Before starting this introduction, you don't need to have any knowledge of JavaScript; however, you should be relatively familiar with HTML and CSS. We recommend reading our Beginner's Guide to HTML and Beginner's Guide to CSS before continuing to learn about JavaScript.
Already familiar with HTML and CSS? Let's get started.
Alongside HTML and CSS, JavaScript is one of the core technologies of the web. JavaScript is a programming language that adds ways for users to interact and engage with your website. Just as you can interact with parts of your home, such as turning on a light, you can interact with certain webpage elements to determine what happens next through JavaScript.
JavaScript can run everywhere, including mobile devices, tablets, and laptops. This ability makes JavaScript a universal language and also helps its ranking as the most commonly used programming language.
JavaScript is commonly used to add interactive behavior to your webpages. What kind of behaviors can this include?
Conditional statements control behavior in JavaScript and determine whether or not pieces of code can run. There are multiple types of JS conditionals, including the following:
If statements are the most common type of conditional. This statement only runs if the condition enclosed within parentheses is true.
Example:
if (condition) {
// block of code to be executed if the condition is true
}
Else statements are often added to if statements, allowing another block to run when the if statement doesn't pass.
Example:
if (condition) {
// block of code runs if the condition is true
} else {
// block of code runs if the condition is false
}
If statements can also be extended by adding an else if statement. This statement passes if a specified condition is true. If the condition is false, another block can run.
Example:
if (condition1) {
// block of code runs if condition1 is true
} else if (condition2) {
// block of code runs if the condition1 is false and condition2 is true
} else {
// block of code runs if the condition1 is false and condition2 is false
}
The for loop repeats a block of code as long as a certain condition is met. The statement is typically used to run a block of code for a certain number of times.
Syntax:
for (initialization; condition; increment) {
// code to run
}
The initialization parameter happens first and only once.
The condition parameter is tested each time through the loop. If true, the block and increment are executed and the condition is tested again. If false, the loop ends.
The increment parameter is executed each time through the loop when the condition is true.
The loop while statement loops through a block of code as long as the specified condition is true. The loop stops as soon as the condition fails.
Syntax:
while (condition) {
// code to run
}
JavaScript functions are designed to perform a particular task and executed when they are called, also known as invoking a function. A function is defined with the function keyword, followed by a name, followed by parentheses, as shown below.
function name(parameter1, parameter2, parameter3) {
// code to run
}
When JavaScript is used in HTML pages, JavaScript can react on HTML events. An HTML event can be something the browser or user does, such as when the webpage finishes loading or when an HTML button is clicked. When these events occur, you often want to do something else. JavaScript allows you to execute code when events are detected. For example, you could run a JavaScript response to display a message to users when they click a button.
JavaScript plays a crucial role in web development, creating a dynamic and interactive experience for website users. JavaScript works closely with HTML and CSS to build the front end of a website by applying information that alters the structure, style, and interactivity.
Not sure if you can execute this kind of task by yourself? Consider the help of our software developers at WynHouse Innovation.
