What's the hype about JavaScript?
Tags: javascript, webdev, programming, career
Published: 2022-01-08 13:35:54

Over the years, I have asked myself this question over and over again. Why use JavaScript? A little bit of background about this post. I started my programming career as a Java developer. Built stuff with Java and was really excited to introduce myself as a Java developer. I had little knowledge of JavaScript then but preferred Java. Fast forward to the present day, I have met more JavaScript developers than you can imagine, which always begs the golden question **“Why JavaScript?” **or **“Why use JavaScript”**. 


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**_Note, I am not trying to compare JavaScript with Java at all. Rather, this article is to talk about JavaScript and why I have come to love it also._** 

JavaScript, abbreviated as JS, is a scripting language that adheres to the ECMAScript standard. JavaScript is a high-level, multi-pattern, just-in-time compiled language. Dynamic typing, curly bracket syntax, first-class functions, and prototype-based object orientation are some of the qualities that make JS outstanding. JavaScript, along with CSS and HTML, is one of the most important technologies on the Internet. 
JavaScript is a programming language that enables interactive website pages and is an essential component for modern web applications. A large chunk of websites use it for client-side web page behaviour, and all major web browsers include a dedicated JavaScript engine. It's also worth noting that JavaScript is a multi-paradigm programming language that supports imperative, event-driven, and functional programming paradigms. 
Dates, text, standard data structures, the Document Object Model (DOM), and regular expressions can all be calculated using the application programming interface (API).  Previously, JavaScript engines were primarily used in web browsers, but they are now used on a variety of servers, most commonly via Node.js, TypeScript, CoffeeScript, Dart, and Kotlin are examples of JavaScript derivatives. 

_**Isn’t this cool? 
Of course, it is.**_ 

Another very important thing to note is, JavaScript is in high demand these days, as it is used by the majority of online browsers and web-based apps. It's also used in servers, software, and embedded hardware controllers, in addition to the web. 

**

## The edge that comes with JavaScript
**

JavaScript is both entertaining and interactive to use.  You'll be able to use a full user interface right away. JavaScript has a graphical user interface that is simple and easy to use. You can write browser-based scripts to create interactive projects early in the learning process. Using the Chrome console to code is fun is just an amazing feature.

Since JavaScript is the programming language browsers employs, it's easier to get started with and understand. You can start working right away. Unlike other languages, JavaScript does not require you to install a large number of programs before you can hit the ground running. 

JavaScript has the most extensive and dynamic repository of library code in the ecosystem. Individuals in the JavaScript community are extremely helpful and active in sharing and utilizing each other's code. In a random sample of a developer's circle,  6 out of 5 friends are likely JavaScript developers. Hence, it's quite easy to get help when faced with a daunting task. So let's just say you can never walk alone with JavaScript. 

It is a good language to learn programming styles and its syntax is simple and adaptable to newcomers. It also makes complex application development easier by allowing developers to simplify the app's composition. The numerous frameworks and packages available also help developers' lives to some extent. 

Finally, it is a multifaceted language. Yes, the primary application of JavaScript may still be frontend web development. However, over the years, JavaScript has evolved to accommodate more. It is used for Server-side code, Mobile apps, API integrations, the list goes on and on.  


I hope this helps you understand what JavaScript is, why it's trendy in the dev community today. 
If you're at a crossroads or considering which programming language to learn as a part of your 2022 learning curve, you might want to do a double-take on JavaScript.