5 Reasons to Learn Javascript This Year
From coffee makers to drones, processors are turning up in an increasing number of items beyond desktop computers, and this makes programming more valuable than ever. JavaScript has often been touted as a good programming language for beginners to get a grasp of the basics with, but it’s actually powerful enough to handle more than just simple tasks. There are five good reasons to make it your primary choice that include a ubiquitous presence on the web, a growing presence elsewhere, ease of learning, plenty of enthusiasts, and good job prospects.
JavaScript’s Vital to the Internet
JavaScript stands out among programming languages by being specifically designed for Internet use. To get an idea, just look at such interactive features available on websites like entry forms or popup messages. These images can be created with other languages, but it requires a lot of code to produce the various components involved. With JavaScript, simple commands like alert and confirm generate complete objects. Additionally, JavaScript is embedded in all the common web browsers in order to create an instantaneous experience for the user of a web page. Otherwise, everything from animations included with the page to the entering of information would be slowed considerably as each update is passed to and from the server. JavaScript works in these situations by being loaded once with the initial HTML/CSS code needed to generate the web page. However, unlike HTML/CSS tags, there is no software that allows someone to create HTML/CSS code without actually knowing the language. There’s no substitute for learning JavaScript. Also, with the introduction of tools like node.js, JavaScript is becoming increasingly important behind the scenes as a server-based language handling incoming traffic from web surfers everywhere. With both client and server programs written in the same language, a programmer can produce a smooth flow between them. As an intrinsic part of Internet programming, JavaScript should be around a very long time.
Popularity Beyond the Internet
As the previous mentioning of JavaScript’s use as a back-end programming language implies, this language has grown in complexity and capabilities. When JavaScript was first introduced, it was devoted to the job of gifting websites with quick interactivity. The result was a rather threadbare language with fewer abilities than other existing languages like Java, C, or Python. Since then, JavaScript has added commands that bring it up to the level of these competitors while still maintaining a simple structure. This has made it attractive for uses outside the Internet. With the rise of smartphones, a growing number of apps are being written for them in JavaScript. Most current apps for Android phones are created in Java, but these won’t work on iPhones. Most iPhone apps are written in Objective-C or Swift, and these don’t work on Android phones. Since JavaScript is embedded in browsers that work on either phone. JavaScript phone apps can perform offline functions like collecting information from the phone’s gyroscope or activating the phone’s camera. JavaScript is also turning up in more software packages like Adobe Illustrator where it operates as a scripting language that allows the user to customize and streamline tasks. Finally, JavaScript in the form of Node.js is a favorite among languages used in the fledgling Internet of Things.
Easy to Learn
Many factors make JavaScript an easy language to master. First, it’s a highly abstracted language. In plain English, this means it’s closer to, well, English than it is to the machine language directly understood by computer processors. JavaScript is also strictly object-oriented. With object-oriented languages, distinct lines of code that can be reused emulate the actions of any sort of object. This is easier to follow than a language like C that doesn’t use this method. Helping with this, JavaScript is an interpreted language that doesn’t require the entire program to be compiled in order to test it for errors. The use of an interpreter allows the program to be quickly tested at any point during its development. Of course, one thing that makes learning a language easy is unfettered access to the interpreter. Everything needed to write and test a JavaScript program is inside any major web browser. You can start right now.
Community Support
It’s not completely certain, but JavaScript is either one of the most popular programming languages around if not the most popular one. With this kind of following, there’s a massive amount of help available online. If you’re having trouble getting an app to work or you can’t completely grasp the concept behind a command, there are sites like StackOverflow where other members can answer your questions. In addition, this level of interest guarantees a ballooning number of libraries that offer solutions to problems you’ll run into while putting together your own projects.
Employment Opportunities
With JavaScript being utilized in so many different outlets to such a huge extent, there’s plenty of demand for programmers skilled in this language. Just the continued growth in websites ensures more work for JavaScript programmers. In fact, jobs like programming and software development are among the fastest growing areas in the economy. These careers are often described as pulling in a median salary of approximately $91,000, but keep in mind that jobs in this pay range require extensive knowledge of JavaScript along with familiarity of other languages, math skills, and technical writing skills among other things. Still, there are plenty of opportunities at all levels of understanding. The work is also fairly dispersed around the country despite the impression that it’s all concentrated in Silicon Valley. It should finally be noted that if you have a few ideas for apps, you can put your JavaScript know-how to use without seeking out an employer.
Learn more about learning JavaScript at DevMountain’s coding bootcamp.
