JavaScript
We encounter JavaScript on the World Wide Web more than most would imagine. JavaScript is considered to be one of the three core web technologies alongside HTML and CSS. Although it is easy to mistake, JavaScript is not the same thing as Java, Java has static typing and strong type checking, which JavaScript does not have. JavaScript, which is often abbreviated as JS, is a complex scripting language that allows users to create amazing interactive web pages. The word dynamic is often used when talking about JS. This means the content has the ability to change the display on a web page to show different things and new content as required. JavaScript can be as simple as image galleries and fluctuating layouts, to as complex as animated 2D and 3D graphics such as those you see in video games. JS can either be incorporated into an HTML file using the < script > element or it can be written in a separate .js file.
A neat component of JS allows code to run in response to actions on a web page, such as a mouse click. JavaScripts built in functionality gives it an extra boost of dynamicity with its Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). APIs are pre-made blocks of code that allow a web developer to run programs that would be nearly impossible to achieve otherwise. These pre-made blocks help the coding world the way a pre-built piece of furniture helps the building world. Think about how much easier it is to assemble something when you already have all the building materials prepped and ready to be put together than if you were to have to build it from scratch. There are two main types of APIs, browser and third party. One example of browser APIs include DOM (Document Object Model), which allows the developer to manipulate HTML and CSS dynamically changing the styles of the page, pop up windows are examples DOMs. Third party APIs add even more functionality and versatility to a web page. Examples of third party APIs include Twitter API, which lets you display Tweets on your web page, and Google Maps API, which allows you to have an interactive custom embedded map. The biggest difference between these two APIs is that browser APIs are literally built right into your web browser and third party APIs you must get from somewhere on the web, these APIs are much more advanced. A major advantage of JS is that is runs on the client's side so it reduces the demand on the website server.
One conflict to keep an eye out for is JS typically gets ran in order, from top to bottom, so you have to make sure you have your code in an order so that it render correctly. This means you must ensure that the objects referenced in your code exist before you try to modify them. Some JS will not work on older browsers such as Internet Explorer, many times cross-browser testing will need to be considered. Some people do choose to disable JavaScript from running on their browsers, this decision is made due to worries of security problems. Since the code runs on the user's side it can sometimes be used for malicious purposes which makes some decide to disable JS.
Everyday developers are working with developing and improving JavaScript. With the development of browsers and frequent use of large applications constant improvement is required to keep up. JavaScript already looks so much different than it did even 5 years ago, with app developers frequently using JS framework along with plenty of other kinds of developers, who knows where this web technology could end up.
- What is JavaScript? https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn/JavaScript/First_steps/What_is_JavaScript
- JavaScript Basics https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn/Getting_started_with_the_web/JavaScript_basics
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