What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is a lightweight, interpreted, object oriented, Multi paradigm and flexible programming language. JavaScript was initially created to make web pages interactive. JavaScript can update and change both HTML and CSS. JavaScript can calculate, manipulate and validate data. The programs in this language are called scripts. Scripts are plain text and they don’t need any special preparation to run. When JavaScript was created, it initially had another name, i.e. “LiveScript”. But Java was very popular at that time, so it was named “JavaScript”. But as it evolved, JavaScript became a fully independent language with its own specification and it has no relation to Java at all. It can be used on both the front-end and the back-end. JavaScript is very easy to implement because it is integrated with HTML. JavaScript converts a static web page into an interactive one. In other words, JavaScript adds behavior to web pages. Common examples of JavaScript include Facebook timeline automatically updates on your screen, Google suggests search terms based on a few letters you’ve typed in the search box, Show or hide more information with the click of a button, Change the color of a button when the mouse hovers over it, etc.
JavaScript includes various Libraries and frameworks . JavaScript frameworks are collections of JavaScript code libraries that provide developers with pre-written code to use for programming features and tasks. Popular JavaScript front-end frameworks include React, React Native, Angular, and Vue.
Why to Learn Javascript?
Here are some reasons to learn JavaScript:
- JavaScript is beginner friendly − It comes installed on every modern web browser and so to learn JavaScript you really do not need any special environment setup. For example Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and every browser that supports JavaScript.
- Easy to learn and Reduces time − JavaScript helps you create really beautiful and fast websites. JavaScript has tons of frameworks and Libraries already developed which can be used directly in your software development to reduce your time.
- Versatile Programming language − It helps you developing great front-end as well as back-end software’s using different JavaScript based frameworks like jQuery, Node.JS etc. JavaScript usage has now extended to mobile app development, desktop app development, and game development. This opens many opportunities for you as JavaScript Programmer.
- Great Career Opportunities − Due to high demand, there is tons of job growth and high pay for those who know JavaScript
Why is JavaScript Important in Front End Development?
JavaScript is a scripting language that’s inserted directly in the HTML code to be interpreted by the browser. It means that a browsers can read JavaScript, interpret it and then run the program, creating powerful client-side experiences. For example, you might use JavaScript to check if the user has entered a valid e-mail address in a form field, you may click a checkbox on a form, and, depending on the checkbox selected, it loads a pop-up that asks you another question. It gives the site additional functionality that isn’t otherwise achievable with HTML and CSS alone.
Advantages of JavaScript
- Less server interaction − You can validate user input before sending the page off to the server. This saves server traffic, which means less load on your server.
- Interoperability − JavaScript is widely supported and can be applied to any webpage. Other scripting languages are far less flexible. Many different programming languages, like Pearl and PHP, support JavaScript too.
- Immediate feedback to the visitors − They don’t have to wait for a page reload to see if they have forgotten to enter something.
- Variability − JavaScript has an abundance of libraries and frameworks: AngularJS, ReactJS, SvelteJS, and others. This versatility allows developers to build a variety of app types with distinctive attributes.
- Increased interactivity − You can create interfaces that react when the user hovers over them with a mouse or activates them via the keyboard.
- Richer interfaces − You can use JavaScript to include such items as drag-and-drop components and sliders to give a Rich Interface to your site visitors.
Uses of JavaScript
1. Adding interactive behavior to web pages
JavaScript allows users to interact with web pages. It allows us to add dynamic behavior to the webpage and add special effects to the webpage. Here are few examples of things you can do with JavaScript on a web page:
- Show or hide more information with the click of a button
- Change the color of a button when the mouse hovers over it
- Zooming in or zooming out on an image
- Playing audio and video in a web page
- Using a drop-down menu.
2. Creating web and mobile apps
Developers can use various JavaScript frameworks for developing web and mobile apps. The React Native is the widely used JavaScript framework for creating mobile applications. Angular.js and Vue.js are popular JavaScript frameworks for creating web applications. Examples include LinkedIn, Netflix, and Uber.
3. Game development
You can also use JavaScript to create browser games. It has various libraries and frameworks for creating a game. The game can either be a 2D or 3D. Some JavaScript game engines such as PhysicsJS, Pixi.js help us to create a web game. JavaScript and HTML5 are a favored combo for creating games on the web.
4. Client side validation
It is really important to verify any user input before submitting it to the server and JavaScript plays an important role in validating those inputs at front-end itself.
5. Manipulating HTML webpages
JavaScript helps in manipulating HTML page. This helps in adding and deleting any HTML tag very easily using JavaScript and modify your HTML to change its look and feel based on different devices and requirements.
6. Creating Presentations
JavaScript also provides the facility of creating presentations as a website . JavaScript provides RevealJS and BespokeJS libraries to build a web-based slide presentations. RevealJS enables anyone to create fully featured and beautiful presentations for free. The BespokeJS is a framework that supplies rich properties such as scaling, animated bullets, and syntax highlighting.
7. User Notifications
You can use Javascript to raise dynamic pop-ups on the webpages to give different types of notifications to your website visitors.
8. Back End data loading
Javascript provides Ajax library which helps in loading back-end data while you are doing some other processing. This really gives an amazing experience to your website visitors.
9. Server Applications
A large number of web applications have a server-side to them. JavaScript is used to generate content and handle HTTP requests. The Node.js provides an environment containing the necessary tools required for JavaScript to run on servers.
Conclusion
JavaScript is, first-and-foremost, a web development technology, but it is so much more than that. It is not that hard to learn and it is very versatile. It plays nicely with other web technologies — such as HTML and CSS. You can use JavaScript to develop front end and back end web applications. JavaScript is often used to build simple browser games. You can also use JavaScript to create mobile apps.
JavaScript is a popular language. It is often used in combination with third-party frameworks like React, Node.JS, Vue, Angular, and other tools. These tools provide a number of pre-built functions that extend the usage of the JavaScript framework.
If you’re interested in web development, JavaScript is definitely a skill you should learn!
