Client-side scripting comparison:\nIs VBScript fundamentally similar to JavaScript for web development, or are they distinct languages with different syntax and engines?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Incorrect

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The question checks whether VBScript and JavaScript are meaningfully “similar.” Understanding their differences matters for legacy application maintenance and standards-based web development.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • VBScript derives from Visual Basic syntax and historically ran primarily in Internet Explorer.
  • JavaScript implements the ECMAScript standard and runs across all modern browsers and many runtimes.
  • Modern web development emphasizes cross-browser, standards-based code.



Concept / Approach:
JavaScript and VBScript are distinct languages: they use different syntaxes, object models, and runtime engines. JavaScript is ubiquitous and standardized; VBScript was vendor-specific and is not supported by modern browsers. While both are scripting languages, calling them “similar” suggests interchangeability, which is false in practice and design.



Step-by-Step Solution:
Compare syntax: JavaScript uses C-like syntax; VBScript uses Basic-like syntax.Compare availability: JavaScript runs on all modern browsers; VBScript was limited to IE and deprecated.Compare standards: JavaScript follows ECMAScript; VBScript lacks a cross-vendor standard.Conclude they are not fundamentally similar or interchangeable.



Verification / Alternative check:
Attempt to run VBScript in a modern Chromium- or Firefox-based browser; it will not execute. JavaScript executes natively.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“Correct” overstates similarity. “Identical on IE only” is still wrong—languages remained different even where both could run. File extensions do not determine language equivalence.



Common Pitfalls:
Assuming all “scripting languages” are similar; ignoring the security and compatibility issues of VBScript.



Final Answer:
Incorrect

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