Meet Javascript
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Stephen Chapman provides a great JavaScript overview on About.com. Here is a quick summary:
- JavaScript is a programming language that is used to make web pages interactive.
- It runs on your visitor's computer and doesn't require constant downloads from your website.
- JavaScript and Java are two completely different computer languages. Only their names are similar.
- JavaScript support is built right into all the major web browsers. Provided that the visitors to your site are using web browsers that support JavaScript (most do) and have JavaScript enabled (it is by default), then your JavaScript will run when they visit the page.
- JavaScript is an interpreted language, so no special program is required to create usable code.
- JavaScript can go in the same file as HTML, however your scripts will be more easily reused on multiple pages of your site if you place them in separate files (using a .js extension). You then just link the JavaScript to your HTML by inserting a <script> tag in the HTML file.
This W3Schools page lists some examples of what JavaScript can do. Here is a quick summary:
- JavaScript can change HTML content.
- JavaScript can change HTML attributes.
- JavaScript can change HTML styles (CSS).
- JavaScript can validate data.
Click me to make me DANCE! Below is an example of JavaScript modifying HTML content:
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