What Is JavaScript?

A programming language that’s part of the web’s architecture, javascript makes it possible to add functionality like animation and 2D/3D graphics to static pages. It also lets websites become interactive by giving users the ability to click on things to get more information and even change content on a website in real-time. It’s used by major tech companies like Google and Facebook to add functionality to their sites and make them more engaging, plus it’s the magic behind things like little stars following your mouse around or roll-over menus.

JavaScript is a dynamic programming language, meaning it can be run on the client or server side. A developer can write JavaScript code inside the script> tag of an HTML document. The tags can be placed in the head> or body> section of the document, and the script will only execute once all the HTML is loaded and parsed.

The main parts of a javascript program are functions, variables, and values. Functions are bits of code that can do something, such as add two numbers together or combine a string and a number. Functions are written using parentheses, and they usually take one or more arguments: bits of data that the function needs to do its work.

Variables are a key element to any programming language. They’re the containers that hold all the data in a program, and they’re essential for any programming that involves changing a value. In javascript, variables can be any type of data, but they are most often referred to as integers or strings. Variables are also what give programs their flexibility: if you want to change something from one thing to another, the code can be changed with just a few line changes.

There are several types of operators in javascript, and they do what you would expect them to do in basic math: for example, the arithmetic operators like + and – produce results by performing addition and subtraction. There are also other, more advanced operators that let you perform operations on lists or arrays of data.

All of these features are why javascript is so powerful. It’s easy to learn, and it has the power to give your site more functionality and an edge over competitors. It’s no wonder that almost all modern browsers and mobile apps use javascript.

Javascript is continually evolving, and there are tools available to help you stay on top of the latest developments. A large standards body called Ecma International publishes updates every year, and they are based on public proposals and extensive testing by major web browsers. This ensures that the new features will work in all major browsers, and tools like Babel and Closure Compiler can translate them into older versions of javascript for older browsers your customers might be using.