What is JavaScript?

When people begin to learn how to program, they first learn about HTML and CSS. These two elements form the backbone of web development – they provide the structure and aesthetic of your website or project. Then there’s the third element – JavaScript, which allows your website or project to interact with users. JavaScript lets you validate forms, create visual effects, and so much more.

JavaScript is a multi-paradigm programming language that supports object-oriented and functional programming. It is a dynamic language, meaning that it is executed at runtime rather than compiled at compile time. It has a small set of data types, basic operators (plus, minus, *, /, and %), and standard built-in objects such as string, int, and list. It also supports a prototype-based object model and functions that are first-class objects that execute as loosely-typed methods.

In addition to these features, JavaScript has a number of best-practices and patterns to improve code performance. For example, minimizing DOM manipulation and reducing function calls can reduce the overall time it takes to run your code. Frequent access and interaction with the Document Object Model (DOM) slows down browser rendering and contributes to performance lag. Using techniques such as event delegation and batching DOM updates can help minimize this issue and make your code more efficient.

If you’re an experienced developer, you probably already know a lot about the specifics of javascript. However, if you’re just starting out or a beginner, learning about the internal workings of this language is an excellent way to gain a deeper understanding of how your web applications are created and run behind the scenes. It’s also a great way to understand how the different components of javascript work together to enable your code to execute correctly.