Java & Javascript Lion

[Rowf]

This is on a clean install of Lion but it's not really a Lion question, more of an attempt at understanding Java and Javascript.

So, Lion is shipped without Java but in Launchpad there is a Java Preference panel.
If I click on the preference panel it gives me the option to install Java, which I have not done.
Thinking that Java is not installed, so I don't need the Java boxes ticked in Safari, I unticked both of them.
Then I went to a television streaming site and a message popped up saying that I need Javascript enabled to stream.
I ticked the box to enable Javascript in Safari and the site streamed fine.

So how does the browser 'read' Javascript if Java is not installed, I thought it was all one and the same?

Do I need to install Java?
I haven't experienced any problems without it so I'm guessing not but I always had it installed as a matter of course on Windows.

 

[stomer]

Javascript and Java have nothing to do with each other. The two are completely different languages and technologies.

Javascript runtimes are built-in to most broswers. Unlike Java which relies on browser plugins.

Most end users have no need whatsoever for Java. Whereas Javascript is required by the vast majority of websites.