JavaScript is used in millions of Web pages to improve the design, validate forms, and much more. JavaScript was developed by Netscape and is the most popular scripting language on the internet.
JavaScript is a script based programming language that supports the development of both client and server components of Web based applications. The process of reading the HTML file and identifying the elements contained in the file is referred as parsing. When a script is encountered during parsing, the browser executes the script before continuing with further parsing. The script can perform action, such as generating HTML code that affects the display of the browser window. Characteristic features of JavaScript are listed as follows:
JavaScript was designed to add interactivity to HTML pages
JavaScript is a scripting language - a scripting language is a lightweight programming language
A JavaScript is lines of executable computer code
A JavaScript is usually embedded directly in HTML pages. JavaScript can put dynamic text into an HTML page - A JavaScript statement like :
document.write("<h1> " + name + " </h1>") can write a variable text into an HTML page
JavaScript is an interpreted language (means that scripts execute without preliminary compilation)
Everyone can use JavaScript without purchasing a license
JavaScript is supported by all major browsers, like Netscape and Internet Explorer
JavaScript can react to events - A JavaScript can be set to execute when something happens, like when a page has finished loading or when a user clicks on an HTML element
JavaScript can read and write HTML elements - A JavaScript can read and change the content of an HTML element
JavaScript can be used to validate data - A JavaScript can be used to validate form data before it is submitted to a server, this will save the server from extra processing.
