JavaScript is a dynamic scripting language that has been around for over fifteen years, having first been designed by Brendan Eich in 1995. As well as its use for the creation of creating dynamic websites and user interfaces, it can also be used outside of the world of the internet, with its other uses also encompassing desktop widgets and PDF documents. It is this flexibility that has caused JavaScript to become one of the most widely used scripting languages in the world today.

The advantages of JavaScript

There are a multitude of advantages that those familiar with JavaScript can enjoy, which will lead to an increase in their programming skill and consequently work that is of a much higher standard.

The genius of JavaScript is that, once written, it is incredibly simple to implement, requiring only a basic amount of knowledge. With the easy task of putting the code in to the HTML and then ensuring the browser is aware that it is JavaScript, the whole process is complete! Whilst on the subject of browsers, JavaScript can automatically tell what browser is being used and make adjustments accordingly – commonly known as defensive scripting.

Finally – and most critically – JavaScript can allow the user to create extremely responsive interfaces that enhance the general browsing experience, as well as functionally being very dynamic. JavaScript is not limited to these benefits, however, as there are a number of smaller but just as significant features that can be used by programmers for a variety of different reasons. Whilst JavaScript was, until recently, laughed at by more serious programmers, it is now coming in to its own and proving itself to be a great tool.