What is the difference between server-side and client-side JavaScript?
Client-side JS runs in the browser with the DOM and a sandbox. Server-side JS runs on the server with Node.js, with file system, network, and database access. They share the language but differ in environment, APIs, and security model.
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More FAQs in Server-Side JavaScript vs Client-Side JavaScript: What's the Difference?
Yes. The JavaScript language is the same: functions, closures, promises, objects, arrays. The syntax and core features are identical. The difference is the environment and the available APIs, not the language itself.
Server-side JS has the file system (fs), network (http), databases, process control, and full system access. Client-side JS has the DOM, fetch, localStorage, and a sandboxed environment. The available APIs are environment-specific.
Client-side JS runs in a sandbox for the user's safety, with limited access. Server-side JS has full system access and must be secured by the developer, since a vulnerability can expose the server, files, and databases. This is a fundamental difference in trust.
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