C# vs JavaScript: What are the differences?

Introduction

Here is a comparison between C# and JavaScript, highlighting their key differences.

1. Syntax: C# is a statically typed language with a more rigid syntax, while JavaScript is dynamically typed with a more flexible syntax. This means that in C#, variable types must be declared explicitly, and the code is compiled before execution, catching many errors at compile-time. JavaScript, on the other hand, allows for more flexibility, as variables can change types during runtime and errors are usually identified during execution.
2. Platform: C# is mainly used for developing applications on the Microsoft .NET framework, whereas JavaScript is primarily used for web development and runs in the browser. C# can be used on multiple platforms with the help of Mono or Xamarin, but it is more commonly associated with the Windows ecosystem. JavaScript, however, can run on any platform with a compatible browser.
3. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): C# is designed as an object-oriented language, emphasizing classes and objects. It has features such as encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. JavaScript, on the other hand, is a multi-paradigm language that supports both procedural and functional programming styles. While it does support OOP, JavaScript's object model is based on prototypes and does not have traditional class-based inheritance.
4. Typing: As mentioned earlier, C# is a statically typed language, meaning that variables must be explicitly declared with their data types. This helps in catching errors at compile-time and provides better code clarity. JavaScript, being dynamically typed, allows variables to hold different types of values at different points in the program. This flexibility can make JavaScript code concise but can also introduce more runtime errors.
5. Error handling: In C#, error handling is achieved through the use of exceptions and try-catch blocks. Exceptions are thrown when an exceptional condition occurs, and the program can handle them explicitly. JavaScript, on the other hand, has a more relaxed error handling approach. Errors are often handled using conditional statements or by returning special values to indicate errors. This can make error handling less explicit in JavaScript programs.
6. Standard library: C# comes with a robust standard library that provides a wide range of built-in functionalities, including file I/O, network operations, and cryptography. JavaScript, being primarily a browser language, has a more limited standard library focused on web-related tasks, such as DOM manipulation and AJAX requests. However, JavaScript benefits from a vast ecosystem of third-party libraries and frameworks that provide additional features and functionalities.

In Summary, C# and JavaScript differ in their syntax, platform support, object-oriented programming approach, typing system, error handling methods, and standard libraries.