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What is Javascript

Understanding Javascript​

Javascript, often abbreviated as JS, is a high-level, interpreted programming language that conforms to the ECMAScript specification. It is a language that is also characterized as dynamic, weakly typed, prototype-based, and multi-paradigm.

Where is Javascript Used?​

Javascript is one of the core technologies of the World Wide Web, alongside HTML and CSS. Most websites employ it, and it is supported by all modern web browsers without plug-ins. Here are some areas where Javascript is commonly used:

  1. Web Development: Javascript is primarily used to enhance web pages to provide for a more user-friendly experience. This includes things like creating interactive forms, refreshing the page in real-time, or even creating a full-fledged web application.

  2. Server Development: With the advent of Node.js, Javascript can now be used to build servers and server applications, making it possible to use the same language for both server and client-side scripts.

  3. Game Development: Javascript can be used to build interactive web games. With its ability to manipulate HTML and CSS, you can create drawing objects, animate characters, and much more.

  4. Mobile App Development: Frameworks like React Native and Ionic allow developers to write mobile applications in Javascript that can run on both Android and iOS devices.

How does Javascript Work?​

Javascript is executed in the browser, on the client-side. This means the code is sent to the user's computer and runs there, rather than running on the server. This is a key advantage for Javascript as it can create a smooth user experience since all the code executes on the user's machine.

Javascript is an interpreted language, meaning it's not compiled by the developer into machine code - this is done by the browser in real-time. The interpreter reads and executes the code line-by-line, which allows for interactive debugging.

Basic Concepts of Javascript​

Here are some basic concepts you need to know to work with Javascript:

  1. Variables: Variables are used to store values. In Javascript, you can declare a variable using var, let, or const.

  2. Data Types: Javascript has dynamic types. This means the same variable can be used to hold different data types. There are two types of data in JavaScript: primitive and reference data types. Primitive data types include Undefined, Null, Boolean, Number, and String. On the other hand, Objects and Arrays are considered reference data types.

  3. Functions: Functions are blocks of code designed to perform a task. They are executed when invoked (called).

  4. Operators: Javascript includes various operators that allow for math operations, string concatenation, comparison, logical operations, and more.

  5. Control Structures: These include if, else, for, while, and switch statements that control the flow of the code.

  6. Objects: Javascript is an object-oriented language and supports the concept of objects which are collections of properties and methods.

In conclusion, Javascript is a versatile, powerful, and popular language that plays a crucial role in modern web development, both on the client-side and server-side. With a good understanding of Javascript, you can build interactive and dynamic websites, develop server applications, create games, and even mobile applications.