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What is JavaScript?

Macro language – With a macro language, instructions are passed to another piece of software.  Macros rely on and enhance another piece of software, in this case the browser.

Introduced by Netscape as “Live Script” and then through agreement with Sun Micro Systems (creator of Java), the language was renamed “JavaScript”.  This has caused a great confusion between what is Java and what is JavaScript.  They are not the same thing.  JavaScript is used to automate and enhance the functionality of the browser.  java is a full programming language which can be used to write computer programs.

Adopted by Microsoft as J-Script due to its ability to enhance the power of the browser.  J-Script and JavaScript is essentially the same thing.  The big difference between them is the browser.  In other words it is the differences between the browsers (IE and Netscape) that indicate a difference between the languages.  Many scripts can be used exactly the same regardless of which browser is being used.

Widely supported!  Both of these primary browsers support JavaScript which is the only macro language supported by both browsers.

Object-Oriented (limited).  A discussion of Object-Oriented programming is to follow.

JavaScript is case sensitive!  An uppercase D and a lowercase d are two completely different characters to JavaScript.