Introduction
JavaScript is a programming language that was designed
for the web. Many people don't understand that JavaScript is not the same
as Java, the programming language. In fact, Java and JavaScript couldn't
be more different. Java is very complicated, JavaScript is not. Regardless
of popular belief, JavaScript is not a condensed version of Java in any way.
One has nothing to do with the other.
JavaScript can be used to manipulate your webpages to perform a variety of
functions. Some of the applications are purely functional, while others are
just fun. In fact, you don't have to know any JavaScript at all, because
there are numerous scripts out there that you can simply grab and paste into
your HTML code.
But at the same time, if you want the JavaScript to be effective, and to
do what you want it to do, you do need to at least have a basic understanding
of JavaScript, how it is written, and how it works. This tutorial will provide
that information for you, starting with the very basics, and then working
into a few advanced topics. A working knowledge of the basics is necessary.
You do not, however, need to know HTML to learn JavaScript. It does help,
but it isn't necessary since JavaScript doesn't use HTML, even though it
is used with HTML. You do need to know how to work with your HTML documents,
however, because you will be pasting your scripts into the HTML code, and
you will need to know where to place the JavaScript. You do not need to know
any programming language to learn JavaScript. The entire concept and writing
of JavaScript is really quite simple.
What Can I Do With JavaScript?
As stated earlier, you can use JavaScript to perform
a variety of functions on your website. Some of the functions are just
functional, while the others are more fun in nature, providing interactivity
for your website visitors.
Face it. Nobody likes stale webpages that just sit there. They want to interact
with them dynamically. JavaScript allows this to happen. JavaScript reacts
to users actions in most cases. For instance, if the user moves their mouse
over some text or a graphic, JavaScript can perform a rollover and make that
graphic or text change to something else.
JavaScript can provide functionality, such as password protection, browser
detection, or display information, such as the correct time and date on a
webpage. JavaScript can be used to give the website designer more control
over a user's browser, and how that browser sees the webpages. There are
literally millions of things one can do with JavaScript.
What Do I Need To Write JavaScript?
Your own web browser must support JavaScript. If it doesn't,
you won't be able to tell if your scripts work. Newer versions of both Microsoft
Internet Explorer and Netscape both support JavaScript.
You can write your JavaScript using any plain text editor, or you can write
them directly into your HTML documents. It is of course better to use a plain
text editor so that you don't accidentally mess up any of your HTML coding.
An example of a plain text editor is Microsoft's Notepad.
The only other thing that is required to write JavaScript is a working knowledge
of JavaScript, which you will have as you work through this
tutorial!
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 JavaScript Tutorial: An Introduction
to JavaScript
The Basics of
JavaScript
JavaScript
Events
JavaScript
Variables and Arrays
JavaScript
Statements
JavaScript
Functions and Methods
JavaScript
Errors
JavaScript Food
Chain
Writing JavaScript
Code
JavaScript
Object Reference
JavaScript
Events Reference
JavaScript
Functions Reference
JavaScript
Math Object Reference
JavaScript Array Object
Reference
JavaScript String Object
Reference
JavaScript
Date Object Reference
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Development: A step by step guide to developing a successful Internet
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HTML
Codes Chart: Copy and paste HTML codes for your web page
HTML Tips:
Copy and paste special effect HTML codes for your web page
Web Design
Tips: Tips, tricks, and special effect codes for your web page
JavaScript
Code Snippets: Copy and paste special effect JavaScript codes for your
web page
216
Web Safe Color Chart: Hexadecimal and RGB Color Codes for your web page
ASCII Character
Codes Chart: American Standard Code for Information
Interchange character codes chart |
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