java and javascript- programming languages used for various applications on the web. Java was developed by Sun Microsystems while javascript was developed by Netscape. The main difference between the two languages is what they can do: Java is able to stand on its own and is often used to create applets, or mini-programs that can be downloaded safely from the web and used anywhere. Javascript is a simpler language that needs to be read by a web browser before its commands can be acted upon.