devxlogo

JavaScript: Definition, Examples

Definition

JavaScript is a high-level, interpreted programming language primarily used to enhance web pages to provide interactive elements. It is one of the core technologies of the World Wide Web, along with HTML and CSS. JavaScript enables interactive web development by allowing the creation and control of dynamic content like animated graphics, photo slideshows, and form validation.

Phonetic

The phonetic spelling of “JavaScript” would be: /ˈdʒɑːvəˌskrɪpt/

Key Takeaways

Three Main Takeaways About JavaScript

  1. Dynamic and Versatile: JavaScript makes a webpage dynamic by allowing the manipulation of HTML elements and CSS styles, making it react to the user’s actions like clicking a button, submitting a form etc. It is also used extensively in backend development, game development, and in creating mobile applications.
  2. Interpretive Language: JavaScript is an interpreted language. This means that it doesn’t need a compiler to translate its code into machine-readable code. The browser reads and executes the code line by line allowing it to be more flexible and forgiving in its execution.
  3. Prototype-Based Object-Oriented: Unlike classical object-oriented languages, JavaScript follows a prototype-based model which does not involve classes. Instead, JavaScript uses functions to create objects and utilizes prototypes for inheritance.

Importance

JavaScript is important in the technology industry because it’s a fundamental component of web development, making websites interactive and dynamic. It’s a client-side programming language, meaning it runs on the user’s web browser without the need for constant server communication. This reduces server load and allows for smooth, real-time updates on web pages, providing a better user experience. Furthermore, JavaScript is versatile. Apart from enhancing website interactivity, it’s used in mobile app development, game development, and server-side programming. It also has a large, active user community, making it easier to find support and resources when needed. For these reasons, JavaScript is a key skill for developers to master.

Explanation

JavaScript is a powerful technology primarily utilized to enhance interactivity and responsiveness of websites, creating a dynamic user experience. Web developers use JavaScript, often abbreviated as JS, to control webpage behaviors and interactions, such as form submissions, content updates, or animated graphics. It serves the purpose of making websites more engaging, customizable, and user-friendly, providing a better user interface. Therefore, it enhances the capabilities of HTML and CSS, going beyond static page content to enable implementation of interactive features.Moreover, JavaScript also finds its use in server-side development, mobile application development, and game development. The emergence of environments like Node.js has broadened JavaScript capabilities to include server-side scripting, allowing developers to build and control web servers with JavaScript. In terms of mobile app development, frameworks such as React Native and Ionic rely on JavaScript. Meanwhile, for game development, it serves as a crucial tool to power WebGL for 3D graphics. It’s a versatile and widely-used technology, playing an integral role in many aspects of digital design and function.

Examples

1. Web Development: One of the most prominent examples of JavaScript in the real world is its use in web development. Almost every interactive element on a web page is made possible because of JavaScript. It enables dynamic content, like interactive maps, animated graphics, scrolling videos, forms validations, and responsive navigation menus. Websites like Google Maps, YouTube, and Facebook use JavaScript to provide user-friendly features and enhanced interactivity.2. Online Gaming: JavaScript is also used in the creation of browser-based online games. Games like Bejeweled, CrossCode, and HexGL are developed using JavaScript, providing quick, interactive games without the need for users to install additional software or plugins to play.3. Mobile Applications: Many mobile applications use JavaScript for their development. An example is the use of React Native, a JavaScript framework, for the creation of native mobile applications. Apps including Facebook, Instagram, and Skype are all developed with JavaScript-based frameworks, allowing developers to write code that can be ported to multiple platforms, reducing development time and resources.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

**Q: What is JavaScript?**A: JavaScript is a high-level, interpreted programming language that enables interactive web pages. It is a key technology alongside HTML and CSS in web development.**Q: Is JavaScript similar to Java?**A: Despite the similar names, JavaScript is not related to Java. They are both programming languages but have different design goals and uses.**Q: How is JavaScript used in web development?**A: JavaScript allows interactivity on websites. It can handle things like creating content updates, controlling multimedia, animated graphics, and various other tasks on the web page that can occur without the page reloading.**Q: Do I need to download anything to use JavaScript?**A: No, JavaScript is run on the user’s browser and doesn’t need any compilers or special software to function.**Q: Is JavaScript secure?**A: Like any other programming language, JavaScript is as secure as the development and implementation practices behind it. Security depends on the practices followed by the developers.**Q: Can JavaScript work with other programming languages?**A: Yes, JavaScript can interface with other languages, most commonly with server-side languages, to handle tasks like database queries.**Q: Is JavaScript essential to learn for web development?**A: While it’s possible to create static web pages without JavaScript, learning JavaScript is highly recommended for anyone interested in web development as it is a key tool for creating dynamic and interactive web content.**Q: Can JavaScript be used to create software applications?**A: Although JavaScript was traditionally a web-based scripting language, the development and introduction of frameworks like Electron and Node.js have enabled JavaScript to be used for software and server-side applications.**Q: How does JavaScript interact with HTML and CSS?**A: HTML is the structure of your website, CSS styles your website, and JavaScript provides functionality. JavaScript can be used to manipulate the HTML elements and CSS styles on your page. **Q: Can all browsers run JavaScript?**A: Most modern web browsers support JavaScript. However, it can be disabled in a browser’s settings. If disabled, the JavaScript code on web pages will not run.

Related Tech Terms

  • Node.js
  • ECMAScript
  • jQuery
  • Ajax
  • JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)

Sources for More Information

devxblackblue

About The Authors

The DevX Technology Glossary is reviewed by technology experts and writers from our community. Terms and definitions continue to go under updates to stay relevant and up-to-date. These experts help us maintain the almost 10,000+ technology terms on DevX. Our reviewers have a strong technical background in software development, engineering, and startup businesses. They are experts with real-world experience working in the tech industry and academia.

See our full expert review panel.

These experts include:

devxblackblue

About Our Editorial Process

At DevX, we’re dedicated to tech entrepreneurship. Our team closely follows industry shifts, new products, AI breakthroughs, technology trends, and funding announcements. Articles undergo thorough editing to ensure accuracy and clarity, reflecting DevX’s style and supporting entrepreneurs in the tech sphere.

See our full editorial policy.

More Technology Terms

Technology Glossary

See full glossary
Table of Contents