Our JavaScript Tutorial is designed for both beginners and professionals. JavaScript is used to create client-side dynamic pages and is a lightweight, cross-platform, object-based scripting language. Unlike compiled languages, JavaScript is a translated language, with the JavaScript Translator embedded in browsers translating the code for web browsers.
JavaScript (js) is a lightweight, object-oriented programming language used by numerous websites for scripting web pages. It is an interpreted, full-fledged programming language that enables dynamic interactivity on websites when applied to an HTML document. Introduced in 1995 to add programs to web pages in the Netscape Navigator browser, it has since been adopted by all other graphical web browsers. JavaScript allows users to build modern web applications that interact directly without reloading the page each time. Traditionally, JavaScript is used to provide various forms of interactivity and simplicity on websites.
Despite its name, JavaScript has no connection with the Java programming language. The name was chosen during a time when Java was gaining popularity. In addition to web browsers, databases such as CouchDB and MongoDB use JavaScript as their scripting and query language.
Universal Browser Support: All popular web browsers support JavaScript with built-in execution environments.
C-like Syntax: JavaScript follows the syntax and structure of the C programming language, making it a structured programming language.
Weakly Typed: JavaScript is a weakly typed language where certain types are implicitly cast depending on the operation.
Object-Oriented: JavaScript uses prototypes rather than classes for inheritance.
Lightweight and Interpreted: JavaScript is a lightweight, interpreted language.
Case-Sensitive: JavaScript is case-sensitive.
Cross-Platform Support: JavaScript runs on various operating systems, including Windows and macOS.
Browser Control: It provides good control over web browsers.
1993: Mosaic, the first popular web browser, was introduced.
1994: Netscape was founded by Marc Andreessen, who realized the web needed to be more dynamic.
1995: Netscape recruited Brendan Eich to implement the Scheme programming language in the browser. However, the company merged with Sun Microsystems to add Java to its Navigator to compete with Microsoft. This led to the development of JavaScript.
• May 1995: Marc Andreessen coined the first code of JavaScript, named 'Mocha'.
• Later, it was renamed 'LiveScript'.
• December 1995: Finally, it was renamed 'JavaScript'.
JavaScript is used to create interactive websites and is mainly utilized for:
• Client-Side Validation: Validating user inputs before they are sent to the server.
• Dynamic Drop-Down Menus: Creating menus that change based on user interaction.
• Displaying Date and Time: Showing the current date and time dynamically.
• Pop-Up Windows and Dialog Boxes: Displaying alert, confirm, and prompt dialog boxes
• Displaying Clocks: Creating real-time clocks.
JavaScript enhances the user experience by making web pages more interactive and responsive. It is a fundamental technology alongside HTML and CSS in the realm of web development.