Is Dart better than JavaScript?
Tags: dart, javascript, programming, software
Published: 2023-04-25 15:43:19

The rise of cross-platform apps has brought new programming languages like Dart and new practices into software development. On the other hand, we have popular JavaScript, with a huge army of developers widely using the language. Both relatively new and already popular languages are constantly compared with other languages to find their strengths and weaknesses and position them among the top cross-platform programming languages. Today, we will have a "Dart vs. JavaScript comparison" with a comprehensive guide to each programming language and the differences between Dart and JavaScript.

## What is Dart?
Dart is a general-purpose client-optimized programming language with a C-style syntax that is easy to read and write. It was developed by Google in 2011 and can be used to create apps for any platform. Initially, it was used as an internal language to build server, web, and mobile apps. The rise of Dart started with Google’s [Flutter](https://addevice.medium.com/how-we-make-flutter-work-with-callkit-call-directory-e56b7a9513b4), an open-source, cross-platform app development framework announced in 2017.  
Today, Dart is used for building web, mobile, and desktop applications, and it can be compiled into JavaScript to run in the browser. Dart also has its own virtual machine, which makes it fast and efficient.
One of the key features of Dart is its support for just-in-time (JIT) and ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation. This means that Dart code can be compiled into native machine code, which makes it fast and efficient. Dart also has a strong type system, which helps catch errors before the code is executed. Of course, Dart has multiple more features to consider.

**Main features of Dart**

- **Optional Typing:** With Dart, you can practice both static and dynamic typing to catch errors at compile time or when you need a more flexible programming style.
- **Garbage Collection:** Dart’s automatic garbage collection frees up memory that is no longer being used by your program so that you won’t have to worry about managing memory. 
- **Isolates**: Dart’s unique concurrency model uses isolates that are lightweight and independent to communicate with each other via message passing. This makes it easy to write concurrent programs that are both safe and efficient.
- **Asynchronous Programming:** Dart’s built-in support for asynchronous programming allows you to write non-blocking code and handle multiple tasks simultaneously. This feature helps you write fast, responsive applications while at the same time handling a large number of connections.
- **Flutter Framework:** Dart is the primary language of the Flutter framework for building high-performance, cross-platform mobile applications for iOS and Android devices.
- **Interoperability:** Dart’s interoperability feature with other languages helps you easily use Dart code alongside code written in other programming languages, thus enabling integration into existing projects.
- **Tooling:** A comprehensive set of tools, including an IDE (Integrated Development Environment), a debugger, and a package manager, helps develop, debug, and deploy Dart applications.

Advantages | Disadvantages 
--- | --- | ---
Performance | Limited community
Code organization | Limited libraries
Available materials to learn | Limited browser support
Cross-platform development | Steep learning curve

**Tools that integrate with Dart**

- Flutter
- Aqueduct
- Angular Dart
- Dart Webdev

## What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is a high-level, object-oriented, dynamic programming language created in 1995. It is used to build HTML pages and interactive web applications. JavaScript is used for front-end and back-end development, creating animations, manipulating HTML and CSS, and interacting with APIs.
JavaScript is an interpreted language, which means that it is executed by the browser or server in real time. JavaScript also has many frameworks and libraries that make it easy to build complex web applications.
After being around for 28 years, Javascript is already a stable programming language with a huge community that became more popular after Facebook launched the React and React Native frameworks for web and mobile app development. 

**Main features of Dart**

- **Dynamic and Flexible:** JavaScript adapts to different situations and requirements, making it easy to work with and allowing developers to build complex applications with ease.
- **Cross-platform Compatibility:** Supported by all major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, and running on multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS, Javascript is a top choice for many reasons.
- **Client-side Interactivity: **Used to add interactivity to web pages and executed by the client's browser, JavaScript is an ideal choice for client-side scripting.
- **Easy to Learn:** Compared to other programming languages, JavaScript has complete documentation to learn, making it an excellent choice for beginners. 
- **Supports Functional and Object-Oriented Programming:** JavaScript supports both functional and object-oriented programming paradigms, making it a top language used in various contexts.
- **Large Library of Frameworks and Libraries:** A vast collection of frameworks and libraries, including React, Angular, and Vue.js., makes it easy to develop complex applications quickly. 
- **Server-side scripting:** Node.js enables server-side scripting as well, providing developers with a full-stack solution.

 Advantages | Disadvantages
--- | --- | ---
Versatile | Browser inconsistencies
Interactive | Client-side security risks
Easy to learn | Limited back-end capabilities
Interoperability | Dynamic typing
Frameworks and libraries | Debugging Challenges

#### Tools that integrate with Javascript

- Yarn
- Auto0
- Parcel
- ESLint
- Gatsby JS
- Azure Cosmos DB
- Lodash
- Jetpack
- Algolia
- CircleCL

## Dart vs. JavaScript
While Dart and JavaScript are both used for web development, they have some key differences, and that’s why it is hard to define who may be the winner in this “battle.” We will present the differences soon, but let’s focus on other aspects for now. Dart vs. JavaScript: What does it mean for business? What do you need to know as a business owner or an investor planning to develop an app? Or how would the choice impact the project’s success?

- Dart's robustness and scalability make it a better choice for large businesses and complex applications. The static type system and modular architecture make it easier to maintain large codebases and catch errors early in development, saving time and resources. In contrast, JavaScript's dynamic typing can make it harder to maintain larger codebases, leading to increased development costs and reduced productivity.
- JavaScript's browser compatibility makes it the top choice for web development. This means the chances are high for finding relevant expertise at more reasonable rates. It is more of a priority for smaller businesses with limited resources. 
- Dart's AOT (ahead-of-time) compilation and improved performance make it a better choice for building native mobile apps. Its high-performance graphics rendering and cross-platform compatibility make it easier to develop and deploy mobile apps across multiple platforms. On the contrary, JavaScript-based mobile app development can be slower and less efficient due to the limitations of the JavaScript runtime environment.
- JavaScript's extensive community and support make it easier for businesses to find solutions to common problems and access a wealth of knowledge and resources. In contrast, Dart's community and support are still relatively small, which means businesses may have a hard time finding solutions to complex problems or accessing support when needed.

### Dart and JavaScript features

Types | Dart | JavaScript
--- | --- | ---
**Typing** | Statically typed with optional type inference | Dynamically typed
**Compilation** | Compiled ahead-of-time into machine code or JavaScript | Interpreted or just-in-time compiled into machine code
**Syntax** | C-style syntax with some features inspired by JavaScript and other languages | C-style syntax with influences from Java, Python, and other languages
**Libraries** | Comprehensive standard libraries with strong typing and support for asynchronous programming | A rich ecosystem of libraries and frameworks with strong community support
**Tooling** | Powerful integrated development environment (IDE) support with code completion, debugging, and refactoring tools | Wide range of development tools, including IDEs, text editors, and browser dev tools
**Performance** | Can achieve better performance than JavaScript due to ahead-of-time compilation and strong typing | Generally slower than Dart, but a just-in-time compilation and other optimizations can close the performance gap
**Adoption** | Less widely used than JavaScript, but growing in popularity for web and mobile development | Ubiquitous in web development and widely used in many other contexts
**Packages** | Dart packages use Pub | JavaScript packages use npm
**Frameworks** | Flutter, AngularDart, Aqueduct, Angel, and more | React, Angular, Vue, Node.js, and more
**Browser Support** | Limited browser support, mainly for mobile platforms | Supported in all modern browsers
**Garbage Collection** | Generational, precise, and concurrent GC | Mark-and-sweep garbage collection
**Learning Curve** | Relatively steep for beginners | Steep for beginners in some areas, but more forgiving
**Community** | Smaller than JavaScript, but growing | Large, with a long history of community contributions

## Dart vs. Javascript; Conclusion
Even with a clear definition of the Dart and Javascript languages and their features and advantages, it is quite difficult to decide which one is the best match for the next project. The choice depends on several factors:

- Software development agency’s expertise
- Skill availability
- Agency rates
- Development time

Also, following the trends and advancements of both programming languages can help you stay ahead of the trends, and maybe in the future, one of them will have a significant advantage in making a final choice.