Dart vs. JavaScript

JavaScript and Dart stand out as the premier choices for developing mobile applications that function across multiple platforms. Although Dart is a more recent programming language in comparison to JavaScript, it boasts a range of highly beneficial features along with strong backing from Google. JavaScript attained peak popularity particularly in the realms of cross-platform mobile app development and server-side application development.

In this article, we will explore the distinctions between Dart and JavaScript. However, prior to delving into the differences, we will first familiarize ourselves with both Dart and JavaScript.

What is Dart?

Dart is a programming language optimized for client-side applications, created by Google in 2011, designed to facilitate the development of fast applications across various platforms. Initially, Google utilized Dart as an internal programming language to build web, server, and mobile applications. Dart compiles its source code similarly to other languages such as C, JavaScript, Java, and C#. Additionally, it includes its own virtual machine (VM), referred to as the Dart VM, which is utilized to execute native applications. Dart also features a dedicated package manager known as Pub. Its popularity surged significantly following Google’s introduction of Flutter, a toolkit for cross-platform mobile application development. The primary reason for this increased interest is that Flutter is entirely based on Dart. Furthermore, developers familiar with object-oriented programming languages typically find Dart easy to learn.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Dart

The following outlines the multiple benefits and drawbacks associated with Dart:

Advantages

• ✅ It is an open-source and client-optimized programming language.
• ✅ It is very scalable across the projects.
• ✅ It is developed by Google and easily runs in the Google Cloud Platform.
• ✅ It is easy to learn if we already know JavaScript because it is similar to JavaScript.
• ✅ It is quicker than JavaScript.
• ✅ It is mostly used to develop mobile applications.

Disadvantages

• ✅ It has only a single object class.
• ✅ It is a new programming language that is not much used in the market.
• ✅ In Dart, we can't rename a function without writing a new assignment statement.
• ✅ It has a limited number of online resources, so it is difficult to find solutions to problems.

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a lightweight, object-oriented scripting language designed for creating dynamic HTML pages that feature interactive elements on a website. This versatile language is also frequently utilized in the realms of game development and mobile application development. As an interpreted scripting language, JavaScript code is executed exclusively within a web browser environment. However, with the help of Node.js, it can also be executed outside of the browser context. Often referred to as the language of the browser, JavaScript is applicable for both client-side and server-side programming. It was developed by Brendan Eich at Netscape and made its debut in 1995. Initially, the language was called LiveScript before it was rebranded as JavaScript. The syntax of JavaScript draws significant inspiration from the C programming language. The file extension used for JavaScript files is .js.

Advantages and disadvantages of JavaScript

The following outlines the numerous benefits and drawbacks associated with JavaScript:

Advantages

• ✅ It is an open-source, flexible, fast, light-weighted framework.
• ✅ It allows cross-compilation.
• ✅ It supports interfaces, modules , and classes .
• ✅ It is used for both frontend and backend development, so it may run on different devices.
• ✅ It allows us to build interfaces that react whenever the user hovers the mouse over them.
• ✅ It is friendly with other languages; therefore, many other applications may use JavaScript.
• ✅ We may extend the JavaScript for writing large applications.

Disadvantages

• ✅ It makes use of limited libraries.
• ✅ Client-side JavaScript doesn't support writing or reading files. It has been only keeping for security purposes.
• ✅ A single error may destroy the entire website.
• ✅ It is a dynamic language, so developers may make big mistakes easily.
• ✅ It only supports the single inheritance, not multiple inheritances. Some programs might be required this object-oriented language feature.

Main Differences between Dart and JavaScript

In this section, we will explore the primary distinctions between Dart and JavaScript:

Ease of Use

JavaScript has a long-standing presence in the software development industry and is recognized as a mature and reliable programming language. Its ease of use is one of its key attributes. A wide array of frameworks and libraries is accessible online, providing developers with the resources needed to leverage pre-existing code, thereby accelerating the application development process.

Conversely, Dart is a language that is still considered quite new by many programmers who are not associated with Google. Although Google has made attempts to provide comprehensive documentation for the Dart programming language, developers often encounter challenges when searching for answers to particular issues. Dart features a coding style and syntax that closely resembles Java, which means that those with a background in Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) will likely find it straightforward to pick up and utilize Dart after mastering the foundational concepts.

Speed

JavaScript functions as an interpreted language, which may contribute to a perception of it being more lightweight and quicker compared to various other programming languages. It demonstrates superior speed when contrasted with Java and numerous compiled languages.

Conversely, Dart exhibits significantly faster performance when compared to JavaScript. It offers the capability of being compiled in both Just-In-Time (JIT) and Ahead-Of-Time (AOT) modes, which provides numerous advantages for application development. For instance, JIT compilation can enhance the development speed, whereas AOT compilation serves to refine the process for final releases.

Type Safety

JavaScript is an interpreted programming language that accommodates both dynamic typing and Duck typing. It does not enforce type safety, which means that any code can be assigned any type. Consequently, programming errors may only be detected during runtime.

Conversely, Dart supports both loose and strict prototyping approaches. As Dart is a compiled language, most programming issues are identified during the compilation stage. This makes it more type-safe compared to JavaScript.

Popularity

JavaScript is omnipresent in the computing world. Virtually every computer system is compatible with JavaScript. Presently, JavaScript is employed to develop code for web applications, mobile applications, and server-side environments. On Stack Overflow, there are over 2.5 million inquiries related to JavaScript. The extensive popularity of JavaScript has led to a vast ecosystem, and it now holds a significant position in the "market" for reusable components, particularly with the emergence of cloud-based component repositories. As a result, frontend developers may seek alternative options.

Conversely, Dart is experiencing a rise in popularity, yet it still does not rival JavaScript. Prior to Google's announcement of Flutter, Dart was relatively obscure. It has attracted developers who had previously been resistant to using JavaScript. At present, Dart boasts around 45,000 questions categorized under its tag on Stack Overflow.

Learning Curve

For those just starting out, JavaScript can be a challenging language to grasp; however, having a solid understanding of programming basics can make learning JavaScript much more manageable. Numerous online courses and tutorials are accessible for developers eager to master JavaScript.

Conversely, engaging with the Dart programming language may pose difficulties for newcomers due to its limited prevalence in the programming community. As a result, there exists a scarcity of online courses and literature focused on Dart programming.

Web vs. Mobile

JavaScript has established itself as a leading language in both web and mobile application development through a range of frameworks. The launch of React Native by Facebook made it an obvious choice for developing mobile and web applications tailored for small enterprises. A multitude of JavaScript frameworks continues to be accessible in the marketplace for the development of web applications, progressive web applications, and hybrid mobile applications, including Angular, Vue.js, and several others.

Conversely, Dart can be utilized for the development of applications for both mobile devices and the web. The combination of Dart and the Flutter framework gained widespread recognition for its capability to create cross-platform mobile applications.

Frontend vs. Backend

JavaScript plays a crucial role in frontend development alongside HTML and CSS. Nevertheless, due to the emergence of the Node.js platform, it has become widely utilized for backend and server-side programming as well.

Conversely, Dart is presently utilized alongside Flutter to create the user interface of cross-platform mobile applications. While Dart can also be employed for web development, there is no indication of it being applied in backend development.

Commercial Use

JavaScript plays a significant role in the industrial domain, encompassing extensive projects. It is instrumental in creating both networked and cross-platform applications. Notably, Facebook utilizes JavaScript in its web applications and cross-platform solutions, specifically through technologies like React and React Native. Additionally, numerous other companies, such as eBay, Airbnb, Slack, among others, also leverage JavaScript in their operations.

Conversely, Dart originated from Google. Initially, it was utilized internally within the company. Subsequently, following the unveiling of Flutter, prominent organizations such as Alibaba started to adopt Flutter and Dart for the development of cross-platform applications.

Head-to-head comparison between Dart and JavaScript

The subsequent comparison table provides a direct juxtaposition of Dart and JavaScript:

Conclusion

JavaScript and Dart stand out as outstanding choices for developing cross-platform mobile applications, particularly as they are utilized in frameworks like React Native and Dart. In contrast to JavaScript, Dart is a relatively new programming language that brings with it several intriguing features and substantial backing from Google. While it is uncertain which of the two will emerge as the more dominant language in the future, Dart has experienced rapid growth in popularity. Both languages can be considered winners in the ongoing Dart versus JavaScript debate, as they offer robust options for developers for a multitude of reasons. According to a Jaxenter survey, Dart was recognized as the leading programming language in 2019, garnering 223 votes. Furthermore, in a Stack Overflow survey, Dart achieved second place with 66.3%, just behind JavaScript at 66.8%, marking them as the most utilized programming languages in that same year.