JavaScript Introduction

JavaScript is the most popular scripting language on the internet, and works in all
major browsers, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, pera, and Safari!
"hat #ou Should $lread% &now
'efore %ou continue %ou should have a basic understanding of the following(
)*+, - .)*+,
If %ou want to stud% these subjects first, find the tutorials on our )ome page!
"hat is JavaScript/
JavaScript was designed to add interactivit% to )*+, pages
JavaScript is a scripting language
$ scripting language is a lightweight programming language
JavaScript is usuall% embedded directl% into )*+, pages
JavaScript is an interpreted language 0means that scripts execute without preliminar%
compilation1
Ever%one can use JavaScript without purchasing a license
$re Java and JavaScript the same/
23
Java and JavaScript are two completel% different languages in both concept and design3
Java 0developed b% Sun +icros%stems1 is a powerful and much more complex programming
language 4 in the same categor% as C and C55!
"hat can a JavaScript do/
JavaScript gives HTML designers a programming tool - )*+, authors are normall%
not programmers, but JavaScript is a scripting language with a ver% simple s%ntax3 $lmost
an%one can put small 6snippets6 of code into their )*+, pages
JavaScript can put dynamic text into an HTML page - $ JavaScript statement like this(
document!write067h896 5 name 5 67-h8961 can write a variable text into an )*+, page
JavaScript can react to events - $ JavaScript can be set to execute when something
happens, like when a page has finished loading or when a user clicks on an )*+, element
JavaScript can read and write HTML elements - $ JavaScript can read and change the
content of an )*+, element
JavaScript can be used to validate data - $ JavaScript can be used to validate form
data before it is submitted to a server! *his saves the server from extra processing
JavaScript can be used to detect the visitor's browser 4 $ JavaScript can be used to
detect the visitor:s browser, and 4 depending on the browser 4 load another page specificall%
designed for that browser
JavaScript can be used to create cookies 4 $ JavaScript can be used to store and
retrieve information on the visitor:s computer
*he ;eal 2ame is EC+$Script
JavaScript:s official name is EC+$Script!
EC+$Script is developed and maintained b% the EC+$ organi<ation!
EC+$4=>= is the official JavaScript standard!
*he language was invented b% 'rendan Eich at 2etscape 0with 2avigator =!?1, and has appeared in
all 2etscape and +icrosoft browsers since 8@@>!
*he development of EC+$4=>= started in 8@@>, and the first edition of was adopted b% the EC+$
Aeneral $ssembl% in June 8@@B!
*he standard was approved as an international IS 0IS-IEC 8>=>=1 standard in 8@@C!
*he development of the standard is still in progress!