Introduction to JavaScript

Updated on September 20, 2015     Kisan Patel

JavaScript was developed by Netscape in 1995. At that time its name was LiveScript. Later on Sun Microsystem joined the Netscape and then they developed LiveScript. And later on its name is changed to JavaScript.

JavaScript has three parts

1. Core : It includes operators, expressions, statements and subprograms.
2. Client-side : It is a collection of objects using which one can have control over the browser and user-browser interaction is possible.
3. Server-side : It is a collection of objects using which one can access the database on the server.

Uses of JavaScript

Let us enlist some important applications of JavaScript by which we will understand the power of JavaScript.

1. JavaScript can be used as an alternative to Java applets. The Java applets need to be downloaded separately even though they are embedded in XHTML, however JavaScript need not be downloaded and used as embedded in XHTML document.
2. JavaScript can get embedded in XHTML.
3. JavaScript can be effectively used for interaction with the users. The JavaScript support form elements such as button, textbox, menus and so on. Simple web applications such as calculator , calendar can be developed using JavaScript.
4. Using Document Object Model (DOM) JavaScript can access and modify the properties of CSS(Cascading Style Sheets) and contents of XHTML document. Hence the static web document becomes dynamic.
5. JavaScript can be used to detect the visitor’s browser and can load the page accordingly.
6. JavaScript can be use to validate the data on the web page before submitting it to the server.