What is JavaScript?

What is javascript, its uses, who designed it, advantages, and disadvantages.

Photo by Antonio Batinić

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a programming or scripting language used by programmers to create interactive webpages i.e webpages that respond or interact with you for example, forms that collect input from you like search bars.

A webpage is created using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

HTML which stands for Hypertext Mark-up Language is used to create the webpage, it gives the webpage structure because of its elements which can be used to add text, images, videos, GIFs, links, etc. These element create the skeletal structure of the webpage.

CSS which stands for Cascading Style Sheets is used to style and design the webpages by specifying the webpage’s font, background color, font color, font style, etc. It helps the webpage look presentable and nice.

A webpage without JavaScript just displays information and no interaction is carried out between you and the webpage except for maybe when a link in embedded using HTML. JavaScript allows for the website to respond to you for example, drop-down menus whose content won’t be shown until you click on them.

The effect that shows when you hover your mouse pointer on a content of the webpage or the animations, audios, and videos included in the webpage are a result of using JavaScript when creating the webpage.

Uses of JavaScript

1. Creating Interactive Webpages: By using javascript in the creation of your webpage, you will be able to allow your users to interact and communicate with your webpage. They can do things like; clicking on drop-down or pull down menu to show more information or options, when your mouse hovers over your webpage content something happens, creating a carousel of images which is like a slideshow, playing audio sounds or video on the webpage, etc.
2. Building Web And Mobile Apps: JavaScript now has frameworks which are collections of javascript code libraries that contain pre-written code that can be used so that you as a developer don’t have to write the code from scratch. The frameworks can be the skeleton that you build your app around. These frameworks make it easier when creating mobile apps. Examples of javascript front-end frameworks are; React, AngularJS, Angular, NodeJS, etc.
3. Game Development: JavaScript can be used to make browser games. Creating these games can be a way for beginner developers to hone their skills. Some of the most popular games include; Angry Birds, 2048, Little Alchemy, The Wizard, etc.
4. Building Web Servers and Server Applications: Using node.js, javascript developers are able to build web servers and develop server applications.

Who Designed JavaScript?

JavaScript was created by a man named Brendan Eich in 1995, he was a Netscape Communications Corporation programmer. It took him only 10 days to develop javascript but it was known as mocha back then. The syntax was inspired by the Java programming language which is easy to learn.

Advantages of Using JavaScript

1. Speed: JavaScript is very fast because it doesn’t need to be compiled and it is a client-side script, it doesn’t need to connect to a server which means that time is not wasted on contacting and connecting to it. JavaScript commands are carried out directly.
2. Simple: the javascript structure is simple which makes it easier to learn. It also is very easy to implement as it does not cost a lot of money. The users also find it easy to use because of how simple it is.
3. Server Load: Due to javascript being server-side, not many requests will be sent to the server. Most of the data validation will be done in the browser itself, this reduces the load that the servers will have to bear.
4. Popularity: Today javascript is one of the most commonly used programming language and almost all major browsers support it. It is seen everywhere. JavaScript is increasingly used in back-end programming due to the arrival of nodeJS. Materials and classes for learning javascript can be found anywhere online.
5. Updates: JavaScript's frameworks and libraries are always being updated regularly with the latest everything.

Disadvantages of Using JavaScript

1. Security: The javascript code can be seen by the user. This means that it can be used maliciously or it can be used without your authorization and authentication.
2. Debugging Difficulty: Browsers don’t show error messages, this means that it will be very hard to find the error. Even though some HTML editors support debugging, they are not as effective as other editors.
3. Browser Compatibility: Every browser interprets JavaScript code differently, this means you have to test your code in every major browser and their older versions so that you can give your viewers the best experience.
4. Rendering Stopped: A single unexpected error in the code can stop the entire javascript code. The browsers are extemely tolerant of these errors

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