JavaScript is now a priority skill that is required when a company hunts for an IT developer. It was once used only for web development, but the possibilities of the language have enhanced significantly over the years. In this overview, we will sum up the domains where the JavaScript programming language can be applied, and we will provide you with a tool that can be used to start working with JS and to understand its rich potential.
According to the Stack Overflow Survey of 2020 JavaScript was the most commonly used programming language. We may suppose the reasons for that are the following:
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JS is severely maintained by developers all over the world. It has a great open-source repository, which can be used by anyone. Newcomers in the sphere of programming receive support from the seniors and experts continue contributing their codes to the open-source.
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JavaScript is relatively easy to get started. In comparison with other languages, there is no need for so many lines of code to receive pretty nice things in your web application. And surely the above-mentioned community of JS followers will be happy to assist you on your way to mastering this language.
We are done with Why-ideas, now we come further to the What for list.
JS for the front-end.
The first and foremost task of the JavaScript language is to make the web page interactive. JS works in a team with HTML and CSS on the front-end. HTML, which stands for HyperText Markup Language, is responsible for the structure and the content of the site, while CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) tackles the style. JavaScript creates all the fun. It makes everything dynamic. Here is a shortlist of what JS can do in the front-end:
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show and hide information with a click
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change the color of the button, when the mouse is on it
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zoom images
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create carousels and sliders
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add animation
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play audio and video on a page
JS for the back-end.
Here we deal with something invisible, also known as server-side. JS can be used together with tools like Node.js, for instance, to save data to a database, to process payments, to save posts, and so on.
JS for mobile development.
With the rapid development of smartphones, it is important to stay up-to-date. So, JavaScript can come in handy with developing apps for mobile devices. Various JS libraries and frameworks facilitate this process significantly. They offer a set of ready-made tools that can be used as bricks in the process of building an app. We will provide an example of such a library further.
JS for games.
Games created with JavaScript will not embody the masterpieces of complexity. But it is always fun and entertaining, especially when you are just gaining your experience in game development.
What can give a head start?
As a bonus, we will mention one of the UI JavaScript libraries that is worthy of attention. Webix UI library is a mature solution created by a team of professionals. It offers core widgets essential for any web app, as well as complex widgets, that are complete SPA applications. Such solutions as File Manager, Report Manager, Chat, Kanban, and others can be used straight away, or they can be built into any environment. Besides, the library offers Webix Jet microframework for building your projects with the help of various components.
The library is regularly updated, the support is always responsive. Besides, they offer outsourcing services, which can be helpful if your team does not include relevant specialists.
Wrapping up
We have managed to discuss the areas where JavaScript is a handy tool. We have also given you food for thought on considering a JS library as a solution to back up your project. According to the latest surveys, JS is not going to give up its leading position, so it will remain on the list of the skills required for a position of web developer for quite some time.
