JavaScript is a scripting
language that you can use on your web pages to make them look more dynamic.
JavaScript is a lightweight, cross-platform, loosely typed, multi-use
programming language that allows HTML designers to add interactivity to
HTML pages. Before you learn to use JavaScript, you must have some HTML
programming experience. HTML generally produces static web pages, while
JavaScript is used to provide dynamic features generally expected of modern
websites. JavaScript has the advantage of being a scripting language available in almost all modern browsers.
JavaScript allows
you to have more control to your web pages and add dynamic features to
your web pages. For example, you can change text, change colors, add drop-down
lists add clocks and timers, animate page elements, validate form input
and track a user browsing your site. It can also be used to add certain
basic tasks such as: redirecting the user to another page, storing information
about the user or displaying dynamic menus.
The object oriented
JavaScript is a client-side language. This means that the client-side
objects are created when the browser is loaded and the application does
not have to contact the server and wait for the server’s response. JavaScript
makes the client side operations such as data input validations really
fast. Besides, JavaScript can react to user events such as mouse click
events and page pointing events.
JavaScript
is a purely object oriented scripting language that is very popular. It
should not be confused with Java programming language. Both are quite
different in their basic concepts and designs. The developers of both
the languages are also different. Java is developed by Sun Microsystems
and is much more powerful and complex language whereas, JavaScript is
developed and maintained by (European Computer Manufacturers Association
(ECMA) and isn't really tough to learn and use. JavaScript is standardized
by Netscape. Another version of JavaScript, implemented by Microsoft is
called Jscript.
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