Through various beginner web courses, you too can learn JavaScript online and become the expert you’ve always wanted to be. Such a good place to begin your journey includes Codecademy, Udemy, or even Pluralsight. Besides the numerous free guides offered by W3Schools, of course. So, in reality, for those eager to learn JavaScript online, this guideline is for you.
Bearing in mind, that it’s the world’s most popular programming language. A programming language of the Web that is so easy to learn. And now, with that in mind, in this beginner webmaster’s guide, the learning speed is your choice. When it comes to website design and development, the best thing is that ‘everything is up to you.’
One thing is for sure, if you are struggling, all you need is to take a break for now. Or just re-read the material more often. And, there’s no other best way to start than this guideline. So, follow my leads till the end to know more!
Why Learn JavaScript Online?
Before you even try to learn JavaScript online, you must know that it’s a lightweight, interpreted programming language. Specifically, designed for creating network-centric applications. But it’s complementary to and integrated with Java.
Java by Oracle is a class-based, object-oriented programming language that is designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible. On the other hand, JavaScript is very easy to implement because it is integrated with HTML. It is open and cross-platform.
As we always say, here at jmexclusives, the only way to become a clever programmer is to: Practice, Practice, and Practice! Then Code, Code, and Code! In that case, Javascript is a must for students and working professionals.
In order to become great Software Engineers. Especially when they are working in Web Development Domain. Always make sure you understand all the “Try-it-Yourself” examples provided by W3Schools.
The Key Advantages For You To Learn Javascript Online
First, Javascript is the most popular programming language in the world, thus a programmer’s great choice. And once you learn Javascript, it helps you develop a great front-end web application. As well as back-end software using different Javascript-based frameworks like jQuery, Node.JS, etc.
Secondly, Javascript is everywhere! For one thing, it comes installed on almost every modern web browser. For example, Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and every browser you know as of today supports Javascript. Also, to learn Javascript you really do not need any special environment setup.
Then again, Javascript helps you create a really beautiful and crazy fast website. You can even develop your own website with a console-like look and feel. Giving your users the best Graphical User Experience. On the other hand, its usage has now extended to mobile app development, desktop app development, and game development.
Get Started: JavaScript Online Course — Become An Expert Today!
Whilst, this opens many opportunities for you as Javascript Programmer. And then, due to high demand, there is tons of job growth and high pay for those who know JavaScript. What’s more, you can navigate over to different job sites to see what having JavaScript skills looks like in the job market.
Another great thing about Javascript is that you will find tons of frameworks and Libraries already developed for you. Some of which can be used directly in your software development to reduce your time to market.
Simply put, you can now Master JavaScript with the most complete course (Udemy) on the market today. Whether you’re a beginner or even an advanced, you can join millions of learners from around the World too. Especially, those who are already learning on Udemy! Save up to 90% from over 130,000 courses.
Some requirements to learn JavaScript are:
- No coding experience is necessary to take this course!
- They’ll take you from beginner to expert!
- Any computer and OS will work — Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- They will set up your text editor for the course.
- A basic understanding of HTML and CSS is a plus, but not a must!
- The course includes an HTML and CSS crash course.
NB: Their Selenium Courses are in 60+ Languages. You can go ahead and see all the other course content for more details.
Hello World — Using Javascript!
Sincerely speaking, there could be 1000s of good reasons to learn Javascript programming. But, one thing is for sure, to learn any programming language, not only Javascript, you just need to code, and code even more. And then, finally, code until you become an expert (like Joseph Mucira who is Our CEO).
Want even better news in the wake of these encouraging stats? Learning JavaScript is as easy as starting with Codecademy tutorials among many other similar sites. And then, moving on to paid, instructor-led classes like Skillcrush’s Web Developer Blueprint.
All I’ll need to do now is just to give you a little excitement about Javascript programming. Whereby, I’m going to give you a small conventional Javascript Hello World program. And in return, you too can try it using the Live Demo at a greater scale.
A Sample Illustration:
<html> <body> <script language = "javascript" type = "text/javascript"> <!-- document.write("Hello World!") //--> </script> </body> </html>
What Is A JavaScript Framework?
In general, there’re so many useful Javascript Frameworks and libraries available for everyone. And although some are more advanced, they equally become resourceful as you continue to learn Javascript. So, when you start working with JavaScript you’ll soon see references to JavaScript Frameworks.
Whether these references are in job listings, front-end developer forums, or articles about JavaScript, everyone seems to champion JS frameworks — but what is a framework? Think of building websites and web apps like building a house — when you set out to build a house, you could create all of your own building materials from scratch.
You can even start building without any schematics, but that approach would be incredibly time-consuming and doesn’t make a lot of sense. It’s more likely that you would purchase pre-manufactured building materials (wood, bricks, countertops, etc.) and then assemble them. Based on a blueprint to fit your specific needs.
Coding Is Very Similar!
When you set out to code a website, you could code every aspect of that site from scratch, but there are certain common website features that make more sense to apply from a template — if you need a wheel, for instance, it’s a lot more sense to buy one than it is to reinvent it. And that’s where JavaScript Frameworks come into play.
If you need a standard JavaScript photo carousel on a webpage, for instance, you can use code from a framework to provide the feature for you. While you spend more time on coding the unique aspects of your site that don’t have an easy, plugin solution.
Likewise, if you’ve heard of the singular JavaScript Library jQuery, this might sound familiar. But there’s a small (yet important) distinction when it comes to singular JavaScript Libraries versus JavaScript Frameworks.
Example Frameworks Include:
- Angular, React, jQuery, Vue.js, Ext.js, Ember.js, Meteor.js,
- Mithril.js, Node.js, Polymer.js, Aurelia, Backbone.js, etc.
As of today, it’s really impossible to give a complete list of all the available Javascript Frameworks and libraries. But, the above mentions are a good start. Why? Since the Javascript world is just too large and too much news is happening each day.
What Are JavaScript Libraries?
JS libraries like jQuery are used by plugging library code into the rest of your site’s code when needed. If you want to use a jQuery template for an autocomplete feature, for instance, you would insert the appropriate jQuery code.
Thereafter, it then retrieves the feature from the jQuery library and displays it on your user’s web browser. So, in other words, when a front-end developer uses a library like jQuery, the developer is using jQuery code to “call” the jQuery library, which then provides the requested content. When you’re trying to define a framework in the context of library vs framework, think of it like this:
When you use JS frameworks the process is more holistic. And, there’s a reason — a framework doesn’t just offer an individual solution to a coding problem, it provides a structure (like a skeleton or a scaffolding…or a framework) that organizes the parts of your site where the framework is implemented.
Related Topic: 5 Common Jobs Requiring JavaScript Skills – QuickStart
This structure comes via page templates with areas set aside for code from the framework’s libraries (which the JavaScript framework “calls” on its own). The upside to using JavaScript frameworks is the overall efficiency and organization that they bring to a project — your code will be neatly structured, and the framework will provide readymade solutions.
More so, for the most common coding problems. On the other hand, all of that structure can be the downside of working with a framework — any JavaScript code you write on top of JS frameworks needs to follow rules and conventions specific to the framework, limiting the freedom you have when coding entirely by hand.
Which JavaScript Framework Are You Supposed to Use?
With some of those limitations mentioned above in mind, does the use of JavaScript frameworks mean the framework structure has to be applied to your entire site? Well, it depends.
While some frameworks are designed to live underneath all of your site or web app’s code, other frameworks — like the increasingly popular Vue (see below)—allow for incremental use. This means you can apply the framework to as much or as little of your website or web app as you want.
And as more frameworks have adopted this incremental model, JS frameworks have become an increasingly flexible way to provide structure when appropriate. While still giving front-end developers the freedom to hand-code when necessary.
Related Topic: What Kinds Of Jobs Can You Get With JavaScript Skills?
But, one of the confusing things about JS frameworks is that there isn’t one be-all, end-all JS framework to learn and use. And at any given time there are a handful of widely-used popular frameworks reflecting the latest JS trends and innovations.
There’s more extensively written content elsewhere about picking a JavaScript framework to learn first. But it’s worth taking a look at some of the current players to understand what’s out there and how they can be used. Website bestofjs.org aggregates the user popularity of different JavaScript frameworks.
They do so from the coding site GitHub each year and then publish their findings. In 2017, the most popular JS frameworks were Vue, React, and Angular — a trio of JS frameworks that give a good overview of the framework skills employers are looking for.
1. Vue
Vue is a framework that was released in 2014 but has become increasingly popular over the last few years. In 2017, Vue’s star ranking (user “likes”) on GitHub reached 40,000 (up from 26,000 in 2016). Allowing it to vault into the number one spot ahead of second-place React (at 28,000 stars).
Vue’s accolades include a gradual learning curve (making it accessible to new JavaScript developers). This is an HTML-based syntax that allows users to write pages in standard HTML format (instead of requiring the user to learn a framework-specific language), and the option to apply as much or as little of the JavaScript framework to your project as you want.
2. React
While technically a JavaScript library, React has been at the top of bestofjs’ popularity charts for years, and as a result, React has a large base of industry adoption that’s reflected in developer hiring trends.
According to data collected by the programming Q&A forum Stack Overflow, jobs targeting developers with React skills grew more than 150 percent on their job boards between 2015 and 2016.
And just like Vue, React is designed for incremental implementation. Meaning it’s another tool that lets you use it as little or as much as you need. It also comes with a reputation for having a supportive developer community.
3. Angular
Finally, Angular is a complete 2016 rewrite of the Google-backed framework AngularJS. At number three on bestofjs’ 2017 list, an “Angular jobs” search on Indeed brings up over 14,000 job listings as of this writing. Angular has a somewhat steeper learning curve than frameworks like Vue.
Since it uses a framework-specific JS variant language called TypeScript. After all, you’ll also have to get familiar with it if you want to learn Angular. But, as you can see from the job listings, it’s a preferred standard for many employers.
Final Words,
The takeaway is that JavaScript frameworks are a powerful tool for saving time and structuring your JavaScript code. While the specific JavaScript framework you use will vary based on project requirements and employer preferences.
Whether you’re learning to code en route to a full-time career as a web developer or stockpiling tech skills to start a lucrative side hustle, JavaScript — as a scripting language — is your first choice. With JavaScript, you can create things!
Like photo slideshows, animated graphics, and interactive forms — thus, it needs to be high on your list of front-end development skills to learn.
Related Topic: JavaScript Tutorial for Beginners: Learn Javascript Step by Step
Furthermore, a solid foundation in the JavaScript language will make it easy for you to pick up framework skills when the need arises.
Also, because JavaScript (or JS) is at the heart of web development, it’s not surprising that it’s also at the forefront of developer jobs. And as an example, to support this — a search on site Indeed jobs for JavaScript jobs returns nearly 45,000 results as of this writing.
With Glassdoor reporting average base salaries for JavaScript developers at $72,500.
Other Useful Resources:
- Oracle Java Technologies
- Download Java For Linux
- JavaScript Courses & Tutorials | Codecademy
- Introduction to Java – W3Schools
- Java Tutorial – W3Schools
NB: Specifically, this tutorial has been prepared for JavaScript beginners. In that case, to help them understand the basic functionality of JavaScript. As well as to build dynamic web pages and web applications.
And as such, for this Javascript tutorial, it is assumed that the reader has prior knowledge and skills in HTML coding. Therefore, it would help if the reader had some prior exposure to object-oriented programming concepts. In addition to a general idea of creating online applications.
Finally, if you’ll need more support, you can Contact Us and let us know how we can help you. Also, feel free to share some of your additional opinions thoughts, suggestions, contributions, etc. Or any more questions in our comments section below this or other blog articles. We wish you the best!