How Long It Takes To Learn JavaScript And Get That Developer Job
JavaScript programming skills are in high demand. According to CodeinGame’s State of Tech Recruitment report, more than 52% of tech recruiters seek developers with JavaScript coding experience—the highest of any programming language.
From web and app development, to animation, system administration, and much more—learning JavaScript opens up a world of opportunities.
If you’re looking to expand your skill set to include JavaScript, keep reading to find out how long it will take to learn JavaScript and when you can start your job search!
How Difficult Is Learning JavaScript?
JavaScript is one of the easiest programming languages to learn.
While the basic concepts of JavaScript code are easy to learn, things get more complex as you progress. Here’s why:
It has a wide range of features and uses
For example, code libraries provide developers with pre-written JavaScript code for common functions. This can help speed up development time. One of the most popular JS libraries is React. But learning to use these features is like having to learn a language within a language each time.
It takes time to master the different concepts and syntax
There is a range of different concepts to understand in JavaScript. Some examples include:
- Variable declaration: These are for storing data values.
- Statements: These are instructions for web browsers.
- Comments: Text that you want the JavaScript interpreter to ignore.
- Functions: A set of statements that calculates a value or performs a task.
JavaScript is constantly evolving
You need to be prepared to keep up with JavaScript updates and changes. JavaScript was first introduced in 1997 and it has been updated many times since then. This article provides a history of major JavaScript updates.
The key to learning the JavaScript programming language is to start with the basics, build a strong foundation of knowledge, practice regularly, and then to continue learning as you go.
Are There Any Prerequisites That I Need Before Learning JavaScript?
To start learning JavaScript, you must be computer literate. And that is about it! You don’t need any prior programming experience. All you need is a desire to learn JavaScript code and an eagerness to solve problems.
Many beginners have successfully learned the JavaScript programming language and have gone on to become proficient developers. Just take a look at our Alumni—more than 85% of them go on to full-time jobs.
Best of all, JavaScript has a large and active community that can help with learning and troubleshooting the code. By tapping into this community, you can access the knowledge and experience of your fellow developers.
Examples of some good JavaScript forums include:
One of the best ways to acquire a well-rounded knowledge of the JavaScript programming language is to take the Altcademy full-stack development course. You will learn the JavaScript basics in a supportive online environment. When you graduate, you will be equipped with skills that are in high demand in today’s job market.
You’ll also learn to use JavaScript frameworks and libraries (pre-written collections of JavaScript code) that will help you with your programming tasks and speed up the coding process. However, before you start using ready-made frameworks, it’s a good idea to ensure you understand plain JavaScript code. This is sometimes called vanilla JavaScript.
Patience, dedication, and motivation will get you there, along with the practice necessary to hone your JavaScript coding skills.
Learn JavaScript now with no prior coding experience
How Long Does It Take to Learn JavaScript from Scratch?
Most experienced JavaScript developers say that it takes six to nine months to learn the fundamentals of the JavaScript coding language. Of course, the exact time it will take you to learn JavaScript depends on your circumstances—for example, whether you have a demanding full-time job or can devote many hours each day to learning the code.
It can take several more months or even years to master advanced JavaScript concepts and techniques, like:
- Asynchronous programming
- Event handling
- Data manipulation
There are several different ways to learn JavaScript with differing timelines
Study computer science at a university
This will give you a broad and strong command of the topic and a degree. However, university studies require a lot of time and money. On top of that, they usually tend to focus more on theory than practical coding.
You can find out more—including some of the courses available and places to study—on the UCAS website.
Opt for self-learning with the help of videos and documentation available online
While free online resources are helpful to JavaScript developers, they can also quickly become a time suck for beginners. This is because these resources typically lack structure, which can result in wasted hours and ineffective learning.
Codecademy provides a range of free courses. This might be a good place to start if you’re not sure coding is for you.
You can attend an intensive boot camp with a good curriculum that will teach you the right coding skills
Intensive JavaScript coding boot camps have a set start and end date. They are also typically expensive.
According to Course Report, the average coding boot camp costs $13,584, with prices ranging from $7,800 up to $21,000.
You can take the Altcademy 25-week full-stack development course
This is the fastest and easiest way to learn JavaScript and become a well-rounded JavaScript professional. This is also one of the most affordable options.
Learn JavaScript in 25 weeks with Altcademy
How Long Will It Take to Learn JavaScript If I Already Know HTML and CSS?
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are the three most common coding languages. They all do slightly different things and are often used together. If you are well-versed in HTML and CSS, it will be easier to learn JavaScript code.
- HTML markup: Is used to create a website’s structure.
- CSS: Controls the style of web pages (such as font, background color, and layout).
- JavaScript: Brings interactive behavior and dynamic elements to complete the look, feel, and functionality of a modern website.
This means that if you know CSS and HTML, then you will already understand the languages used to create the structure of most websites. This will give you an advantage when learning JavaScript.
It typically takes two weeks to a month of studying 2–4 hours per day to learn HTML and CSS, plus a lot of practice to confidently apply your knowledge and create good web pages.
However, JavaScript is very different from HTML and CSS. While HTML and CSS are simple markup languages, JavaScript is a full scripting language. You will still need to spend time learning JavaScript coding, but knowledge of HTML and CSS will likely save you several weeks of effort.
What Is the Best Way of Learning JavaScript?
If you are looking for a trusted online platform that enables you to learn JavaScript from your own home, at your own pace, check out Altcademy.
Altcademy’s 100% online coding courses will enable you to become a professional coder even if you don’t have previous experience.
✔️Study programming languages at your own pace, part-time or full-time.
✔️Master code, get familiar with popular frameworks, and start creating portfolio projects.
✔️Fast-track your learning process, or slow it down.
✔️Get support from Altcademy instructors and mentors whenever you need it.
✔️Benefit from affordable courses and a well-defined curriculum designed by industry experts.
The Altcademy full-stack web development course can be completed in as little as 25 weeks. Once you’ve graduated, you will be ready to join the tech workforce with knowledge of:
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
- React
- Ruby
- Ruby on Rails
We ensure that students get the best out of our programs. Your instructors and mentors at Altcademy will encourage you to create portfolio projects around real-world problems to gain an understanding of the JavaScript language and its applications.
Learn JavaScript with Altcademy
Proficiency in the JavaScript programming language opens up many opportunities to get a fulfilling and well-paid job. Learning JavaScript skills can be challenging, but with the right approach—such as enrolling in one of Altcademy’s online coding courses—you can set yourself up for success.