Before you start this course, you will need a PC or laptop and an editor. We all know what is a PC and laptop, but may not know what a text editor is. An editor is a tool, a piece of programming software that enables you to write, run, and edit your program. You need them in this course because the course is practical and practice-based. One good thing about programming and software engineering is that most if not all the tools and materials are free, but you need to devote the time, concentration, and determination to succeed as the rewards and benefits are great.

Main Features

As JavaScript is an integral part of web development and applications, all browsers and web editors are embedded with the JavaScript engine. You can read, write, code, and run on any editor and web browser such as Firefox, Google, Chrome, Internet Explorer, and the host of them without the need for installing and configuring the JavaScript engine.

JavaScript is as popular as the World Wide Web because it is used in almost all websites and apps all over the world. The first point of contact of the World Wide Web is HTML and followed by CSS and thirdly JavaScript. It is a dynamic language and used by creative organisations for movies, games, animations, images, and other interactive applications such as emails, live chats, and other applications.

JavaScript’s engineers are sought all over the world and there is no limit to what you can do with JavaScript with a creative mind. It is in the top five programming languages in the world.

Content

JS Introduction
Choice of IDE
JS Syntax
JS Variables
JS Data types
JS Comments
JS Alert
JS Consol.logJS Arithmetic Operators
JS If statements
JS Else, else if statements
JS For Loop
JS While Loop

Software Engineering

Programming Language: JavaScript

JavaScript is a very powerful but core technology and lightweight front-end development language for interactive, web-pages and applications.

It creates elements for improving site visitors’ experience with web pages, such as dropdown menus, animations, graphics, and dynamic background colours.

JavaScript was created in 1995 by Brendan Eich while he was an engineer at Netscape. The first release was with Netscape 2 early in 1996.

It was originally going to be called LiveScript, but it was renamed to JavaScript to cash on the popularity of Sun Microsystem’s Java language which was taken over by the Oracle Plc.

JavaScript was originally designed to run on the browser but has now evolved to run on the server and any gadget that has the JavaScript engine with the aid of Node.js.

Popularity

JavaScript is as popular as the World Wide Web because it is used in almost all websites and apps all over the world. The first point of contact of the World Wide Web is the HTML and followed by the CSS and thirdly the JavaScript.

It is a dynamic language used by creative organizations for:

Movies;

Games;

Animations;

Images;

Emails;

Live Chats, etc.

JavaScript engineers/developers are sought all over the world and there is no limit to what you can do with JavaScript with a creative mind.

Framework and Libraries:

AngularJS, jQuery, and ReactJs.   – Frontend development frameworks -Increase productivity.

Backend Application

Node.js – Backend development and web servers.

Java and JavaScript

Very often we confuse ourselves with JavaScript and Java. However, both are programming languages but quite independent from each other. However, it is an interpreted language but uses a blend of compilers to be able to get the best performance. Every code has to be interpreted by the machine and compiled for human understanding.

ECMAScript

JavaScript is also sometimes confused with ECMAScript which is an International Europeans Computer Manufacturing Association known for setting standards for the Information Technology Industry.

The ECMAScript merely refers to the organization’s approval of JavaScript.

JavaScript was invented in 1995, and became an ECMA standard in 1997 and revised and reviewed annually.

JavaScript Engines

As JavaScript is an integral part of web development and applications, all browsers and web editors are embedded with the JavaScript engine.

You can read, write, code, and run on any editor and web browser such as Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and the host of them without the need of installing and configuring the JavaScript engine.

V8 – in Chrome, Opera, and Edge.

SpiderMonkey – in Firefox.

Others are “Chakra” for IE, “JavaScript Core”, “Nitro” and “SquirrelFish” for Safari, etc.

How the engine work:

1. The engine read/parses the code
2. Compiles and convert to machine code
3. Run and optimize the code.

//A JavaScript function is a block of JavaScript code, that can be executed when “called” for.

Scripts can be placed in the <body>, in the <head> section of an HTML page, or in both.

Features

• Simplicity ‒ easier to learn and implement,
• Speed ‒ JavaScript executes scripts directly within the web browser without connecting to a server
• Versatility ‒ Compatibility with other languages like PHP, Perl, Java, etc.
• Popularity ‒ large community and support groups.
• Server load ‒ Data validation can be done on the web browser.
• Dynamic ‒ New versions and features are reviewed and introduced every year.
• Fast – It is fast to load and run on the browser.

Security

Security ‒ JavaScript code that runs on the client side is vulnerable to exploitation by irresponsible users.

Node.js offer protection to the backend.

Modern JavaScript is a “safe” programming language. It does not provide low-level access to memory or the CPU, because it was initially created for browsers that do not require it.

How JavaScript Work

JavaScript is embedded directly in HTML and can run as the page is loaded.

It could be on the <header> or <body> or both.

Depending on the program, it runs with the HTML or event-driven when the mouse moves/hovers.

React to user actions, run on mouse clicks, pointer movements, and key presses.

Respond to requests over the network to remote servers.

Set cookies, remember, and get visitor information.

Keep track of visitor usage.