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What is JavaScript and what can it do?| How long does it take to learn javascript?

  • Writer: saurabh sagar
    saurabh sagar
  • Jun 14, 2020
  • 7 min read

Today we will tell you what JavaScript is and why it is used? If you want to become a programmer, then choosing the right language is very important before learning any language. When you search for any information on the Internet, you browse many web pages that are written in a different language. Likewise, why should you use JavaScript despite being a programming language like Python, Java, PHP, C ++?




JavaScript is a powerful scripting language, which is used to create web pages and applications. You should learn it because today as a web technology, about 95% of websites are using it. Almost every web developer says that in the coming time, JavaScript has the highest scope.


In this post, we will give you complete information about it so that you will understand what you need to know to learn it. So let's first know what JavaScript is.




What is javascript?




JavaScript is called JS in the programming language. It is interpreted as a programming language interpreted with object-oriented capabilities. It is also called dynamic computer programming language. Its program is called Script. Using this, you can apply different types of things on web pages. Its scripts can be provided and executed as plain text.


JavaScript is one of the three main technologies of the World Wide Web (WWW), followed by HTML, CSS. All the main websites on the Internet use it. Because it enables an interactive web page, that's why it is used a lot in creating web applications. It is very lightweight due to which JavaScript is used as a major part of the web page nowadays.


Initially, it was named LiveScript, not JavaScript. But after this, Netscape which is a web services company changed its name and today we know it by the name of JavaScript. Many people think Java and JavaScript are the same languages but both are completely different from each other. The reason for their names being the same is that Java was very popular at that time, due to which its name was also kept similar so that people would also consider it the same.


But today JavaScript has become an independent language with its own ECMAScript. Today it can be executed not only in Browser but also in the server. If you want to know what the server is, then read this post.



Some Important Points to Understand JavaScript Definition


1. JavaScript is a client-side scripting language. The source code of which is processed by the server instead of the client's web browser.



2. Using it, you can add HTML to a web page. You can also change the existing content and modify the page style.


3. It was originally developed to add dynamic and interactive elements to websites.


4. It is open and cross-platform which aims to provide a better experience for the user.


5. Just like PHP and ASP, JavaScript code can be inserted anywhere within the Html of a web-page.


6. Cookies can be received with the help of JavaScript and they can also be set. It is also used to ask questions to visitors and perform a massage show.



History (JavaScript)


JavaScript was invented in 1995 by a Netscape communication corporation programmer named Brendan Eich. It took only 10 days to create this scripting language. At that time its initial name was named Mocha, after that, it was changed to LiveScript and finally JavaScript.


Although its official name was given as 'ECMAScript', people still called it JavaScript. It was first used in Netscape browser version 2.0B3 in Dec 1995. Then in 1998 ECMAScript 2 and 3 were released, which is today's modern JavaScript.


Nowadays almost all big websites even Google, Facebook also use JavaScript. Netscape had a strong presence in the youth web at the time. Netscape Communicator, which was NCSA's first browser, became very popular. But later when Microsoft created the internet explorer, its popularity declined significantly.



How long does it take to learn javascript?


You can learn the basics in a few weeks or months.

To achieve the minimum level of programming competence takes at least a year of practice writing programs.



To achieve true proficiency requires much more practice, perhaps several years. The problem is that JavaScript carries a lot of baggage, tons, and tons of “gotchas” and traps that can lead you into dark alleys. It takes lots of studies to understand JavaScript properly – every JavaScript expert will tell you this.


Some Basics of JavaScript


JavaScript Syntax


JS Syntax refers to a set of rules. Which determines how language will be written by a programmer and interpreted by the browser. JavaScript is implemented in a web page using a JavaScript statement placed within the <script> HTML tag.


You can place a script tag anywhere within your web page, but the recommended way is that you keep it within the <head> tag. The purpose of using it is that it alerts the browser program to start interpreting all the text used between these tags as a script.


JavaScript Variables


JavaScript, like many other programming languages, has variables. It is loosely typed, which means that it does not require a data type to be declared. You can specify any type of literal values for the variable. You must declare this before using Variables in a JavaScript program. These are declared with Var Keyword as follows.


JavaScript Operators


These operators are used to specify the values, compare the values, perform arithmetic operations, and more. For example, 2 + 3 = 5. Here 2 and 3 are called operands and the expression ‘+’ is called an operator.


JavaScript supports the following operators


  • Arithmetic operators

  • Comparison operators

  • Assignment operators

  • Conditional operators


JavaScript Functions


It is a block of code that is designed to perform a particular task. This eliminates the need to write code again and again. This helps the programmer to write the module code. Before using any functions, we have to define it. To define a function in JavaScript, we write the keyword before the function, then after writing the function name and parameters list, we close the statement in a curly bracket.


So these were some JavaScript basics and there are many more things in it, which is quite difficult to tell here. Because this post will become very long, that's why we will tell you below how you can learn them.


What is the use of javascript?


JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. Which is used to add automation, animations, and interactivity to web pages. Web developers use JavaScript to make web pages complex. Let's know what you can do using JavaScript.



Web development is one area where JavaScript is used the most. Because it is a Client scripting language, it is used to create web pages. Most websites use it for verification.


JavaScript is also used well in creating web applications. Initially, many programming languages were used for the development of a technology browser and personal computer. But JavaScript took it to the next level. Due to this, such applications were developed that hardly anyone would have thought about.


JavaScript is also used in creating mobile applications. The most important thing that the only JavaScript can do is to create applications without web contexts. With this help, both Android and iOS applications can be made.


This is some area where JavaScript is used more. Apart from this, it is also used in making Games and Server applications. There are many other things that can do this, but this is an important area.


How to learn javascript?


Most people say JavaScript is very difficult to learn, it is also fine to some extent. But if you do not hurry to learn it, instead try to understand it first. So you will not have any problem with learning it. Below are some instructions that will help you learn JavaScript.




An essential tool for learning JavaScript


Code editor - The first and most important tool is a code editor in which you can use Notepad ++ or Atom. It is absolutely free tool.


Web browser - You will definitely have a browser in your PC or laptop because with the help of this we will be able to access the web pages created. Better if you use Chrome, Mozilla, or Firefox. Remember to update the latest version of your browser.


Firebug tool - This is a web browser extension with the help of which you can do live debugging of HTML, CSS, DOM, XHR, and JavaScript of any web page or website. If you use Firefox, then you have to install it directly from google and if you use a chrome browser, then it is already available in it.


To use it in Chrome you have to right-click with the mouse. After which you will see an option to inspect, as soon as you click on it, the entire coding of the existing page will appear.


Resource for learning JavaScript


To learn this programming language, you should know some resources from where you can easily start learning JavaScript. You can also use many paid resources to learn this. But I will tell you about some online websites which are absolutely free and on them, you are given a complete guide for JavaScript.


Below are the names of five websites from where you can easily learn JavaScript:


Apart from this, you can also learn JavaScript through YouTube videos.


Some Advantage of JavaScript


By now you must have understood "what is JavaScript" and why it is used. So, let's now tell you some of its benefits, due to which you should learn it.


Let's know what are some of the main advantages of JavaScript.


1) JavaScript is a very fast programming language, it can be run immediately in the client-side browser. Unless external resources are required, JavaScript is not used by Network calls on the backend server. It does not even need to be compiled on the client-side, which is why it gets faster speed. Due to its client-side, the demand for sever reduces. Which causes the server to load quickly.


2) It is used everywhere. There are many free websites and tools available for learning JavaScript so that you do not have any problem in learning and implementing it.


3) It can be used with Html, CSS, PHP, C ++, or any other language. JavaScript can be inserted into any web page regardless of the file extension.


4) It supports all browsers and gives the same result in all. JavaScript syntax is very easy and flexible.


5) Due to its Event-based language, many code segments are executed when a certain event occurs in JavaScript. I understood in easy language, a code section is executed when the user clicks on the button or moves the mouse over the object.


Although it has many more benefits, there are so many benefits to a programmer. So hopefully, you must have understood why JavaScript is called future programming languages.


Conclusion


So, friends, you know what JavaScript is and how to learn JavaScript? Hopefully, by reading this article you will have fully understood what is the use of JavaScript and why it is important to learn it to become a developer? If you have had difficulty in understanding any topic on this post, then you can ask your question in the comment. Your question will be answered immediately.


 
 
 

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