Netscape and Microsoft have developed separate scripting languages for the Web: JavaScript and VBScript. Navigator supports only JavaScript, while Explorer supports both JavaScript and VBScript.
Scripts created for the Web can be used to create form pages which validate and calculate user information before returning it to the Web server, run simple macro-like programs, and create more interactive and dynamic pages.Both JavaScript and VBScript are prevented from direct memory access or file I/O. This limitation is called "sandboxing," and it is designed to prevent JavaScripts and VBScripts from damaging users' files or applications. However, both JavaScripts and VBScripts can communicate with Java applets or ActiveX controls.
JavaScript:
The scripting language JavaScript was developed by Netscape and is not directly related
to Sun Microsystem's programming language, Java, although they are often confused.
JavaScript was originally called "LiveScript" and was renamed "JavaScript" only after
Java became popular.
If a Web page contains a JavaScript, the script code usually can be seen by viewing the raw HTML of the page. This allows you to view and learn from other people's JavaScripts, but it also allows other people to view and perhaps copy scripts that you have developed for your site and use them on their own site. This would be as much a violation of copyright law as if they copied your web graphics or text.
VBScript:
VBScript is a scripting language based on a subset of Microsoft's
VisualBasic for Applications. The syntax for VBScript is similar to Basic. Like
JavaScript; VBScripts are embedded within the HTML page, and are viewable via the
raw HTML.
In Summary:
JavaScript has the advantage of being cross-platform, while VBScript is
currently limited to those users of Microsoft Explorer 3.0 and Windows95 or
WindowsNT. VBScript has the advantage of being similar to Visual Basic
with which a large number of in-house programmers are already familiar.
Users who are interested in writing browser scripts should view some of the
sites below for more information.
Articles on JavaScript and VBScript:
PC Magazine [10.8.96]: Inside the Netscape Navigator Platform
PC Magazine [11.5.96]: Inside the ActiveX Platform (with comments on VB Script)