JavaScript is one of the world’s most pervasive programming languages. Around 98% of the world’s 1.6 billion websites use JavaScript in some way.

And it’s not just websites. Some of the world’s most popular apps also use JavaScript, including:

• Facebook
• PayPal
• LinkedIn
• Yahoo!
• Mozilla
• Netflix
• Uber
• Groupon
• eBay

It’s therefore not surprising that the range of tech projects available for JavaScript developers to work on is almost endless.

JavaScript is a sought-after skill in the tech sector, making JavaScript coders good earners at companies that offer great benefits.

Read on to discover some of the things you can do with JavaScript and to find out how you can start learning it right away, even if you have a demanding schedule and existing commitments.

JavaScript may just be your ticket to a rewarding second career — or to discovering your dream of becoming a digital nomad!

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a coding language used to create interactive and dynamic web pages. It is one of the three main web coding languages, alongside HTML and CSS.

It is used for both front-end and back-end development:

• Front end: The parts of the website that users see and interact with. For example, JavaScript is used to create dropdown menus, animations, and forms.
• Back end: The parts of the website that users don’t see but that developers and website owners use to manage it. To use JavaScript for back-end web development you’ll need to have something called Node.js to run the code in.

Why is JavaScript so popular?

JavaScript is one of the most widely used programming languages in the world.

That’s because:

🌎 It’s the only programming language native to all web browsers.

⚙️ It works with all operating systems.

👨‍💻 It’s easy to integrate with other programming languages.

Why learn JavaScript?

Given its widespread use, learning JavaScript is often seen as an important step in becoming a developer.

It is possible to get a job as a software developer without knowledge of JavaScript coding. However, doing so will limit your abilities and your future career options.

Here are just a few reasons why adding JavaScript to your resume is worthwhile:

JavaScript is intuitive

The JavaScript programming language is intuitive and beginner-friendly. It is relatively easy to learn JavaScript basics, but be prepared to become a lifelong learner as updates are ongoing.

Easy to get set up

You don’t need any fancy equipment or software to start experimenting with JavaScript. A computer with a text editor and an internet connection is all it takes to unleash your creativity.

A great community

You can count on the support and help of the huge online JavaScript community. Wherever you come across a problem, you are certain to find a solution with a quick Google search or by joining JavaScript forums.

Flexible career options

Because JavaScript is used so widely, developers can work in a range of different industries. Examples include:

• Gaming
• Cybersecurity
• E-commerce
• Web development
• Film and television
• Fintech

JavaScript is in demand

JavaScript is in high demand among businesses and recruiters. HackerRank states that 53.6% of hiring managers look for candidates with knowledge of JavaScript. Being a JavaScript developer is well paid too. According to job ads website, Indeed, the average JavaScript developer base salary in the US is $107,317 per year.

Learn everything you need to know about JavaScript now

7 Things JavaScript Is Used For

What can you do with JavaScript? This versatile programming language is used in a wide range of applications. Here are just 7 of the many things that can use JavaScript for:

Mobile apps

Creating cross-platform mobile apps for iOS and Android has always been a problem for developers. The code for the two operating systems is completely different, so developers would need to produce separate versions of their apps. They can solve this problem by using JavaScript frameworks like React Native to create an app that will work on both operating systems.

Uber is one example of an app that uses JavaScript via Node.js. The company’s developers chose it because:

• It can quickly process large amounts of data.
• It’s easy to code and fix errors.
• The open-source community ensures the technology constantly improves.

Front-end web development

Front-end developers (also called web developers or client-side developers) can create interactive websites and dynamic web pages based on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

This is what JavaScript was created for and it’s still primarily used for that. According to The State of JavaScript Report 2022, more than 75% of developers surveyed said they use JavaScript for front-end development, compared to 50% for back-end and 20% for mobile apps.

Here’s a good example of a front-end development project from one of our students. Ryan Raschbaum has created this useful to-do list.

Back-end app development

Standard JavaScript needs to be run in a browser. This means that it can’t be used for back-end development. But as mentioned earlier, the introduction of Node.js means JavaScript has entered server-side or back-end development, making it possible to build full-stack applications entirely in JavaScript.

If a company decides to use JavaScript to power its front end and back end together then this is known as a “JavaScript everywhere” approach. This can help simplify development and improve consistency across the back and front ends. Plus, most developers are already familiar with JavaScript.

Game development

In the past, most online games were developed using Flash and Java. But today, an increasing number of online games are developed using JavaScript.

Developers can create 2D and 3D games using JavaScript libraries. Some examples of well-known games that were developed using JavaScript include:

• Bejeweled
• Angry Birds
• Minecraft
• Minesweeper

A good example of a game created in JavaScript is the 10 seconds math game by Altcademy student Sofia Carneiro Machado.

Animations

JavaScript provides tools for creating animations, allowing developers to add motion and interactivity to web pages, games, and multimedia applications.

Animations developed in JavaScript are lightweight, which means they can be loaded quicker on low-spec devices. They can also be adapted to better suit whatever device you intend them to be played on.

This video from FreeFrontend shows examples of the kinds of animations that can be created using JavaScript.

Data visualization

Create interactive and dynamic data visualizations using JavaScript libraries.

Because JavaScript is designed for dynamic content it is particularly useful for creating live data visualizations. A good example is this world population meter.

Below is an example of how dynamic data visualization can be used to create a game. Game of Black Jack was created by Altcademy student Francis Artemio Landia.

Plugins

JavaScript is the main source code used in browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. It, therefore, makes sense that extensions are written in JavaScript.

A good example is the Grammarly plugin which allows users to get pointers on the quality of their writing within a Google Doc.

But JavaScript is also used to build third-party plugins for popular software packages like Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office.

Shopping cart is an example of a JavaScript plugin created by Altcademy student Yoseph Berhane.

Learn JavaScript and develop your dream projects

Learn JavaScript with Altcademy

Altcademy makes it easy to realize your dream of becoming a JavaScript developer.

We offer courses in full-stack, front-end, and back-end development.

We take you from the beginner level and teach you everything you need to become a professional coder. 85%+ of Altcademy alumni are hired within six months of their graduation.

Learn with us and you’ll benefit from:

✔️Flexible courses: Learn JavaScript from anywhere, anytime, full-time, or part-time. Our programs are 100% online and available 24/7.

✔️Self-paced, online learning: You need a minimum of 12 weeks to learn to build front-end applications. This program is beginner-friendly.

✔️Helpful motivation: We provide you with guideline schedules and soft deadlines to keep you focused and motivated.

✔️Support when you need it: When you need help, you can access video mentorships, live one-on-one discussions, and Q&A sessions.

✔️Full stack in 25 weeks: Our full stack developer course teaches you several programming languages, including JavaScript in just 25 weeks.

✔️Taught by industry experts: Altcademy’s instructors and mentors are industry experts with experience at top firms.

✔️Affordable: Our coding bootcamp courses begin at just $1190.

✔️Get noticed by employers: We will also help you create your portfolio and prepare you for the job market.

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