JavaScript is a computer language that’s used a lot on the internet. Almost all websites, about 97.7% of them, use JavaScript to make their web pages work better. So, if you want to work as a web developer (someone who builds websites), you really need to know how to use JavaScript.
To start a career in web development, you should learn what JavaScript is, why it’s so popular, how it’s used in real-life situations, and get some tips on how to become really good at using JavaScript. Basically, it’s like saying if you want to be a chef, you should learn how to use a knife because it’s an essential tool in the kitchen. JavaScript is like that essential tool for web developers.
What Is JavaScript?
JavaScript, often called JS, is a computer language that web developers use to make websites more exciting and interactive. It helps them do things like making things move on the screen, creating pop-up menus, and changing what’s on a webpage without needing to refresh it.
You can use JavaScript in two main ways: one is to make things happen on the user’s computer (that’s called “client-side”), and the other is to make things happen on the web server (that’s called “server-side”).
Imagine a web page as a book. HTML and CSS are like the pages and the cover of the book, giving it structure and style. But JavaScript is like the magic that makes the characters in the book come to life and do exciting things. Without JavaScript, most of the internet would be like a boring, static book with no surprises
What Makes JavaScript So Popular?
JavaScript is like a tool that makes things happen on our computers and devices. It’s like a language that these devices understand. We can find JavaScript on lots of devices we use every day, like iPhones, Android phones, Mac computers, Windows computers, Linux computers, and even smart TVs. It’s everywhere because it helps make all these devices work better and do cool things. So, when you use your phone or computer, there’s a good chance that JavaScript is behind the scenes making things happen. The significant reasons why JavaScript became universally adopted for web development include:
- Front-end and Back-end: JavaScript is a versatile language that can be used to build the parts of websites that users see (front-end) and the behind-the-scenes stuff that makes websites work (back-end).
- For Everyone: JavaScript is suitable for all levels of developers, whether you’re just starting (beginner), have some experience (intermediate), or are really good at it (advanced).
- Works Everywhere: You can use JavaScript on pretty much any device, like computers and phones.
- No Fussy Setup: You don’t need to do a lot of complicated preparation to use JavaScript. You can start coding right away.
- Keeps Getting Better: JavaScript is always getting updates and improvements to make it even more useful.
- Open and Community-Driven: It’s an open and collaborative language. Many people from around the world work together to make it better.
- Plays with DOM: JavaScript is like a puppet master for web pages. It can make web pages change when users click or interact with them, thanks to something called the Document Object Model (DOM).
- Turns Browsers into Apps: It’s so powerful that it can turn regular web browsers into platforms for running complex applications, almost like turning a web browser into a mini-computer.
- Lots of Help: There are many pre-made sets of tools (frameworks and libraries) that can make it easier to build big and fancy programs with JavaScript.
Top 10 Practical Applications of JavaScript
JavaScript is widely used for building websites and web applications. Let’s discuss some practical applications of JavaScript in various segments
1. Web Development
JavaScript is like a special language used to make websites. It was created by a company called Netscape, and it’s like the magic that makes web pages interesting and lets you do things on them.
With JavaScript, you can make web pages do all sorts of cool stuff, like showing new things without reloading the whole page. For example, when you scroll through your Facebook feed and new posts appear, that’s because of JavaScript.
Lots of websites use JavaScript to check if you entered your information correctly in forms, like when you sign up for an account or buy something online. It’s like having a helper to catch mistakes.
Big companies like Google, YouTube, Facebook, and others use JavaScript to make their websites awesome and fun to use. So, when you visit these sites, you’re actually experiencing JavaScript in action!
2. Web Applications
When we talk about building really strong and fancy web apps, people use special tools called “JavaScript frameworks.” Think of these frameworks as toolboxes that make it easier to create cool stuff on the web.
For example, you know Google Maps, right? When you want to zoom in and out or move the map around, you can just click and drag with your mouse. That’s all thanks to JavaScript. It’s like the map is listening to your mouse and doing what you want.
Some famous JavaScript frameworks that help make web apps like this are React Native, React, Angular, and Vue. These are like sets of tools that help developers create awesome web applications.
Now, remember Netflix and PayPal? They used a specific JavaScript framework called AngularJS to build their websites. This made it easier for them to create the features you see when you use their services, like watching movies on Netflix or making payments on PayPal.
So, in simple terms, JavaScript frameworks are like super-helpful toolboxes for building really cool and powerful web apps like Google Maps, Netflix, and PayPal.
3. Presentations
JavaScript is really useful for making interactive presentations on the internet, like slideshows you might see in a class or conference. There are special tools, like RevealJs and BespokeJs, that make it easy to create these web-based presentations using basic web code.
RevealJs is like a magic tool that lets you make slides that look really cool. You can change how one slide moves to the next, pick different styles, and even choose colors for your slides.
On the other hand, BespokeJs is like a super toolbox for making presentations. It has a bunch of features, like making things on your slides appear and disappear in a fancy way, highlighting text, and more.
The cool thing is, even if you don’t know a lot about programming, you can use these tools to create your own online presentations. It’s like building a webpage, but instead of text and pictures, you’re using JavaScript to make slides that tell your story or share your ideas. So, it’s a fun and creative way to use JavaScript!
4. Server Applications
JavaScript isn’t just for making websites look cool; it can also be used to create powerful computer programs that run on the server-side, and this is done through something called Node.js.
Imagine a server like a big computer that stores and shares information with other computers over the internet. Node.js is like a toolbox that lets programmers write, test, and fix the code for these servers. It helps make them fast and able to handle lots of users at once.
With JavaScript and Node.js, you can create and manage content on websites and handle requests from web browsers. So, when you’re shopping online at Walmart or using services like PayPal, Uber, or GoDaddy, their computer systems are probably using Node.js to work smoothly and handle all the requests from users like you. It’s like having a super reliable and fast worker behind the scenes making everything run smoothly.
5. Web Servers
Node.js is like a special tool that lets programmers use JavaScript to build a web server. A web server is like a computer that sends information to other computers when they ask for it, like when you open a webpage.
What’s cool about Node.js is that it’s super fast and efficient. It doesn’t wait around for one thing to finish before moving on to the next task. It’s like a super multitasker!
For example, when you ask a web server for a webpage, Node.js can quickly send pieces of that webpage to your computer without stopping to put everything together first. It’s like sending parts of a puzzle as soon as they’re ready, instead of waiting to finish the whole puzzle.
To make a web server with Node.js, programmers use a special part of it called the HTTP module, and they can use a method called createServer() to set it up. It’s like using a blueprint to build a house. This way, you can create web servers that respond to requests from people’s web browsers really efficiently.
6. Games
JavaScript is not just for making websites, it’s also great for creating fun games that you can play on the internet. To make these games, programmers use a mix of JavaScript and a special version of web code called HTML5.
Think of HTML5 as a set of tools that help make games work really well in web browsers. It’s like giving game developers everything they need to create cool games without needing extra stuff like Flash.
One of the libraries (or toolsets) that game makers use is called EaselJS. It’s like a treasure chest full of graphics and special effects that make games look awesome.
And the best part is, because they use JavaScript and HTML5, you don’t have to install anything extra to play these games. Some pretty cool games like Tower Building, CrossCode, and HexGL are all made using JavaScript and HTML5, so you can enjoy them right in your web browser. It’s like having a whole arcade on your computer, just by opening a webpage!
7. Art
In the world of web technology, there’s this cool thing called HTML5, and it has a special tool called the “canvas element.” This canvas thing lets you draw pictures and even make 3D stuff right on a web page, like you’re painting on a digital canvas.
This canvas element has made it possible for artists to do all sorts of creative projects on web browsers. Imagine you’re an artist, but instead of using paint and brushes, you use a special kind of code called JavaScript to create your art.
So, if you’re interested in art and technology, you can become a digital artist by using JavaScript to make your own unique and beautiful art right on a web page. It’s like having a digital art studio inside your computer!
8. Smartwatch Apps
There’s a special tool called Pebble.js made by a company called Pebble, and it lets computer programmers create little apps for Pebble smartwatches using a simple kind of code called JavaScript.
So, if you’re a developer and you want to make a cool app for a Pebble smartwatch, you can use Pebble.js. You don’t need to be a super-duper expert; you can create your app using basic JavaScript code. It’s like making a tiny computer program that works on your smartwatch, and you can do it with just a bit of JavaScript magic
9. Mobile Apps
JavaScript isn’t just for the internet; it’s also really useful for creating apps that work on things like your smartphone or tablet. Nowadays, lots of people use these devices all the time.
To make it easier for programmers to build apps for these devices, special tools called JavaScript frameworks have been created. These frameworks help developers create apps that can run on different devices, like iPhones (iOS), Android phones, and Windows devices.
One of these handy frameworks is called React Native. It’s like a magic wand for app creators because it allows them to make one version of an app that works on both Android and iOS devices. This way, they don’t have to start from scratch for each platform; they can use the same code to build apps for both.
So, in simple terms, JavaScript, with the help of frameworks like React Native, lets developers build apps for your phone or tablet, whether it’s an iPhone or an Android, and they can do it more easily and quickly.
10. Flying Robots
Believe it or not, you can use JavaScript to control flying robots! These flying robots can be small, like drones, or even bigger ones. It’s like becoming a captain for a tiny flying machine.
With a special part of JavaScript called the Node.js ecosystem, you can make all sorts of cool things happen. You can control lots of small robots, create fun projects, and even make devices that are part of the Internet of Things (IoT) follow your commands.
So, imagine stepping into a world of flying robots and drones, where you’re the one in charge, and you’re using JavaScript to make them do all sorts of exciting things. It’s like being a pilot, but instead of a plane, you’re flying a robot using code you write in JavaScript. How cool is that?
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