JavaScript: What, How, Why and Where
Html, CSS, C and a lot of other computer languages have been a part of the web developing world for a long time. The developers use them to write functional algorithms, create frameworks, add visuals, and a lot of other words.
However, the Website you design using these languages is not much user-interactive and definitely not very lively. For this purpose, you will need a client-side language, JavaScript. The language will let you control the behavior of your page; add response buttons, and more.
So, in this article, we will guide the beginner programmers about this language. The post will tell you about the history of JavaScript, its basics, present status, and all the other aspects that you may need to know.
Introduction to JavaScript
The internet users who are not familiar with the programming world or are new to it often relate it to Java. However, Java and JavaScript are two completely different languages. Java is a very complex programming language, but JavaScript is a scripting language whose main syntax comes from C language.
JavaScript or JS for short is a dynamic programming language developed by the founder of Mozilla, Brendon Eich. Akram Artoul and his team refer it as multi-platform scripting that is required for adding event driver functionalities and imperative properties to a website. It has API which enables you to work text, array, regular expressions, Dom, and any other aspect of a website.
Get Started With JavaScript
JavaScripting is a scripting language, which means it doesn’t have any I/O. There is no networking storage or graphics facilities, so you cannot use it directly. Usually, it depends on the browser for working.
As for coding purposes, you will need a web browser, text editor, or an HTML editor to write the JavaScript.
Using Notepad
Akram Artoul, CEO of SiteSonic, says that at a beginner level, the best and the most straightforward option for JavaScript writing is to use Notepad. You can save this code in .HTML and format and then use your web browser to open it. There is no need for compiling so you don’t have to worry about buying any software or compiler. All you have to make sure is that you add <script> before the text and </script> after the code.
Here’s an example of a simple Notepad based JavaScript code for creating a popup window with a plain message. Have a look:
<script>
window.alert(“Click Here To Proceed”);
</script>
Using HTML
If you not comfortable with the Notepad and need software for it, you can look for an open source HTML editor. Here are 3 HTML editors that you can use.
· Microsoft Frontpage
· Macromedia Dreamweaver MX
· Macromedia HomeSite
Once you have installed the editor, you can continue with the code. The code will start with the standard tags of the HTML, but with a script tags to import JavaScript functionality. Here’s an example of HTML code that will show a popup along with a small text on the screen.
<html>
<head>
<title>My First JavaScript code!!!</title>
<script type=”text/javascript”>
alert(“Hello World!”);
</script>
</head>
<body>
Welcome To JavaScript
</body>
</html>
Using Browser Console
The third way to getting started with the JavaScript is the building console of your browser. SiteSonic CEO, Akram Artoul and his team reveal that you can open it by pressing CTRL+Shift+J on Google Chrome.
It will be F12 for Microsoft Edge and CTRL+Shift+K for Firefox. In the case of Safari, you will have to enable developer mode by changing the preferences in the tool menu and then press Option+CTRL+C.
As for the codes, let’s take the example of the classic hello world example. You can create a popup with this text using alert (“Hello World”); or simply create a message in the console, use console.log (“Hello World”); command.
In case you want to take a step ahead, here is a program that you can create;
let name= prompt(“What is your name?”);
alert(“Welcome,” +name + “!”);
Write this code in the console, and it will create a two-step popup. In the first step, it will ask for a name, and in the second, it will greet you using the name.
These programs are elementary, but they will give you a basic idea of the functionality of JavaScript. Once you are sure of it, you can proceed with more interesting command and perhaps more complicated operations.
Why a Programmer Should Learn JavaScript?
Javascript has grown up as one of the most vital components of websites. Almost every popular Website out there is using it to enhance user-friendliness and web interactivity. The expert like Akram Artoul says that if you want to grow in Web developing world, you cannot skip this language at any cost.
Some of the other reasons to choose it are as following:
· Doesn’t need any specific software
· It’s a high-level language which doesn’t require detailed knowledge of machine
· It can works from a web browser without setting up a development environment
· JavaScript is a part of almost every known Web Browser
· There is a considerable demand for JavaScript programmers
· You can design Games with JavaScript
· You can add visual effect in Website using JavaScript
· Can generate immediate feedback to the visitors
Where Is JavaScript Today?
The ISO/IEC16262 created standardization for JavaScript to foster multiple international implementations. It’s known as the ECMA Script or the ES scripting language. The first version of this script appeared during 1997, and the editorial version appeared in 1998.
The latest version of ECMA came into light, is ECMAScript 2018.
The Final Words
JavaScript is a widely accepted language for developing high-end visuals and other interactive stuff for websites. It can help you make the Website more appealing, user-friendly, and efficient.
According to Akram Artoul and his team at SiteSonic, JavaScript is the language that opens a wide range of opportunities to attain better engagement rates at a website. It can offer the clients with an interface that seems familiar to them and the developers with the flexibility they need.
SiteSonic, see this script as a very active part of their Website and also promote its usage in beginner programmers. They can provide you will all kind of resources like frameworks, codes, and other stuff that you will need for creating Website and also guide you with integrating the WebPages with JavaScript.
