JavaScript: Definition and additional resources from ZDNet

A popular scripting language that is widely supported in Web browsers and other Web tools. It adds interactive functions to HTML pages, which are otherwise static, since HTML is a display language, not a programming language. JavaScript is easier to use than Java, but not as powerful and deals mainly with the elements on the Web page. On the client, JavaScript is maintained as source code embedded into an HTML page. On the server, it is compiled into bytecode (intermediate language), similar to Java programs.

JavaScript evolved from Netscape's LiveScript language. First released with Navigator 2.0, it was made more compatible with Java. JavaScript does not have the programming overhead of Java, but can be used in conjunction with it. For example, a JavaScript script could be used to display a data entry form and validate the input, while a Java applet or Java servlet more thoroughly processes the information. JavaScript is also used to tie Java applets together. See JScript, Java, Java applet, servlet and VBScript.

Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia.
Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc.
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Additional Resources

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Remote code execution through Intel CPU bugs: Kris Kaspersky, author of numerous books on reverse engineering and software engineering, will be presenting his research on remote code execution through Intel CPU bugs at the upcoming Hack in the Box Security Conference in Malaysia. If his proof of concept code consisting of JavaScript or TCP/IP packet attacks on...; Tags: CPU, Intel Corp., Processors, Security, Semiconductors, Hardware, Components, Dancho Danchev; Blog posts 2008-07-14
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Spammers announce World War III with spam emails packing malicious payloads: Update: Dancho Danchev informed that this actually relates back to his article on from last week. Apparently I reposted with less information than the original, so I apologize to Dancho for that. Guess that's what I get for poking my nose into the malware realm. Dancho informed...; Tags: Spammer, Video, Iran, Corporate Communications, Media Players, E-mail, Spyware, Adware & Malware, Cyberthreats, Security, Marketing, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Online Communications, Nathan McFeters; Blog posts 2008-07-14
ZZEE PHPExe (exe): Compile PHP, HTML, Javascript and other Web files into Windows GUI programs. Rapidly develop Windows GUI applications by employing the familiar PHP Web paradigm. Share the same code for online and Windows applications with little or no modification. Applications compiled with ZZEE PHPExe look and behave like standard Windows GUI...; Tags: PHP, GUI, Zzee, Microsoft Windows, Scripting Languages, Operating Systems, Software, Software/Web Development, Web Development; Software downloads 2008-07-14
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Komodo IDE (Windows) (msi): Komodo IDE 4 is a powerful, multi-platform, multi-language IDE for end-to-end development of dynamic web applications. Komodo IDE makes creating robust web apps fast and easy, with a rich feature set for client-side Ajax technologies such as CSS, HTML, JavaScript and XML, coupled with advanced support for dynamic languages such...; Tags: Web Application, Microsoft Windows, ActiveState Tool Corp., Komodo IDE 4, Scripting Languages, CSS, AJAX, Cloud Computing, Programming Languages, Development Tools, Software/Web Development, Web Development, Internet, Web 2.0, Software Development; Software downloads 2008-07-04
NoScript vs. Internet Explorer 8 Filters: NoScript plugin writer Giorgio Maone posted a commentary on IE 8's new filters, drawing comparisons to his own widely popular NoScript Firefox plugin. Maone writes: I'm happy to learn that IE8 is going to implement a less ambitious version of a feature which NoScript users have enjoyed for more than one...; Tags: Mozilla Firefox, XSS, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Attack, Maone, Nathan McFeters; Blog posts 2008-07-03
Multiple Facebook vulnerabilities reported on Full-Disclosure: Jouko Pynnonen posted a message to the Full-Disclosure mailing list today, citing multiple "script injection" vulnerabilities within Facebook. I'm not sure if this is a surprise to anybody out there, it's certainly not to me, as numerous web applications have major problems with Cross-site Scripting vulnerabilities, but I think this...; Tags: Facebook, Vulnerability, XSS, JavaScript, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Web Browser, Sandbox, JS, Canvas Page, Web Browsers, Internet, Nathan McFeters; Blog posts 2008-07-02
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Ten ways to tell it's not SOA: Ten ways to tell it's not SOAInteresting listAlso interesting is that I disagree with items 3 and onward.Ways to tell it's SOAIf it it doesn't work, it's SOA.If its a 3 hour lecture with no information content, it's SOAIf it's recommended by non-tech people, then it's SOAIf it's as useful...; Tags: Service-oriented architecture (SOA), Web services, Middleware, Enterprise software, SOA; Discussion threads 2008-07-02
Firefox 2 dirty dozen: Critical vulnerabilities patched: Mozilla has shipped a high-priority update for Firefox 2, warning that there are at least five serious vulnerabilities that could lead to code execution attacks. With Firefox 2.0.0.15, Mozilla fixes at least 12 documented vulnerabilities -- five rated critical -- that could put users at risk...; Tags: Mozilla Firefox 3.0, Mozilla Firefox, Critical Vulnerability, XSS, Mozilla Firefox 2.0, MFSA, Web Browsers, Internet, Ryan Naraine; Blog posts 2008-07-02
Google ships open-source Web security assessment tool: The Google security team has released a free, open-source Web app security assessment tool capable of flagging vulnerabilities and potential security threats in Internet-facing applications. The tool, called Ratproxy, is described as a passive Web application security audit tool designed to analyze legitimate, browser-driven interactions with tested Web...; Tags: Google Inc., Web, Web Application, Web Security, Tool, Google Security Team, Productivity, Open Source, Security, Ryan Naraine; Blog posts 2008-07-01
Komodo Edit (Mac OS X/PowerPC) (dmg): Komodo Edit is a free, open source, multi-platform, multi-language editor for dynamic languages and Ajax technology, including Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby and Tcl; plus support for browser-side code including JavaScript, CSS, HTML and XML. Background syntax checking and syntax coloring catch errors immediately, while autocomplete and calltips guide you as...; Tags: Apple Macintosh, ActiveState Tool Corp., Komodo Edit, Scripting Languages, CSS, AJAX, Programming Languages, Apple Mac OS, Development Tools, Software/Web Development, Web Development, Internet, Web 2.0, Software Development, Operating Systems, Software; Software downloads 2008-07-01
Apple plugs 25 Mac OS X security vulnerabilities: Apple has shipped another Mac OS X monster update to fix a total of 25 documented vulnerabilities that could lead to arbitrary code execution attacks. With Security Update 2008-004, Apple fixes code execution flaws in Launch Services, SMB File Server, System Configuration, VPN and WebKit. ...; Tags: Security, Apple Macintosh, Apple Inc., Arbitrary Code Execution, Small And Medium Business, Apache Tomcat, Application Termination, Apple Mac OS X, Apple Mac OS, Smb/Sme, Operating Systems, Software, Ryan Naraine; Blog posts 2008-06-30