JavaScript is a high-level, interpreted, and dynamic programming language. It was originally created by Brendan Eich back in 1995, with the initial purpose of providing interactivity to web pages.
Initially, JavaScript was intended to manipulate elements on web pages and perform client-side validations. At that time… as a programming language, it was quite lacking, to be honest.
Given the evolution of the web, new needs for JavaScript soon emerged. Thus, JavaScript has evolved significantly, becoming a “more formal” and standardized language.
This is how ECMAScript appears, which is the standard on which the JavaScript programming language is based. Successively, different versions have added functionalities to the language.
Currently, JavaScript has evolved significantly, becoming a cross-platform, multipurpose, and multiparadigm language, and one of the most important programming languages.
Features of JavaScript
JavaScript is an interpreted language, which means that the code is executed line by line at runtime, without the need for a prior compilation stage.
On the other hand, JavaScript is a dynamically typed language, which means that variables are not associated with specific data types. You can assign different data types to the same variable during the execution of the program.
In addition, it is an object-oriented language, which means it is based on the concept of objects and classes. However, its object model is different from traditional languages like Java or C++, as it is based on prototypes rather than classes.
Finally, JavaScript is also a functional language. This means that functions are first-class citizens, able to be assigned to variables, passed as arguments, and returned as values.
Where JavaScript is Used
Nowadays, JavaScript is truly cross-platform and multipurpose. Although, logically, it is still often associated with web development.
JavaScript is used in a variety of applications and contexts in web development, such as DOM manipulation, form validation, communication, animations, and graphic effects. In general, anything that needs to provide dynamic behavior to a web application.
However, JavaScript is not solely restricted to web browsers. Currently, there are JavaScript runtime environments like Node.js or Deno, which allow us to run a JavaScript program on a computer or server.
It is also possible to embed web pages in desktop applications, for example with frameworks like Electron. Or create mobile applications with libraries like React Native.
It is even possible to use it on devices like Arduino or an ESP32, with projects like Johnny-Five, to create electronics and IoT (internet of things) applications.
In short, you can currently run JavaScript almost anywhere, and it has become one of the most important languages to know.