Scripting Language and Compiled Language

Question

I have two questions:

How does Jquery/ MooTools extend the syntax of Javascript? I mean why can you just have new syntax for Jquery and MooTools that does not exist in Javascript?
Since MooTools allows user to have class, inheritances. Interpreted language like this is getting closer to compiled language. Will they eventually replace Java (which runs on JVM)? Or are there specific aspects of Java that extension to Javascript will never achieve?

It may be foolish questions but I really want some keywords to explain them.

Thanks

I assume you mean MooTools not "MoonTool" (a microsoft product for moon-phases lookup?) — Brad Christie
– Brad Christie, Commented Mar 31, 2011 at 17:28
I think the distinction between an interpreted and a compiled language is meaningless these days. Java is not considered interpreted since it compiles to bytecode, whereas something like Python which also compiles bytecode is generally called scripted. Even Javascript gets compiled inside your browser by V8 (Chrome) and Chakra (IE9) nowadays. Furthermore, having classes and inheritance (both possible in plain Javascript already) have nothing to do with whether a language is compiled or interpreted. — MAK
– MAK, Commented Mar 31, 2011 at 17:38

Jared Farrish · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-31 17:30:01Z

3

One way that JQuery gives the impression of redefining the language is with the $ operator. What may not be clear however is that $ is just a function declared at window (global) scope, since $ is a valid variable name in JavaScript:

From the source:

jQuery = window.jQuery = window.$ = function( selector, context ) {
    // The jQuery object is actually just the init constructor 'enhanced'
    return new jQuery.fn.init( selector, context );
},

edited Mar 31, 2011 at 17:30

Jared Farrish

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answered Mar 31, 2011 at 17:28

Jim Blackler

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Comments

Mike Park · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-31 17:28:53Z

1

They are not extending the syntax of javascript per say. They still have to abide by all the grammar rules of javascript.

answered Mar 31, 2011 at 17:28

Mike Park

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Håvard · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-31 17:30:27Z

1

jQuery does not extend the syntax of javascript - it only uses some fancy tricks like using the $ variable. MooTools' classes are in fact a class you instantiate. Neither extend the syntax of javascript, only makes it appear so by clever use of variables.

As to your second question about interpreted and compiled languages, the answer is a bit more complicated and perhaps beyond my scope. Try Google.

answered Mar 31, 2011 at 17:30

Håvard

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Michael Borgwardt · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-31 17:31:19Z

How does Jquery/ MoonTool extend the syntax of Javascript? I mean why you can just have new syntax for Jquery and MoonTool that does not exist in Javascript?

You can't. Javascript syntax is just very flexible, so you there are a lot of ways you can add new semantics (meaning/functionality) to existing syntax.

Since MoonTool allows user to have class, inheritances. Interpreted language like this is getting closer to compiled language. Will they eventually replace Java (which runs on JVM)?

Interpreted vs. compiled has nothing to do with language syntax or semantics. Besides, both Javascript and Java are usually JIT-compiled these days.

Or are there specific aspects of Java that extension to Javascript will never achieve?

Static type checking for one thing (unless, of course, the language spec is changed accordingly. But that's most likely not possible in a sane way). Or native support for normal ints.

Jeremy · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-31 17:27:48Z

0

Libraries like jQuery and MooTools don't "extend" the JavaScript syntax. It's all legal JavaScript. They just use it in a way that you aren't familiar with. For example, $ in jQuery is just the name of a variable, since JavaScript variables can have $ in them.

Also, no, JavaScript is a completely different animal than Java. JavaScript is an object oriented language, but it's done differently. I'm not familiar with MooTools, but they don't do anything special. It may seem like they are "changing" JavaScript, but they are not. It just doesn't make sense to compile JavaScript.

answered Mar 31, 2011 at 17:27

Jeremy

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5 Comments

Mark Over a year ago

"JavaScript is an object oriented language, but it's done differently" - JavaScript is not an object oriented language by nature, it is object based. You can write object oriented JavaScript, however, using functions and mimic inheritance, private scope, etc.

Jeremy Over a year ago

@Mark: Just because JavaScript is object oriented, doesn't mean it can't be functional as well. I refer you to: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prototype-based_programming

Mark Over a year ago

Huh? I am not quite sure if you understand my comment. I said its NOT object oriented, its object based. There is a difference. I also never said it wasn't functional. JavaScript is very powerful.

Mark Over a year ago

JavaScript & Java have nothing in common other than the first 4 letters.

Jeremy Over a year ago

@Mark: I guess I don't understand how you are implying that "object based" is different than "object oriented." Either way, we are English language semantics. We basically agree :-P

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