If you’re reading this post, it’s because you’ve fallen in love with programming and haven’t generated a single line of code yet. Don’t worry; you’re in good hands!
JavaScript is one of the ideal programming languages for those new to web development and looking to learn the basics. With JavaScript and a text editor, you can create your first code and say ” Hello, world ” in your web browser.
In this article, I’ll show you what JavaScript is and how it can help you break down the barriers to learning programming, so you can kick-start your career as a web developer. Finally, you’ll learn how to write your first code. Yes! Your first code !
About the history of JavaScript
Before going into detail and understanding what JavaScript is, it’s important to understand a little about the origins of this language. With the growth of the Internet in the early 1990s, Netscape felt the need to improve user interaction with the web pages of its browser, which bore the same name. So, it created LiveScript: a simple language that allowed scripts contained within the software itself to be executed .
This language was quickly gaining ground in the application development sector; later, Netscape signed an agreement with Sun Microsystems (purchased by america phone number list Oracle in 2010) to promote its use.
Microsoft also adapted its Internet Explorer browser to support this script and created its own version: JScript . This generated some controversy in the web development world. For this reason, Netscape executives decided to standardize the Javascript language and submitted the specifications to the ECMA ( European Computer Manufacturers Association ), an organization that standardized the language completely independent of any company.
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages for web development, executed on the client side (this expression means that the scripts or programs are executed in the user’s browser), and works as an extension of the HTML code .
Because it’s an interpreted language, it doesn’t require compilation and, therefore, doesn’t use server resources. JavaScript is a language that supports 10 golden rules for b2b online marketing managers object-oriented programming. Although it doesn’t natively support several object-oriented features, some emulations are possible.
It’s very important to remember that JavaScript is not the same as Java ; its syntax is different and requires a compiler for the browser to interpret it. JavaScript, on the other hand, has its own script that it interprets itself.
The developer’s script will be sent along with the HTML to the browser, which, upon reading it, will differentiate the HTML code using the <script> tag.
What do I need to know to learn JavaScript?
To get started with JavaScript , you don’t need much prior programming knowledge. However, you should have basic computer skills, as well as an understanding of HTML and CSS code .
First and foremost, you need to learn to think like a developer . To do this, you need to know what programming syntax is and how to apply it to your code.
Programming syntax
Just as when you write a text, you use a certain set of rules such as commas, periods, accents, question marks, exclamation points, etc. In programming, there are also a series of rules that regulate different variables. Without this syntax, the codes you create won’t work.
Learning to program involves providing the computer and programs with instructions to execute activities sequentially and logically, in order to carry out proposed actions. Therefore, analytical skills are essential for developers, as they need them to analyze problems from different angles and in greater depth.
Now that you know a little more about JavaScript, I’ll tell you some of the terms you’ll need to know to understand web development and start programming in JavaScript:
- HTML: Hypertext Markup Language is a language oriented toward website development . The beginning of HTML code is marked with the <HTML> tag.
- CSS: CSS stands for “Cascading Style Sheets.” Its function is to define the presentation (appearance) of elements on a website.
- PHP: PHP stands for “Hypertext egypt data Preprocessor.” It’s an open-source, server-side language that creates user interaction with websites through forms, URL parameters, and links.
- JavaScript (in short): Also known by its initials JS, its main function is to add interactions to websites. Through scripts executed in the user’s browser, JS provides advanced functions in applications by connecting to libraries. It can be found in the middle of HTML code, using the <script> tag .
What are the advantages and disadvantages of JavaScript?
It’s a fact that all programming languages have their strengths and weaknesses. And with JS, it’s no different. But with a little care, you can build more secure scripts .
To help you learn a little more about JavaScript, we’ve listed the main advantages and disadvantages you should consider. Let’s take a look: