JavaScript

JavaScript is a popular computer programming language that enables developers to make website pages interactive and dynamic, enhancing the user experience on the internet. Brendan Eich created JavaScript in 1995, which has since become vital for modern web development.

JavaScript is a high-level, versatile programming language primarily used for client-side web development.

Although it shares its name with Java, it is an entirely different language with a different syntax and use case.

Standard Browser Component

JavaScript enables “interactivity” on web pages, so they can respond to user actions, such as clicking buttons or scrolling, making websites more engaging and user-friendly.

All leading web browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge, support JavaScript, so you don’t need to install additional software to use JavaScript on websites.  

JavaScript Evolution

JavaScript has evolved significantly since its inception, with multiple versions and significant improvements added over time. The most notable updates come from ECMAScript (ES) specifications.   

ECMAScript is the standard that defines the scripting language, and JavaScript is an implementation of that standard. ES6, or ECMAScript 2015, introduced many new features, such as arrow functions, classes, and promises, modernizing JavaScript and improving its efficiency.  

Some Technical Details

1. JavaScript is an interpreted language, meaning the code is executed directly by the browser or a JavaScript engine. Interpreted languages can run programs directly without first completing a compilation step. 
2. JavaScript is a so-called “dynamically typed” language, meaning that variables can hold values of any data type without first defining their type beforehand.
3. JavaScript supports object-oriented programming (OOP) with prototype-based inheritance instead of the more common class-based inheritance of languages like Java or C++.
4. JavaScript is an event-driven language that can respond to user interactions through event handlers and callback functions like clicks or key presses.  

Now also Server-side

In recent years, JavaScript has expanded beyond client-side web development to server-side development through Node.js, a JavaScript runtime environment built on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine.

With the ability to support both frontend and backend applications with a single language, a developer can use JavaScript for full-stack development.  

For the Developer

JavaScript is considered beginner-friendly and easy to learn, as its syntax is relatively simple and resembles everyday English.

In addition, JavaScript can perform a wide range of tasks, from simple tasks like displaying a pop-up message to complex tasks like creating animations or validating user inputs in forms.  

JavaScript’s popularity has led to the development of numerous online resources, libraries, and frameworks that help beginners and experienced developers create web applications more efficiently.

These include tools such as jQuery, Angular, React, and Vue.js to simplify everyday tasks and streamline the development process.   

Conclusion

Overall, JavaScript is a widely used and versatile programming language that plays a significant role in making the Internet more interactive and user-friendly.

What is JavaScript? – 5 mins