About JavaScript¶
“JavaScript is the only language that I’m aware of that people feel they don’t need to learn before they start using it.” – Douglas Crockford
What’s JavaScript?¶
JavaScript is a text-based programming language used on both the client-side and server-side.This allows programmers to make web pages interactive. Whereas HTML and CSS are languages that give structure and style to web pages, JavaScript is what gives web pages the ability to engage with a user. The language conceived in 1995 by programmer Brendan Eich.
JavaScript is free and open source, with development coordinated through the OpenJS Foundation.
JavaScript has experienced rapid adoption in the last decade and is now one of the most commonly used programming languages with about .
Popular textbooks on JavaScript programming that you might be interested in include [] and [].
Common Uses¶
JavaScript is a general-purpose language but has a s of recently been used as a scripting language used in: such as
Web development
Web servers
Mobile applications
Games development
Presentations and slideshows etc.
JavaScript is a versatile beginner-friendly and routinely used to teach computer science and programming in top computer science programs, fter.
Python is particularly popular within the scientific and data science communities.
Relative Popularity¶
The following chart, produced using Stack Overflow Trends, shows one measure of the relative popularity of JavaScript
The figure indicates not only that JavaScript is most popular language but that it is widely used by professionals.
For the past 8 years straight JavaScript has unfailingly been the most c ommonly used programming language.
Overall, it’s clear that
JavaScript is not only one of the most popular programming languages worldwide, but it is consistently in one of the Top5 high level languages..
JavaScript is one of the language of choice for professionals.
Features¶
JavaScript is a high-level language suitable for many development jobs.
As a multi-paradigm language it allows for different programming styles(event-driven, functional, and imperative programming styles etc.)
JavaScript is interpreted rather than compiled.
Syntax and Design¶
One nice feature of JavaScript is its prevalent uses of modules. In JavaScript they are the most prevalently used design patterns for keeping particular pieces of code independent of other components. This provides loose coupling to support well-structured code. This is good news for those that are familiar with object-oriented languages. Simply modules are JavaScript “classes”.
In JavaScript, the first character must be a letter, or an underscore (_), or a dollar sign ($). Subsequent characters may be letters, digits, underscores, or dollar signs. Numbers are not allowed as the first character. This way JavaScript can easily distinguish identifiers from numbers.
Web Development¶
JavaScript is popular for development of web applications..
It is the major player in the following aspects, as illustrated on the given link