What You Need To Know Before Learning Javascript

Beginners who are learning a language like JavaScript, especially on their own, often make mistakes in the code that prevent them from learning efficiently, quickly, and most importantly, correctly. Today’s article points out common misconceptions about the JavaScript language and provides some guidance for beginner programmers.

JavaScript and Java

It’s often a myth among beginners that Java and JavaScript are closely related. This is not true. In fact, they are similar except for the four letters in the name and the C-like syntax. How the name JavaScript was formed, Wikipedia knows very well.

The language was originally called LiveScript and was intended for both client-side programming and server-side programming (where it was to be called LiveWire). The syntax was influenced by C and Java, and since Java was a buzzword at the time, LiveScript was renamed to JavaScript on December 4, 1995, licensed from Sun.

JavaScript is an object-oriented scripting language and is not used to develop standalone applications or applets. It is most often found in HTML documents and only runs in browsers. Java, on the other hand, is an object-oriented programming language and is used to create applications that run both in browsers and in virtual machines. In addition, Java code needs to be compiled, while JavaScript is an interpreted language.

Learning HTML and CSS

For some, this may already seem logical and self-evident, but it’s still worth paying attention to – before you start learning JavaScript, you need to learn to understand the HTML markup language and the CSS style language, because JS interacts closely with them.

Formatting style

If you can get into the habit of sticking to one code formatting style, your code will be easy to read and understand. This includes ways to arrange curly braces, the use of indents and spaces, etc. All this does not affect the operation of the code, but it will be easier for you to understand it later.

Understandable names

There are situations when the JS code consists of a large number of lines. In order not to forget what exactly a variable was declared for at the beginning of the code, it is better to give it a meaningful name.

Study of other works

Sometimes it happens that the developer gets into a dead end and does not know how to solve the problem further. Then he starts looking for clues and solutions from others. This is not a call to borrow someone else’s code, you can just familiarize yourself with it and maybe even come up with a better way. In addition, in this way you will learn to understand the code written by another person, since there are situations when you have to refine and correct someone else’s work.

Debugging tools and frameworks

If your script is not working properly, and you don’t know what’s wrong and are on the verge of a nervous breakdown, use useful tools for web developers.

Dedicate time to learning frameworks – this will save you from having to write boilerplate code and worry about cross-browser compatibility. Many projects have been implemented using frameworks, and it may happen that you need to correct or finish something in them.

Finding Simple Solutions

Reinventing the wheel can be rewarding, except when it comes to real, real projects. A smart approach is needed here. If you need to implement any task, first look for ready-made solutions. If you do not do this and start solving the problem yourself, it may turn out that your code is too long and tricky, and everything could fit in two simple lines.

Conclusion

When starting to learn JavaScript, do not be afraid of mistakes and do not give up, because going through a difficult learning path, you gain valuable experience and knowledge. We wish you creative success!