Welcome to the first step in this colorful journey of coding! Today, we will go over one of the most powerful languages in web development: JavaScript. If you want to get into web development or simply interested in knowing what runs the websites you use every day, knowledge of JavaScript is absolutely necessary for you! So let’s break it down together.
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is a programming language often shortened to JS. JS was created in 1995 by Brendan Eich, who at that time was an engineer working at Netscape. The JavaScript itself is basically used to activate web pages to have more interaction and become more dynamic. A language initially developed only for browsers has matured to become something far beyond its origins.
In the web development world, JavaScript is the king. It belongs to the trio of the most important technologies making up the World Wide Web; the remaining two are HTML and CSS. The following is basically what each of these technologies deals with:
HTML, or HyperText Markup Language, deals with the backbone. It supplies the structure of web pages.
CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, deals with presentation. It dictates how websites look.
JavaScript brings the whole thing to life. It deals with the behavior of the different elements of the webpage.
What makes the JavaScript stand out among other languages is the possibility to run it not only on the server-side -back-end- but also in a user’s browser- front-end. This flexibility allows developers to create unique, smooth experiences capable of responding to the user interaction without the need for reloading the page.
Why JavaScript Is So Well-Liked
The reasons for popularity derive from several factors that make this language ubiquitous in today’s web development world. These are:
- Universality
Every modern web browser on desktop, laptop, or mobile device supports JavaScript- no plugins are needed. This universality also provides a lot of predictability because a developer can create a website with JavaScript and reasonably expect it to work without modification anywhere. In a way, it is providing universal behavior regardless of the platform in which its application is being accessed. - Flexibility
JavaScript is very flexible. The scope of using JavaScript ranges from tiny scripts, which may inform a user of something, to giant applications, which can be games or applications showing live data visualizations. JavaScript frameworks and libraries such as React, Angular, and Vue.js enhance the ability and allow doing complex front-end applications and even mobile apps. - Ease of Learning
JavaScript is comparatively easy to get started with most of the time for most beginners. While it has its weirdness, it is quick to grasp the basics, and since it is an integral part of HTML and CSS, it gives instant visual feedback, which can be quite satisfying and encouraging for the new programmer. - Thriving Community
javascript. Moreover, as it is in such widespread use over the internet, you can find numerous free resources to learn from: tutorials and forums, full-fledged courses, and books. Moreover, because of mainstream popularity, there are a lot of open-source projects and third-party tools useful for speeding up development and solving everyday issues. - Constant Evolution
JavaScript always evolves. The core gets updated by new features, by extensions that ensure keeping pace with this evolution-technological changes. This further development ensures that the power and the relevance will be there to handle the loads of the needs generated in modern web development.
Conclusion
JavaScript is not only a programming language: it is a means that has fundamentally shaped the World Wide Web. It has found a place for the heart of both front-end and back-end development due to its capability of adaptation and evolving with the Web. Whether you are willing to create interactive web applications, application software, or just improve user experience, JavaScript can work with you because of its tools and community support provisions.
Ready to get started with JavaScript? In the next tutorials, be on the lookout for how to get started and best implementation practices.
