Introduction to JavaScript
1. What is JavaScript?
• JavaScript is a high-level, versatile, and dynamic
programming language primarily used for building
interactive web pages and web applications.
• It's often referred to as the "language of the web"
because it's the most common scripting language used
in web development.
2. History of JavaScript:
• Developed by Netscape Communications Corporation,
led by Brendan Eich in 1995.
• Initially named "LiveScript" but later renamed JavaScript
for marketing purposes.
• Standardized as ECMAScript.
3. JavaScript in Web Development:
• JavaScript is primarily used to enhance the functionality
of web pages by adding interactivity and dynamic
behaviour.
• It can be embedded within HTML code and executed by
web browsers.
4. Features of JavaScript:
• High-level language: JavaScript abstracts many of the
low-level details, making it easier to write and
understand code.
• Interpreted: It's executed by the web browser without
the need for compilation.
• Dynamic and loosely typed: Variables can change types,
and you don't need to specify types explicitly.
• Object-oriented: JavaScript is centered around objects
and supports object-oriented programming.
• Cross-platform: Runs on all major web browsers and
platforms.
Variables in JavaScript:
• Variables in JavaScript are used to store data values. You
can think of them as containers that hold different types
of information. To declare a variable in JavaScript, you
can use the var, let, or const keywords.
1.var:
var was traditionally used for variable declaration, but it
has some scope issues and is less commonly used now
Example:
2. let:
o let allows you to declare block-scoped variables,
which means they are only accessible within the
block (e.g., inside a function or loop) where they
are defined.
Example:
3. const:
o const is used to declare constants. Once a value is
assigned to a const, it cannot be changed.
Example:
Data Types in JavaScript:
JavaScript has several data types to represent different
kinds of values. These data types include:
a. String:
o Represents textual data and is enclosed in single or
double quotes.
Example:
b. Number:
• Represents both integer and floating-point numbers.
c. Boolean:
• Represents true or false values.
Example:
d. Undefined:
• Represents a variable that has been declared but hasn't
been assigned a value.
e. Null:
• Represents the intentional absence of any object value.
Arithmetic Operators:
Arithmetic operators in JavaScript allow you to perform
mathematical calculations on numeric values. Here are the
most common arithmetic operators:
1. Addition (+): Adds two numbers together.
2.Subtraction (-): Subtracts the right operand from the left
operand.
3.Multiplication (*): Multiplies two numbers.
4. Division (/): Divides the left operand by the right
operand.
5.Modulus (%): Returns the remainder of the division of
the left operand by the right operand.
6.Increment (++) and Decrement (--): These operators
increase or decrease a variable by 1.
Comparison Operators:
Comparison operators in JavaScript are used to compare
values and return Boolean results (true or false). Here are
some common comparison operators:
1. Equal (==): Checks if two values are equal, but it doesn't
consider data types (type coercion).
2. Not Equal (!=): Checks if two values are not equal, with
type coercion.
3. Strict Equal (===): Checks if two values are equal and
have the same data type (no type coercion).
4. Strict Not Equal (!==): Checks if two values are not equal
or have different data types.
5. Greater Than (>): Checks if the left value is greater than
the right value.
6. Less Than (<): Checks if the left value is less than the
right value.
7. Greater Than or Equal (>=): Checks if the left value is
greater than or equal to the right value.
8. Less Than or Equal (<=): Checks if the left value is less
than or equal to the right value.
