JavaScript: Use Cases

What is Javascript?

JavaScript is a programming language commonly used in web development. It was originally developed by Netscape as a means to add dynamic and interactive elements to websites.

JavaScript is a client-side scripting language, which means the source code is processed by the client’s web browser rather than on the web server. This means JavaScript functions can run after a webpage has loaded without communicating with the server. For example, a JavaScript function may check a web form before it is submitted to make sure all the required fields have been filled out. The JavaScript code can produce an error message before any information is actually transmitted to the server.

Like server-side scripting languages, such as PHP and ASP, JavaScript code can be inserted anywhere within the HTML of a webpage. However, only the output of server-side code is displayed in the HTML, while JavaScript code remains fully visible in the source of the webpage. It can also be referenced in a separate .JS file, which may also be viewed in a browser.

Where HTML and CSS are languages that give structure and style to web pages, JavaScript gives web pages interactive elements that engage a user.

Below is an example of a basic JavaScript function that multiplies two numbers. The function is called with the parameters 5 and 10.

<script>
function product(a,b)
{
return a * b;
}
var result = product(5,10);
document.write(result);
</script>

JavaScript functions can be called within <script> tags or when specific events take place. Examples include onClick, onMouseDown, onMouseUp, onKeyDown, onKeyUp, onFocus, onBlur, onSubmit, and many others. While standard JavaScript is still used for performing basic client-side functions, many web developers now prefer to use JavaScript libraries like jQuery to add more advanced dynamic elements to websites.

A High Level Definition

JavaScript is a scripting or programming language that allows you to implement complex features on web pages — every time a web page does more than just static display of items such as displaying timely content updates, interactive maps, animated 2D/3D graphics, scrolling video jukeboxes, etc. JavaScript is probably involved.

Why use JavaScript over other programming languages?

Aside from the unlimited possibilities, there are many reasons for web developers to use JavaScript over other programming languages:

• JavaScript is the only programming language native to the web browser
• JavaScript is the most popular language
• There’s a low threshold to get started
• It’s a fun language to learn

Advantages of JavaScript

• Speed. Client-side JavaScript is very fast because it can be run immediately within the client-side browser. Unless outside resources are required, JavaScript is unhindered by network calls to a backend server.
• Simplicity. JavaScript is relatively simple to learn and implement.
• Popularity. JavaScript is used everywhere on the web.
• Interoperability. JavaScript plays nicely with other languages and can be used in a huge variety of applications.
• Server Load. Being client-side reduces the demand on the website server.
• Gives the ability to create rich interfaces.

What is JavaScript used for?

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 Applications

As day-by-day there is a continuous improvement in the browsers, so JavaScript gained popularity for making robust web applications. We can understand it by taking the example of Google Maps. In Maps user just requires to click and drag the mouse; the details are visible just by a click. There is a use of JavaScript behind these concepts.

2. Web Development

JavaScript is commonly used for creating web pages. It allows us to add dynamic behavior to the webpage and add special effects to the webpage. On websites, it is mainly used for validation purposes. JavaScript helps us to execute complex actions and also enables the interaction of websites with visitors. Using JavaScript, it is also possible to load the content in a document without reloading the webpage.

3. Mobile Applications

Now a day’s mobile devices are broadly used for accessing the internet. Using JavaScript, we can also build an application for non-web contexts. The features and uses of JavaScript make it a powerful tool for creating mobile applications. The React Native is the widely used JavaScript framework for creating mobile applications. Using React Native, we can build mobile applications for different operating systems. We do not require writing different codes for the iOS and Android operating systems. We only need to write it once and run it on different platforms.

4. Game

JavaScript is also used for creating games. It has various libraries and frameworks for creating a game. The game can either be a 2D or 3D. Some JavaScript game engines such as PhysicsJS, Pixi.js help us to create a web game. We can also use the WebGL (web graphics library), which is the JavaScript API to render 2D and 3D images on browsers.

5. Presentations

JavaScript also helps us to create presentations as a website. The libraries, such as RevealJs, and BespokeJs, can be used to create a web-based slide deck. They are easier to use, so we can easily make something amazing in a short time.

The Reveal.js is used to create interactive and beautiful slide decks with the help of HTML. These presentations work great with mobile devices and tablets. It also supports all of the CSS color formats. The BespokeJS includes animated bullet lists, responsive scaling, and a wide variety of features.

6. Server Applications

A large number of web applications have a server-side to them. JavaScript is used to generate content and handle HTTP requests. JavaScript can also run on servers through Node.js. The Node.js provides an environment containing the necessary tools required for JavaScript to run on servers.

7. Web Servers

A web server can be created by using Node.js. Node.js is event-driven and not waits for the response of the previous call. The servers created using Node.js are fast and don’t use buffering and transfer chunks of data. The HTTP module can be used to create the server by using the createServer() method. This method executes when someone tries to access the port 8080. As a response, the HTTP server should display HTML and should be included in the HTTP header.

Conclusion

JavaScript’s popularity is tied to its unwavering utility in today’s technological environment.

Its object-oriented framework helps developers code with dynamic functions in mind, resulting in an interactive experience for any given user.

Taking webpages from disenchanted to engaging, JavaScript’s versatility suits both front-end and back-end development.

Many examples of JavaScript demonstrate its proficiency in this capacity.