Full Details of Javascript and What are the Uses for Developers?
If you are a web developer, you must be familiar with what Javascript is. Javascript has been around since 1994 and is one of the most popular programming languages used by developers to develop websites. If you master this programming language, then you can develop a website with good functionality. So what exactly is Javascript? Here we present the information for you.
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| What is Javascript? Advantages and Disadvantages of JavaScript |
What is Javascript?
Javascript is a text-based programming language used on the client side and server side that allows its users to generate interactive web pages. Developers use Javascript when implementing complex features on web pages.
Javascript is also considered one of the main programming languages besides HTML and CSS.
- HTML: a markup language for building the structure of web pages such as defining paragraphs, titles, data tables, or embedding images and videos.
- CSS: the danger used to determine the layout and style of a website such as setting background colors and fonts.
- Javascript: a scripting language used to provide interactive elements that engage the user.
What is Javascript used for?
After you understand what Javascript is, it's time for you to know what are the uses of this programming language. Here are some basic uses of Javascript.
1. Adding interactive elements
Javascript allows developers to develop websites that users can interact with. Some of these elements such as:
- The color of the button can change when the mouse cursor is over it.
- Displays animation.
- Enlarge or reduce the image.
- Display timers on web pages, and much more.
2. Creating web and mobile apps
Developers can use a variety of Javascript frameworks to easily develop websites and mobile apps. The Javascript framework is a Javascript code library that is used to create a feature or perform routine tasks. There are currently a variety of popular JavaScript front-end frameworks such as React, React Native, Angular, and Vue.
3. Build web servers and develop server applications
Apart from being used to develop web and applications, developers can also use Javascript to build simple web servers and develop back-end infrastructure using Node.js.
4. Game development
Javascript can also be used to create games using various platforms and tools. By adding the HTML5 canvas, the level of complexity of browser-based games can also be increased.
Understanding JavaScript, Advantages and Disadvantages of Using It
So far, many of the few people who define the meaning of JavaScript and its advantages are not by the true meaning. As is known, JavaScript itself is the most popular programming language that is often used for website creation and development.
For a professional programmer, the name JavaScript would be familiar to their ears considering how popular this language is besides HTML and CSS. Then how is the definition and understanding of JavaScript according to IT experts?
Understanding JavaScript According to Experts
According to Mac Bride (2007) in his book entitled, Java Script, it is stated that JavaScript is a browser-based programming language, where all the code is written directly into the HTML of web pages which is then translated and executed in response to all activities that occur on web pages.
Deitel (2012) in his book entitled C How to Program, states that JavaScript is a scripting language that is often used to add programs to a web page as an example of animation and interaction with users and can be used in all web browsers.
According to William & Sawyer (2011) in their book entitled Using Information Technology: A Practical Introduction to Computers & Communications, JavaScript is an object-oriented script language used in web browsers by adding some interactive functions on web pages.
Meanwhile, according to several websites, the following are some definitions of JavaScript taken from several sources.
Understanding JavaScript according to Wikipedia is a high-level programming language that is dynamic, easy to type, prototype-based, and multi-paradigm.
Meanwhile, according to Mozilla.org, JavaScript is a program that makes it easy for you to implement complex things on a website.
According to books, JavaScript is a scripting language that is often used to create and develop a website. In general, this language is often combined with other programming languages, such as HTML and CSS.
While the Computer website explains that JavaScript is a scripting language that is interpreted by a web designer who can insert code into a web page.
JavaScript History
The JavaScript programming language was first introduced by a Netscape employee, named Brendan Eich in 1995. At that time, Netscape was a well-known software company with its leading web browser called Netscape Navigator.
JavaScript itself was created by accident because at first Brendan Eich was asked to create a scripting language like Java that could be applied to a browser. In response to this, he finally created a new programming language called Mocha whose features come from Java, Schema, and Self.
Mocha was made in just 10 days considering that time was tight with the release of the 2nd version of Netscape Navigator.
Over time, the name Mocha changed to LiveScript. Until finally Netscape cooperated with Sun or currently known as Oracle, the Java license holder who later turned LiveScript into the JavaScript we know today.
JavaScript itself is one of the parts of the World Wide Web or more commonly known as the WWW or more familiar with the internet.
Within the WWW, you will find three programming languages, namely HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) serves to add content or data to the web, while Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) serves to create the layout or theme of a website.
JavaScript serves to enhance the system as well as beautify the appearance of a website page.
How JavaScript Works
In contrast to HTML, CSS, and PHP, the programming languages are processed behind the server, where the entire process will be the task and responsibility of a back-end programmer. The process of scanning the HTML and CSS programming languages will be carried out by the web server.
While in JavaScript, the script language will be embedded directly into the website page. That is one of the reasons why JavaScript is very close to a Front End Developer because all the scripts will be directly downloaded on the device used and not processed through the server again.
JavaScript Frameworks
As one of the best and most widely used programming languages in the world, JavaScript has several frameworks that you can use, both for mobile and desktop platforms. Well, here are 5 JavaScript frameworks that you can use for the creation and development of a website, including:
Electrons
It is one of the best JavaScript frameworks and is often used for creating desktop applications. Some examples of the most popular desktop applications that use the Electron framework include Slack, Skype, WordPress, and several other applications.
NW.js
It is a framework developed by Intel's Open Source Technology Center. This framework combines the Node.js framework with the Chromium Engine which is known as WebKit.
App.js
Is a JavaScript framework that you can use to create a platform application without the need to learn the latest programming language first. Just with App.js, you can directly get the latest HTML 5 API with this framework.
Meteor
It is an open-source JavaScript framework that allows you to build web, mobile, and desktop applications very easily. Meteor is one of the most complete frameworks compared to other frameworks, from the server side to the client side.
Proton Native
Is a JavaScript-based framework that was created to build an interface for desktop applications. Proton Native is often used by web developers to build mobile apps like React Native.
Advantages of JavaScript
Used by almost 95% of websites in the world, it is certainly not difficult to discuss some of the advantages of using the JavaScript programming language, including:
- By using JavaScript, web browsers will be able to directly interpret scripts that have been created automatically via HTML
- The JavaScript programming language is easily understood by web developers, including fresh graduates or people who are new to the world of web developers.
- Error handling is made easier, so when an error occurs, web developers can immediately find and fix it.
- Multi-Platform, because it can be used on all types of computer operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, Android, and various other operating systems.
- JavaScript is easy to develop because it carries a multi-platform and dynamic concept so that it can be easily updated and developed according to user needs and technological developments over time.
- JavaScript programming language is very fast, lightweight, and user-friendly because it does not require a lot of memory resources. This certainly makes developers develop various applications according to user needs.
Disadvantages of JavaScript
Although it has many advantages, like a system, the JavaScript programming language also has some disadvantages that you need to know, including:
- With a system that is easy to develop and easy to understand by web developers, making the JavaScript programming language very easy to exploit, especially for naughty web developers.
- It is very risky to be used for bad purposes, such as using the website for spying purposes and various other cyber crimes.
- Have a lot of JavaScript code snippets that make it not encrypted properly or even tend to be unencrypted at all.
- Inconsistent because data from each device is rendered differently from each other.
Those are some definitions of JavaScript and the advantages and disadvantages of this programming language. Hope this information is useful for you.