Introduction to JavaScript

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a client side, prototype based scripting language. It is interpreted by web browsers. It makes a web page dynamic. So HTML specifies structure and content, CSS specifies presentation and JavaScript specifies behaviour of a web-page.

What JavaScript can do?

JavaScript can make your web page more dynamic. It can be used to make web applications. It can even be used to create web based games. With the development of node.js, JavaScript can also be used to store value inside a database. Hence no more client side limitation.

Evolution of JavaScript

JavaScript was developed by Brendan Eich while he was working at Netscape in the year 1995. JavaScript became default language of web after the existence of HTML 5.

JavaScript was initially named as LiveScript. It was renamed to JavaScript. Microsoft introduced their own version of JavaScript named as JScript. Later on around 1997, European Computer Manufacturers Association standardized the language and named it as ECMAScript. But still the language is popular with the name JavaScript.

Tools for writing JavaScript programs

JavaScript programs can be written using same tools as that for writing html/css docs. For learning purpose, use notepad or notepad++.

Extension of a JavaScript Document

External JavaScript documents have .js extension. So while saving your JavaScript documents make sure that you put .js at the end of your file name.