What is JavaScript?

While most people who learn to code start with HTML and CSS, javascript is the third element that makes websites and web applications dynamic. It allows developers to respond to user interactions (clicks, scrolls) and browser events (page load, resize) and it provides access to various browser APIs.

JavaScript is a general-purpose programming language whose syntax allows for the creation of object-oriented programs. It also supports multidimensional arrays and powerful built-in methods for working with these data collections. For example, there are methods to push(), pop(), shift(), unshift(), splice(), slice(), concat(), join() and more for working with arrays. These built-in functions make javascript very flexible and a good choice for working with data.

Unlike other languages that compile source code before it runs, javascript has an interpreter that runs the code as it is written. This is a great advantage as it allows developers to write, test and debug their code without needing a compiler. However, this comes with a trade-off: the interpreter must keep track of all the function calls, and this can affect performance.

To improve performance, javascript uses a technique called inlining. When a function is called multiple times, the engine substitutes the original function code with the function call itself. This reduces the number of function calls and increases speed.

The code that is compiled and executed by the javascript interpreter is first parsed to turn it into an abstract syntax tree. Then, the AST is translated into machine code using a just-in-time compiler. Finally, the code is run in a context called an execution stack. The stack keeps track of all the function calls and the state of the code that is currently running.

Most javascript code is written in a form known as procedural programming. This means that each step is determined by a conditional expression, such as if (x>y). The result of the test is a new value for x or y, which determines what will be done next. If the test fails, an error is thrown and the code stops running.

A few important features of javascript are:

Demystifying Web Coding

If you’ve done even the shallowest dive down the tech rabbit hole, you’ve probably seen the title “Web Developer.” But what does that really mean? And how does it differ from other roles like front end, back end, and full stack developers? This article helps demystify what web coding is, and how it can help you build your career in the world of tech.

A Web Developer takes the designs and plans created by web designers (a separate, yet related role) and uses code to make them come to life on the screen of a user’s phone, tablet, or computer. They are THE cornerstone of all things tech, and knowing their skills can be a game-changer for anyone looking to transition to a career in software development.

As such, Web Developers need a strong grasp of multiple programming languages and technologies. Some common ones include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and SQL. While specific duties vary by job, all Web Developers should have an advanced understanding of these programming languages and libraries.

The first step in building a website is to create a basic HTML document. It’s important to use a raw text editor rather than a formatted word processor, as these programs often insert characters that aren’t valid HTML. The file name should also be clean, with only letters and numbers. Avoid using underscores or dashes, as well as percent signs, slashes, question marks, exclamation points, or commas. These special characters can interfere with a browser’s ability to properly locate the file.

Once you’ve created your HTML document, you can start adding the basic tags needed to format the text on your page. These should always be followed by a closing tag. For example, the /p> tag signals to the browser that there’s an end to the line of text. Without the closing tag, the browser may continue to display the next line of text, or it may insert a paragraph break where one isn’t necessary.

CSS is another powerful tool that can take a plain HTML document and turn it into something much more visually appealing. It’s a way to control how a web page is displayed, and can be used to create complex layouts with different types of content.

JavaScript is a powerful language that allows Web Developers to create interactive experiences on their websites. It’s a way for them to add animation, create a scrolling element, or make the entire site responsive. It’s a great choice for Web Developers who want to expand their skill set and add more complexity to their sites.

Lastly, SQL is the database language that Web Developers use to store, retrieve, and update information in a website’s database. It’s a common tool for building data-driven applications, and is a requirement for many modern web apps. A solid understanding of SQL can allow you to build and scale robust applications that can run on any device and deliver personalized content based on a user’s preferences.