Learn javascript

For those who want to start a career in software engineering, it is common to wonder what programming languages they need to learn.

The truth is that learning to program is a necessary but not sufficient condition to dedicate oneself to the development of web and mobile applications.

A software developer requires several skills, among which are certain programming languages.

A web or mobile application has a well-defined architecture, in two parts, the front end (the part that interacts with the user on the mobile device) and the back end (the part that runs on the company’s server). And each of these two parts uses specific programming languages:

HTML and CSS are the two browser languages and common to all (or the vast majority) of web sites.

JavaScript. Front-end language par excellence and back-end along with specific tools (MERN, Mongo, db, Express, REACT, Node.js).

JAVA. Back-end language used by large corporations worldwide.

In this article we will explain JavaScript, its functions and tools.

Why learn JavaScript

JavaScript is one of the most widely used coding languages in the world, in fact, we can say that, without exaggeration, the entire web depends on JavaScript. If you are not familiar with the architecture of applications, you should know that they are composed of a front end the part that interacts with the user, and a back endthe part that works on the server. JavaScript is the front end language par excellence. Along with HTML and CSS, the languages used by browsers, almost all front end applications are programmed in JavaScript.

Applications that we use every day such as Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, among social networks, eCommerce online stores and news websites, to name a few examples, are built with JavaScript. In short, many websites of important brands use this language in their front end.

JavaScript. The language that changed the web.

One May 1995, Brendan Eich invented a new programming language. He did it against the clock. And after 10 days without much sleep, he presented the result to Netscape. It was the original version of JavaScript. The programming language that changed the web, designed to be interpreted directly in the browser, and written by software developers and graphic designers alike.

JavaScript is now the most widely used programming language on the front end of applications and, according to Stack Overflow surveys , has been for the last ten years. JavaScript is the language that makes the web interactive. It’s accessible to beginners because you can write two lines of code and see the results before you. In a sense, it democratizes, because you don’t need to go to college to learn it. Actually, you don’t need to go to university to learn any programming language, that’s what code academies like Ubiqum are for.

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a high-level, interpreted, object-oriented programming language used primarily to create interactivity in web pages. As a core language in web development, JavaScript allows dynamic manipulation of HTML and CSS elements, enabling the creation of dynamic web applications and interactive user experiences.

JavaScript features and highlights:

  1. Interpreted Language: JavaScript is interpreted by web browsers, which means that it is executed in real time, directly in the client environment, without the need for prior compilation.
  2. Object Oriented: It is based on an object-oriented programming paradigm, allowing the creation of objects, methods and properties to organize and structure the code.
  3. Events and DOM Manipulation: JavaScript facilitates the dynamic manipulation of the Document Object Model (DOM), allowing interaction with the elements of a web page, such as modifying its content, style and behavior in response to user events.
  4. High-Level Functions: Provides advanced function handling capabilities, including anonymous functions, higher-order functions, and the ability to pass functions as parameters to other functions.
  5. Libraries and Frameworks: There are numerous JavaScript libraries and frameworks, such as jQuery, React, Angular and Vue.js, which facilitate the development of complex applications, speeding up the creation process and optimizing the code structure.
  6. Asynchronism and Callbacks: JavaScript is known for its ability to execute operations asynchronously, allowing tasks such as requests to remote servers without blocking the user interface.
  7. Broad Compatibility: It is compatible with most modern browsers, ensuring wide adoption and widespread use in web development.

JavaScript is essential in the development of interactive online experiences, from simple web applications to complex software platforms. Its versatility and ability to enhance the interactivity of web pages make it a central component in today’s modern web environment.

Vanilla JavaScript

Vanilla JavaScript is a lightweight implementation of the pure JavaScript language with no added libraries. Here, the term “vanilla” refers to simple and pure JavaScript.

Many major companies use Vanilla JS, including Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and others. Vanilla JavaScript is an excellent way to learn the basics of JavaScript programming before adding the more advanced functionality and features offered in the libraries. At Ubiqum you will spend three full weeks (140 hours) programming with vanilla.JS to get the basics of programming down.

JavaScript Libraries (Frameworks)

A JavaScript library is a collection of pre-written code that performs certain functions. Libraries allow even novice users to quickly build useful websites. And they save both novice and experienced users considerable time in building sites and applications.

Although there are many JavaScript libraries, some of the most popular are REACT, Angular and Vue. At Ubiqum you will learn how to work in REACT.

Relationship between JavaScript, APIs, and other JavaScript tools

JavaScript is complemented by a series of tools (Api,s and frameworks) that make the construction of websites much more agile and efficient. All these elements are part of Ubiqum’s Web Development with JavaScript course .

    • Browser APIs – Browser-integrated constructs created with the JavaScript language that make it much easier to implement functionality.
    • Third-party APIs – Builds integrated into third-party platforms (e.g. Twitter, Facebook) that allow you to use some of that platform’s functionality on your web pages (such as displaying your latest Tweets on your web page).
    • JavaScript libraries – Usually one or more JavaScript files containing custom functions that you can add to your web page to speed up or enable the writing of common functionality.
    • JavaScript Frameworks – The next step up from libraries, JavaScript frameworks (such as REACT and Angular) are typically packages of HTML, CSS, JavaScript and other technologies that are installed and then used to write a complete web application from scratch.

In the Web Development with JavaScript course you will use all these elements in a coherent and systematic way.

JavaScript as a backend language

In recent years JavaScript has advanced exponentially as a programming language. As we already know, JavaScript was and still is used mainly to add interaction to our web applications, that is, it was only executed and interpreted by the web browser, but everything changed thanks to the release of Node.js. Node.js is a JavaScript code execution environment that makes use of V8, the Google Chrome engine that is written in C++ and was launched in 2009 by Ryan Dahl.

One of the best features of Node.js is that it is cross-platform, thanks to this we can run JavaScript on any platform whether on Server, Desktop, Mobile or Web.

Node.js together with React, Mongo.db and Express form the MERN acronym, which is the architecture that will allow you to develop the back end of applications using JavaScript as the main language.

You already have all the information about JavaScript and why it is a language you need to learn to start your career in the world of software engineering. In Ubiqum’s 480-hour, 12-week Web Development with JavaScript/MERN course, 480 hours in 12 weeks, you will learn all these languages and tools to start your career in technology. Don’t worry, although it may seem very complex now, our course is designed for beginners, the vast majority of our students have not written a single line of code when they start at Ubiqum and at the end they find work as software developers. If you want to check it out, talk to them and ask them: testimonials.

Interested in learning JavaScript from scratch? Request a two-week free trial.

We are waiting for you, contact Ubiqum and our consultants will explain in detail the importance of knowing this programming language to access the labor market through the big door.

In Ubiqum Code Academy we can help you because we are a high performance center for beginners in learning web development and data analytics with an intensive methodology 100% practical. Do not hesitate to ask us for information. Fill out the attached form and you will receive all the information you need.

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