MODULE-IV:
JAVASCRIPT BASICS AND DOM MANIPULATION
Introduction to JavaScript:
JavaScript is a versatile, dynamically typed programming language used for interactive web
applications, supporting both client-side and server-side development, and integrating seamlessly
with HTML, CSS, and a rich standard library.
JavaScript is a single-threaded language that executes one task at a time.
It is an Interpreted language which means it executes the code line by line.
The data type of the variable is decided at run-time in JavaScript that’s why it is
called dynamically typed.
A "Hello, World!" program is the simplest way to get started with any
programming language. Here’s how you can write one using JavaScript.
<html>
<head></head>
<body>
<h1>Check the console for the message!</h1>
<script>
// This is our first JavaScript program
console.log("Hello, World!");
</script>
</body>
</html>
Output:
Hello, World!
In this example
The<script> tag is used to include JavaScript code inside an HTML
document.
console.log() prints messages to the browser's developer console.
Open the browser console to see the "Hello, World!" message.
Uses of JavaScript:
1. JavaScript can be used as an alternative to java applets.
2. JavaScript can get embedded in XHTML
3. Using DOM JavaScript can access and modify the properties of
CSS(Cascading style Sheets) and contents of XHTML document.
4. JavaScript can be used to detect the visitors browsers and load the page
accordingly.
5. JavaScript can be used to create cookies.
Features of JavaScript:
Client-Side Scripting:JavaScript runs on the user's browser, so has a faster
response time without needing to communicate with the server.
Versatile: JavaScript can be used for a wide range of tasks, from simple
calculations to complex server-side applications.
Event-Driven: JavaScript can respond to user actions (clicks, keystrokes) in
real-time.
Asynchronous: JavaScript can handle tasks like fetching data
from servers without freezing the user interface.
Rich Ecosystem: There are numerous libraries and frameworks built on
JavaScript, such as React, Angular, and Vue.js, which make development
faster and more efficient.
Applications of JavaScript
JavaScript is used in a wide range of applications, from enhancing websites to
building complex applications. Here are some examples:
Web Development: JavaScript adds interactivity and dynamic behavior to
static websites, with popular frameworks like AngularJS enhancing
development.
Web Applications: JavaScript powers robust web applications,
leveraging APIs, React, and Electron to create dynamic user experiences
like Google Maps.
Server Applications: Node.js brings JavaScript to the server side, enabling
powerful server applications and full-stack development.
Game Development: JavaScript, combined with HTML5 and libraries
like Ease JS, enables the creation of interactive games for the web.
Smartwatches: Pebble JS allows JavaScript to run on smartwatches,
supporting apps that require internet connectivity.
Limitations of JavaScript
Despite its power, JavaScript has some limitations to consider:
Security Risks: JavaScript can be used for attacks like Cross-Site Scripting
(XSS), where malicious scripts are injected into a website to steal data by
exploiting elements like <img>, <object>, or <script> tags.
Performance: JavaScript is slower than traditional languages for complex
tasks, but for simple tasks in a browser, performance is usually not a major
issue.
Complexity: To write advanced JavaScript, programmers need to
understand core programming concepts, objects, and both client- and server-
side scripting, which can be challenging.
Weak Error Handling and Type Checking: JavaScript is weakly typed,
meaning variables don’t require explicit types. This can lead to issues as
type checking is not strictly enforced.
