JavaScript

What Is JavaScript?

JavaScript is one of the most-used programming languages. According to Northeastern University, it’s the second-most popular coding language out there. Clearly, JavaScript is an integral part of our daily online lives. But what is JavaScript exactly and what can you use it for? Together with HTML and CSS, JavaScript is one of the three core components of the internet. Any website you visit is bound to use a combination of these three programming languages, each with its own particular purpose. Let’s have a look at them in more detail.

In other word JavaScript is a text-based programming language that allows you to create interactive elements on your web page. The World Wide Web as we know it looks nothing like the early days of grey boxes and walls of text. Nowadays, we can’t imagine browsing the web without interactive websites, clickable buttons, and online video games. The ways we interact with the internet have radically changed over the years and, for the most part, it’s all down to JavaScript. But all these new gadgets and gizmos are also putting a much larger strain on our browsers than ever before. In other words, the rise of JavaScript has also made keeping an eye on your site performance a crucial part of any online strategy.  Before we can get into that, though, let’s take a closer look at what JavaScript is and what it does for your website.

What Is JavaScript Used For?

Of course, JavaScript wouldn’t be a cornerstone of the programming world if it was just about pressing buttons. The practical applications of JavaScript are almost endless, but we’ve highlighted some of the most common uses down below.

Interactive Websites

Wherever a user interacts with something on a website, it’s most likely thanks to JavaScript. Some of the many things JavaScript can help with include:

• Drop-down menus to help your users make the right choice
• Image carousels to scroll through engaging content
• Animations to add some spice
• Audio and video at the click of a button
• Pop-ups to keep your visitors active
• Chat widgets that let your users reach out to you
• And so much more

Creating engaging websites is JavaScript’s greatest strength, but that’s not all.

Let’s have a quick look at what else you can do with JavaScript.

Video Games

JavaScript is all about interaction, and what’s more interactive than a video game?

In recent years, some incredibly talented programmers have been using the same scripting language that powers your website to create action-packed adventures and brain-breaking strategy puzzles.

And because JavaScript and the World Wide Web are such a match made in heaven, you can actually play most of these games straight from your browser!

Web and Mobile Apps

Another powerful use of the JavaScript programming language is creating versatile apps that can fulfill all sorts of needs. In fact, chances are you use one of the many web or mobile applications created with JavaScript every day.  For example, did you know that Netflix, Uber, and PayPal were all built on JavaScript