How Javascript Is Used on the Web
javascript is one of the most popular programming languages on the web. While HTML provides structure and CSS adds style, javascript is what gives websites their functionality. Without it, we’d just be looking at a bunch of images and text. It’s what allows us to click on a button that creates a new paragraph, or fill out a form that sends your email address to a company.
It’s a lightweight programming language that has minimalist syntax. In addition, it’s a dynamic scripting language, meaning that functions are executed at run time. Compared to statically typed languages, such as C and C++, this means that it’s a lot faster and more flexible. JavaScript is also a weakly typed language, meaning that there’s no need to specify the data type of variables. This reduces the chance of a mistake in typing, and can make it easier for beginners to start learning the language.
The most common use of javascript is to validate entries on web forms. When a web page gathers information from users, like their age or phone number, javascript is used to ensure that the entered values are valid. This is referred to as field validation. It’s a common part of any web application that requires people to enter data.
Another way that javascript is used is to perform animations and other effects on a webpage. This can include things like a scrolling banner or a sliding image that is inserted into the browser window. This makes a webpage more interactive for visitors, and is a great way to increase user engagement.
Lastly, javascript is used to provide real-time updates on a website. For example, stock or crypto prices, news tickers, and chat widgets can all be implemented using javascript. This is a very common feature of many websites, and helps users keep up with the latest information without having to refresh the page.
However, it’s important to note that the more javascript that is used on a site, the lower the performance will be. This is because every javascript has to be parsed, compiled, and executed by the browser at run time. This can take a while, especially if there are a large amount of scripts on the page. This is why it’s crucial to only use javascript where necessary, and to limit its scope as much as possible. Otherwise, users may experience long loading times and other issues with the website.