Uses of Javascript
Before you start learning something new, it’s important to understand exactly what it is and what it does. This is especially useful when it comes to mastering a new programming language. One of the sole purposes of learning to write code is to build or do things. That makes it very important to know the capabilities of any programming language. When you see the kind of applications you can create, it becomes easier to invest time in learning it. You’ll also become more assured that you’re on the path that appeals most to you.“When purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable.” Myles Munroe
Have you ever wondered, ‘what is JavaScript used for?
What is Javascript?
JavaScript is the Programming Language for the Web which can be used to update both HTML and CSS, it also performs all the logic, so you can do validations, calculations, manipulation of data.
In most cases, JavaScript is used to create responsive, interactive elements for web pages, enhancing the user experience. JavaScript is mainly used for web-based applications and web browsers. But JavaScript is also used beyond the Web in software, servers and embedded hardware controls. Here are some basic things JavaScript is used for:
1. Web Development
JavaScript is a logic-based programming language that can be used to modify website content and make it behave in different ways in response to a user’s actions. Common uses for JavaScript include confirmation boxes, calls-to-action, and adding new identities to existing information. For example, show or hide more information with the click of a button,change the color of a button when the mouse hovers over it, slide through a carousel of images on the homepage and lots more.
2. Web Application
Developers can use various JavaScript frameworks for developing and building web. JavaScript frameworks are collections of JavaScript code libraries that provide developers with pre-written code to use for routine programming features and tasks — literally a framework to build websites or web applications around. As browsers and personal computers have continued to improve, so, too, has the abilities to create robust web applications. Just think of applications like Google Maps. If you want to explore a map in Google Maps, all you have to do is click and drag with the mouse. You may see a part of the map that is less detailed that then fills itself in. That’s JavaScript at work behind the scenes.
3. Web servers and developing server applications
Beyond websites and apps, developers can also use JavaScript to build simple web servers and develop the back-end infrastructure using Node.js. Javascript is used to handle HTTP requests and generate contents. When a user is writing thick applications in JavaScript on the client then a user may even write the logic in JavaScript on the server so that cognitive leaps can be done from one language to the other.
4. Mobile Applications
The most important thing that can be done by the uses of javascript is building applications without web contexts. Mobiles being mostly available in Apple and Android two different languages are used to build these. It should be possible to write once and use it on both platforms of these devices. PhoneGap is the framework which enables this. Also recently we have React native that serves this purpose. It is the major player in cross-platform changes and deployments. Hence uses of Javascript can be used to deploy and download the respective applications across cross environments.
5. Game development
Of course, you can also use JavaScript to create browser games. These are a great way for beginning developers to practice their JavaScript skills. If you find the development of applications quite boring and want to create some games, JavaScript is also capable of building web games. There are enough frameworks and libraries that you can use to make a game, be it a 2D or 3D game.
6. Artificial Intelligence
You can use JavaScript to work on AI-related projects. With the tensorflow.js machine learning library, you can do AI stuff using JavaScript. Many AI companies these days use Python or Scala and JavaScript. JavaScript was built for security, very quick to develop and it has a great pool of affordable talent. This makes it a great deployment framework for AI.
7. Presentations
Reveal.js, Impress.js are pretty powerful frameworks you can use to create beautiful slide decks. The advantage is that they are easy to use; so you can make something amazing in a couple of minutes.
In conclusion, JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. Nowadays, JavaScript is an all-purpose programming language, meaning it runs across the entire software stack.
Although it was designed to help front-end web developers create interactive elements, the use cases of JavaScript have rapidly expanded to include things like back-end web development, game creation, and even mobile app development and lots more.
The world of web development is constantly moving. With so many new tools popping up all the time, it can be extremely difficult to know where you should focus your efforts. As an aspiring developer, you’ll want to make sure that what you’re learning is still relevant in today’s industry.
