JavaScript is a programming language widely used in developing websites, applications, and games. We have discussed Java Programming in the previous post.

You can create an attractive website display or develop popular web-based online games by mastering this programming language.

Don’t worry, because, in this article, you will learn about what JavaScript is, its functions, its advantages, and how it works. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the discussion!

What is JavaScript Programming?

JavaScript is a popular programming language used to create websites with dynamic website content. More than 67.7% of developers use JavaScript, you know!

Dynamic content means content can move or change in front of the screen without reloading the page. For example, include the photo slideshow feature, animated images, poll filling, etc.

JavaScript itself usually collaborates with HTML and CSS. HTML can create website structures and CSS to design website page styles. Then, JavaScript plays the role of adding interactive elements to increase user engagement.

For example, when you give likes and comments on Twitter. You can see the number of likes and comments that continue to grow in real-time without reloading.

Anyway, JavaScript was originally a programming language that only worked from the client-side or front end. It means that the processing of the code will only run in the browser.

At that time, Google made this programming language more popular by using AJAX for the suggestion feature in the search field. AJAX, aka Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, is a technique for updating web page data without reloading.

Since then, many developers have started to use the JavaScript programming language to create more attractive and lively websites.

Along with its development, JavaScript can not use on the client-side but also on the server-side. This programming language can execute on the server-side by utilizing JavaScript framework platforms such as Node.js, React.js, etc.

With the framework, many backend developers are starting to look at the JavaScript programming language. Thus, sophisticated products such as mobile applications, website applications, and online games were born.

4 JavaScript Functions You Need To Know

There are quite a few JavaScript functions, ranging from making websites look more attractive, creating mobile applications, and developing games, to running web servers.

1. Make the Website More Attractive

JavaScript can make websites look more attractive and interactive with dynamic content.

For example, content that moves and updates in real-time without reloading all web pages many times. For example, Google Maps.

When the route pointer feature is activated, Google Maps can continue to update your position in real-time without the need to reload.

By using this programming language, visitors will certainly feel comfortable for hours exploring your website, right?

2. Creating Mobile Applications

The next JavaScript function is to create mobile applications. In the past, mobile applications could develop using the Java programming language for Android. Now, this programming language can use in the mobile API to create mobile applications.

It’s also easier to create mobile applications with a JavaScript framework specifically for mobile applications, such as React Native. With this framework, you can create mobile applications for two operating systems at once, namely Android and iOS.

3. Developing Web Browser-Based Games

JavaScript can also function to develop browser-based online games, not only creating web pages.

The JavaScript programming language can combine with HTML5 to create browser games. Some popular games that use JavaScript include Lord of Ultima and Flappy Bird.

The development of this JavaScript-based game is also supported by game-specific JavaScript frameworks, such as Playground.js, Panda.js, and Quintus.

4. Running the Web Server

Finally, along with its development, the JavaScript programming language can work on the browser side and the server side by using Node.js.

Node.js will execute JavaScript code on the server-side so that it can run websites, web applications, and browser-based games.

Node.js is also better able to handle multiple processes concurrently without waiting for one process to finish first. So the process can done faster.

How JavaScript Programming Works

The way JavaScript works can be seen from two sides: the client-side and the server-side. From the client-side, JavaScript can play a role in changing the website’s appearance. Meanwhile, from the server-side, JavaScript is used for database needs.

The following is a more detailed explanation of how JavaScript works on the client and server-side:

How JavaScript Works on the Client Side

JavaScript code can generate on a single HTML page. So, when the page is loaded, the code will run automatically.

In addition, this programming language code can also be created in a separate file with the .js extension. Then the file is inserted into the HTML code.

Later the code will be written using the <script> tag and the JavaScript attribute text. Here’s an example:

<script type = “text/javascript”>

Then, for the script to work, enter the following JavaScript code:

</script>

On the client-side, the process of how JavaScript works is not too complicated. When a visitor opens a web page, the script will download and start running in the browser. So, the process is not done on the web server.

Well, because it works from the client or browser side, if the visitor’s browser does not support JavaScript, the appearance of the website page on the visitor’s device can be different.

How JavaScript Works from the Server-Side

Well, from the server-side, JavaScript is mostly used for database needs. The way it works is almost the same as other server-side programming languages, such as C# or Java.

However, the thing that makes the difference is that JavaScript works non-blocking. It means. When the program is running, the program will not stop at just one process. The system will start preparing the next command.

If the next process is found to have no output, the process can run simultaneously with the process that is still running. So, the data processing process can be done much more effectively.

An example of how this works is the activity of streaming videos or embedding YouTube on a website. As long as the video is running, you can still access other information on the website.

The Advantages of JavaScript That Many Developers Love

In addition to its various functions, here are some of its advantages that make it popular among developers:

1, Easy to Understand and Learn

Programming languages ​​have their level of difficulty. Well, JavaScript is easy to learn.

2. Flexible Use

Most website programming languages ​​used PHP in the past because all web logic is on the server-side.

However, with JavaScript, websites can be more dynamic and interactive from the client-side. Even with its development, this programming language is not only used on the client or browser side. But also on the server-side with Node.js.

With it, you can develop various software such as servers, mobile and desktop applications, games and consoles.

3. Lighter Server Load

When a visitor accesses the website, the script will download on the client’s device. The script is then processed in the client browser. Then, the browser starts displaying web pages.

Also, the work process on the server-side is considered very efficient. Because the way it works is non-blocking. That is, the process will not stop just one process. It can be done concurrently if the previous process does not require output.

In other words, the server workload will be much lighter if you use JavaScript.

4. For all needs

You can use JavaScript for various needs. Not only for the front-end, but you can also even manage the server (backend) using Node.js.

Using this programming language can develop websites more efficiently because you don’t need to bother using other programming languages.

5. Have an Active Community

Apart from being easy to learn and flexible, JavaScript also has the support of an active developer community.

With this community, you can get help from the community if you experience problems such as bugs when developing your application. So it will be easier to find a solution.