JavaScript: Compatibility, Strengths, and Weaknesses - Essay Example

JavaScript: Compatibility Running head: JavaScript: Compatibility JavaScript: Compatibility, Strengths and Weaknesses here) (school here)JavaScript: Compatibility 2 Abstract There are three core topics in this paper. First is JavaScript compatibility in browsers, operating systems and platforms, including mobile platforms, which have found increasing popularity in recent years. Second subtopic is the features that make JavaScript popular among web developers. Third is the downside of JavaScript, which may lead web developers to seek help from other scripting or programming languages. JavaScript: Compatibility 3 We have seen JavaScript evolve in its more than a decade of existence in the service of enhancing our web pages, totaling a number of ten versions since the time of its first release by the Mozilla Foundation (2009). In the course of its development however, it has gone beyond the realm of simple interactive web features to become a “respected programming language used by corporations and developers across the globe to make incredible applications” (Resig, 2006, p. 3). JavaScript 2.0, the next major release, is currently under development. Compatibility The success of any scripting language lies in its compatibility across different browsers, operating systems and platforms. A language developed by Netscape and Mozilla Foundation, JavaScript is naturally fully supported on all Netscape and Mozilla browsers (Lemay, 1996, p. 8). Increasing popularity however pushed other web browsers to support the language or implement a dialect that is compatible with ECMAScript. ECMAScript is yet another scripting language developed by Ecma International; according to a Wikipedia (2009) article, JavaScript is in fact just a dialect of ECMAScript. In this section, we shall examine whether JavaScript is a truly cross-platform application. Browser We shall begin by checking popular browsers for JavaScript support. Netscape Navigator and Mozilla Firefox are, as mentioned, out of the question, leaving us only with Internet Explorer, Safari, Google Chrome and Opera. Internet Explorer. JScript, an ECMAScript dialect, is Microsoft’s answer to JavaScript’s popularity. Because JScript and JavaScript are derived from ECMAScript, the two have minor differences. In other words, an IE browser may, to some extent, read a code JavaScript: Compatibility 4 differently from a Firefox browser. Thankfully, McFedries (2001) confirms that these differences are trivial and that commonly used JavaScript codes will still run smoothly on non-Mozilla or non-Netscape browsers. Safari. About two years ago, Safari, a browser developed by Apple, was made available to Windows. Luckily, “Safari uses Apples WebKit for rendering web pages and running JavaScript”, as stated in a Wikipedia (2009) article. WebKit is a web browser engine used basically to display web pages. Google Chrome. Google Chrome is an open-source browser developed by Google which, like the Safari browser, is based on WebKit (Wikipedia, 2009). This browser therefore can also run JavaScript codes and even faster at that, Google claims (Wikipedia, 2009). Opera. Version 9.0 of the Opera browser is reported to support JavaScript as well in a Wikipedia (2009) article. Operating System and Architecture We have just seen that JavaScript is indeed supported by popular browsers. To be truly cross-platform however, it should also be compatible with other operating systems and architecture. Windows and Mac OS X, two popular operating systems, would naturally support JavaScript because of its popularity, thus the release of IE supporting JScript and Safari, respectively. Solaris. Mozilla Suite is Mozilla’s all-in-one internet application for the Solaris OS. Mozilla 1.7 Suite, available for Solaris 8, 9 and 10 from Sun Microsystems (2009), are available for SPARC and x86 platforms. JavaScript: Compatibility 5 Linux. Also available for Linux is Mozilla Suite but the Mozilla Foundation has just recently abandoned its development. An Opera (2009) browser called Opera 7.11 may also be used. Mobile Browsing. With increasing popularity of mobile browsing, JavaScript support for mobile browsers should also be considered. There are a number of mobile browsers available depending on the mobile manufacturer and the type of applications the device supports. For example, Opera Mini, one of the most popular mobile browsers, runs via Java ME platform, which is supported by many Nokia and Sony Ericsson phones. Opera Mini is reported to support limited JavaScript functions in a Wikipedia (2009) article. This is not really surprising; mobile applications should be light enough to run on memory-constrained devices. Strictly speaking, JavaScript is not compatible on all browsers, operating systems and platforms. Goodman (2001) points out that programmers may have to deal with “all kinds of script errors when [JavaScript codes] run on a different browser brand, generation, or operating system platform”. What can JavaScript do? JavaScript was intentionally designed to enhance an otherwise dull web page. But because it is a full-fledged language, it can do almost anything that other languages can do. Goodman (2001) lists the following features that many programmers take advantage in designing web pages: JavaScript: Compatibility 6 Getting your Web page to respond or react directly to user interaction with form elements (input fields, text areas, buttons, radio buttons, checkboxes, selection lists) and hypertext links Distributing small collections of database-like information and providing a friendly interface to that data Controlling multiple-frame navigation, plug-ins, or Java applets based on user choices in the HTML document Preprocessing data on the client before submission to a server Changing content and styles in modern browsers dynamically and instantly in response to user interaction What are its Limitations? Yes, there are areas in which JavaScript does support and in such cases, it would be advantageous if the web developer knows other scripting languages or even programming languages that can run on a web browser (e.g. Java). Goodman (2001) enumerates JavaScript’s limitations as follows, which are mostly due to privacy protection: Setting or retrieving the browser’s preferences settings, main window appearance features, action buttons, and printing Launching an application on the client computer Reading or writing files or directories on the client or server computer Capturing live data streams from the server for retransmission Sending secret e-mails from Web site visitors to you JavaScript: Compatibility 7 Other than security concerns, Thau (2000), in his The Book of JavaScript: A Practical Guide to Interactive Web Pages, points out the following weaknesses: JavaScript can’t talk to servers (i.e. it runs on the user’s web browser, not on the server) It can’t create graphics It works differently in different browsers JavaScript: Compatibility 8 References Browser Wars. (2009). In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved January 17, 2009, from Browser Wars Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browser_wars ECMAScript. (2009). In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved January 17, 2009, from ECMAScript Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECMAScript Goodman, D. (2001). JavaScript Bible, Gold Edition. New York, USA: Hungry Minds, Inc. Google Chrome. (2009). In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved January 17, 2009, from Googe Chrome Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Chrome JavaScript. (2009). In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved January 17, 2009, from Javascript Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javascript Lemay, L. (1996). Laura Lemay’s Web Workshop: JavaScript 1.1. Indianapolis, USA: Sams.net Publishing McFedries, P. (2001). Using JavaScript, Special Edition. USA: Que Publishing Mozilla Foundation. (2009). JavaScript Language Resources. Retrieved January 17, 2009 from https://developer.mozilla.org/en/JavaScript_Language_Resources#JavaScript_1.x Mozilla Foundation. (2008). Mozilla Browsers. Retrieved January 17, 2009 from http://www.mozilla.org/projects/browsers.html Opera Mini. (2009). In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved January 17, 2009, from Opera Mini Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opera_mini Resig, J. (2006). Pro JavaScript™ Techniques: Real-world JavaScript™ techniques for the modern, professional web developer. USA: Apress, Inc. JavaScript: Compatibility 9 Safari (browser). (2009). In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved January 17, 2009, from Safari (browser) Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safari_(browser) Schrode, Martin. (2007). Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding "Opera for Linux." Retrieved January 17, 2009 from http://www.schrode.net/opera/tips/tips.html Sun Microsystems. (2009). Mozilla Suite. Retrieved January 17, 2009 from http://www.sun.com/software/solaris/browser/index.xml Thau, D. (2000). The Book of JavaScript: a Practical Guide to Interactive Web Pages. 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