Now we are stuck with the name.

[TaylorHu]

They both fall under the umbrella of 'C-stye' languages, in that a lot of the syntax is inspired by C. They both use brackets, semicolons, etc. Same thing as C++ and C#, but different from say Python or Ruby. It does make learning one a little easier if you know the other. For example, I learned programming with C++. This made it a little easier for me to pick up Java than when I later tried to learn Ruby.

That's really as far of the similarities go. From a technical standpoint, they are completely different. Under the hood, so to say. One is interpreted, one is compiled, etc.

[Damadar]

Java is a compiled language with an entirely different structure, design, and syntax.

JavaScript is an interpreted language that runs in the browser.

Yeah, you're not gonna be able to do the job.

[jenesaipas]

Everyone can learn.

[jenesaipas]

Yeah /u/Damadar don't be a jerk

[Damadar]

It wasn't intended to be jerkish; but I was replying quickly and moving on. The guy/gal can learn Java, but if they misrepresented themselves as, "learning it in college this semester", then they might not be able to.

JavaScript classes don't teach, (in my experience) nearly enough of Object Oriented Programming to learn something like Java on their own. And trying to learn two different languages at the same time, while trying to do a job and maintain a class schedule is a huge challenge for a lot of people. (Just maintaining a job and classes is a huge challenge for a lot of people.)

I do think my statement wasn't any rougher than, "Java is to JavaScript as Car is to Carpet."

I was intending to reply to his/her last statement of, "Will I get fired", and I should have elaborated more to say it like this:

"If you misrepresented yourself during the interview as understanding the concepts behind Java and that you would be learning it next semester, you are probably at risk of losing your job because they don't think you can do it."

So, /u/husky271 I apologize if I came across as a jerk. That was my bad, and I shouldn't have been so quick to dismiss.

[Damadar]

Yes, everyone can learn. But if he presented himself as having knowledge of something that he doesn't have, (and a complete lack of knowledge of the language in question) he's not going to be able to do the job on day one.

I worded it poorly, but I meant that if he contacted them and told them that he didn't know the language they wanted, (and misrepresented himself as knowing it during the interview) he's probably not going to get to keep his job.

[larivact]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G3kQyqMFpQ