What is JavaScript? | Get to know the most popular scripting language.
JavaScript, or short JS, is one of three core web technologies to add dynamic elements and interactions to not only web pages but servers and applications as well. JS works perfectly on top of HTML and CSS, delivering features that CSS and HTML miss due to their simplicity. Unfortunately, JS is often underestimated, and sometimes even looked down upon - we will explain why that is, and why we at Peerigon think a bit differently about JS.
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is a universal language, which is supported by every browser. There’s no installation needed since users automatically get it when they download a browser of their choice. Learning JS is arguably fast and easy, but it depends on your knowledge of other programming languages. Learning it step by step by starting with HTML & CSS already gets you far.
JavaScript is used as client-side programming language by almost every website. From w3techs.com
How it started
JavaScript got serious backlash early on, nobody believed in the change it would bring and ultimately have on the web. Obviously, the early days weren’t easy: JS had to face some hurdles - being coined inefficient, lacking essential features, and more. These misconceptions still linger and even though JS went through a significant evolution, it never really got rid of these early accusations.
From quora.com
Today JavaScript is an essential part of our web experience. And with additions like node.js, it even conquered the server-side world of programming. JS keeps its foot in the programming landscape because it is so versatile. It also supports asynchronous functions which makes it convenient for complex use cases.
With time new languages appeared that are based on JavaScript: TypeScript is the most known, and attempts to bring strictly-typed annotations and variables. It is more of a tool for working with JS since, in the end, you will still work with a JS-based language. So to understand TypeScript you have to learn JavaScript anyway.
JavaScript enables rich user experiences, it is the foundation of the modern web
Why we use JavaScript, and why you should too!
We see ourselves as experts when it comes to JavaScript. Not only do we work with it daily and provide up-to-date and in-depth workshops, but we also understand the language and its history very well, too. Our experience dates back to ECMAScript 6, and we have been amazed by JavaScript ever since. ECMAScript is the specification behind JavaScript and other scripting languages. It was founded by Brendan Eich - the same person who founded JavaScript and the Mozilla Foundation as well.
ECMAScript 6 was a turning point
With ECMAScript 6 (ES6) constructors were introduced to JS. Those were TypeScript exclusive until then just like classes, modules, and anonymous functions. This shows how JS keeps improving itself and implements features that benefit the current needs of developers whether they do front- or back-end, or server-side/client-side software development.
Besides constructors, arrow functions, modules and template literals were new. Those were quality-of-life additions that made the syntax shorter and more compact. Classes as an object-orientated paradigm, as well as two new built-in objects ‚Map‘ and ‚Set‘ were also part of this update.
// Before ES6
function Car(make, model) {
this.make = make;
this.model = model;
}
// With ES6
class Car {
constructor(make, model) {
this.make = make;
this.model = model;
}
Example: Classes got introduced in ES6
This update was the greatest and most influential update since 1999 when universal browser support was specified.
Take your team to the next level and train your JavaScript knowledge. Drop us an email. We are looking forward to it!
Your contact person: Michael Jaser, Co-Founder
So, how powerful is JavaScript actually?
As mentioned before, JS is versatile and can be implemented in various ways according to your needs. Some of the main usages are:
It‘s a wrap!
While JavaScript has its flaws, we highly believe that its true potential gets underestimated. Our goal is to show how great JavaScript actually is, and that it can, besides all the Memes and Jokes, in fact be an all-in-one solution for your business needs. JavaScript has evolved from a simple scripting language to the backbone of modern web development. It's no longer just for client-side scripting; JavaScript is a serious programming language capable of handling complex projects across the web stack.
Flexibility: JavaScript works with other technologies (HTML, CSS) to create interactive, dynamic user experiences.
Universal validity: It runs on nearly every web browser without the need for additional plugins, ensuring your applications can reach a wide audience.
Full-Stack Development: With Node.js, developers can use JavaScript both on the client and server sides, simplifying the development process.
Rich Ecosystem: The vast library of frameworks and tools (React, Angular, Vue.js) enables rapid development of high-quality applications.
Continuous Evolution: Regular updates to ECMAScript introduce new features and improvements, keeping JavaScript modern and powerful.
Community Support: A large, active community means abundant resources, shared knowledge, and readily available support.
A strong partner for JavaScript apps
Our software developers use methods where they make sense. Whether it's helping a start-up with setup or a seamless transfer of existing codebases into JavaScript: Just ask us!
Peerigon: the company for bespoke software development.
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