Which One's the Bad Guy- Java or JavaScript?

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Good Day All!
I've searched & searched for the answer to a puzzlement and managed to get quite confused.

Is Java safe to have on the Mac running OS X 10.6.8? Should it be disabled in the operating system and the browsers, just the browsers or neither one?

Is JavaScript safe to have on the Mac. Should it be disabled?

I do have one program that requires Java to run (CrashPlan). I'd also assume lots of web sites need one or the other.

I apologize for asking a basic questions, but my searching revealed answers ranging from "It's All Good- No Worries" to "The Bad Guys Are Going To Get You If You Have Either".

I this forum, search results for JavaScript came up empty and for Java, too. But, I know they must be here somewhere.

This is the place for real & knowledgeable answers, so here I am!
Thanks Very Much!
Paul
 
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Thank You Harryb2448.
That is an interesting article. Java Preferences.app on my computer shows 1 .6.0_65-b14-46A in both 32 and 64 bit versions.

The article addresses 1.6.0_37
So, based on the article, am I correct that it's OK to leave Java enabled?
Thanks Again,
Paul
 

vansmith

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My advice - if you don't need Java, disable it. It doesn't create a gaping hole on your machine or anything but disabling it does add a tiny bit more security.

As for JavaScript, you don't have it "on your Mac" per se - the runtimes are built into applications (primarily web browsers). You can disable each browser's JavaScript execution if you want but if you do, you're going to have a bad time on the web. For example, this page loads 22 external JavaScript files not to mention the JS built into the page itself.
 
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Thank You

Thanks VanSmith for your reply.

Your words explained what's what & who's who quite thoroughly, thus clearing up my confusion.

I appreciate your help and your help, HarryB2448. I learned quite a bit today. It is always a good day when something is learned.

Enjoy Today!
Paul
 
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java vs javascript

While the two have similar in names , both are two totally different programming languages. Java is a full featured, all purpose, programming language that is mainly used in server side, mobile development and also run in browsers. To compile java based programs you need JDK+JRE set up in your computer. Since java is pure object oriented programming language everything you do is under a class. It follows very strict typing and enforces casting of references. More about...Java and Javascript

Anto
 
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I think he got it this thread is three years old.
 
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Thanks Anto for the interesting information!
Paul
 

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