What you can build with JavaScript
Tags: javascript, programming, beginners, webdev
Published: 2021-11-10 19:29:53

JavaScript was originally invented to "bring web pages to life". In nowadays JS feels comfortable on a server and continues to explore new areas.

I was interested in existing non-trivial uses of JavaScript. I have researched the question and made this overview. It includes examples from flying drone controlling to machine learning. In this article you can find links helpful for beginners.

There probably is much more that could have been mentioned here. Please add other interesting JavaScript use cases in the comments, let's make a complete list.

Let's Begin 👇

### 1️⃣ Native and Hybrid Mobile Apps

You can build cross platform app with [React Native](https://reactnative.dev/), [Ionic](https://ionicframework.com/) or [PhoneGap](http://phonegap.com).

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/em35fqsxk2uafq0p8jnl.png) 

### 2️⃣ Desktop Apps 

Desktop applications are built with the [Electron](https://www.electronjs.org/) framework. VS Code, Skype, Slack are also written in JS, by the way.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/cxwfe32g5pxs76pjhjyu.png) 

### 3️⃣ Browser Extensions

[Writing a browser extension is pretty easy](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/extensions/mv3/getstarted/). You can write your own extension in vanilla JS for your own goals.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/w8xhg1ro7gurs57fwgam.png) 

### 4️⃣ Software Plugins

Extensions for Photoshop and Sketch can be written in JS.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/qdmxt8a48snyxbmt3u9p.png) 

### 5️⃣ GameDev

Nowadays, a lot of games are being developed with JS. Among them are many [games that help you learn coding](https://skillcrush.com/blog/free-coding-games/). There is a great [article on MDN](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Games) with resources for JS game development. You can write games in both vanilla JS and engines like [PixiJS](https://pixijs.com/).

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/lwym2tlaa0zqc8hp1ssx.png)

### 6️⃣ 3D Graphics

WebGL can [do really cool things](https://webglsamples.org/). The [Three.js](https://threejs.org/) library is by far the most popular for working with WebGL.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6jrd1lw4zaevr25igkkg.png)
 
### 7️⃣ Video and Audio Players

You can play video and audio in browser using HTML5 and JS. The [VideoJS](https://videojs.com/) library can be helpful.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/viam281mj52fav427r3o.png)

### 8️⃣ Internet of Things

IOT is a plenty of devices controlled over the Internet: a refrigerator that orders products itself, all kinds of sensors and remote monitoring systems - everything that can be automated. Through Node.js, you can interact with robots and other devices. There are even [quadcopters](http://www.nodecopter.com/) that you can install a Node.js on. There are a lot of [libraries for IOT](https://blog.bitsrc.io/10-javascript-iot-libraries-to-use-in-your-next-projects-bef5f9136f83).

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/xj7yaxp0dfaghf5s2lyx.png)

### 9️⃣ Smart TV

You can write JS applications using the [Samsung SDK](https://developer.samsung.com/smarttv/develop/legacy-platform-library/art00015/index.html).

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/yrstpvlew8ktewjkls91.png) 

### 1️⃣0️⃣ Smart Watch

The Pebble smartwatch company has released the [Pebble.js framework](https://medium.com/@sejoker/pebble-app-development-with-pebble-js-ab9af8c8ce50) for writing applications for their platform in JS. You cannot write applications for iOS and Android in JS... but who knows what will happen in the future :)

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/9h4me3l7qlwuif4m5emd.png) 

### 1️⃣1️⃣ Smart Columns

Applications (skills) for smart columns (voice assistants) are written in Node.js.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/clg0srxuarmpiza0dgdc.png) 

### 1️⃣2️⃣ Payment Terminals

Interfaces of payment and information terminals and other self-service devices can be built with JS.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/3cpm2z17y7ggyujk71h3.png) 

### 1️⃣3️⃣ WebRTC

[WebRTC](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/WebRTC_API) is technology that allows Web applications to capture and selectively transmit audio and/or video media streams and exchange data directly between browsers, without additional plugins, in real time.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/kjio8dhequns1fm6ag8m.png) 

### 1️⃣4️⃣ AR/VR

Virtual and augmented reality in browser using the WebVR API and 3D graphics. Take a look what [cool things](https://medium.com/samsung-internet-dev/eleven-examples-of-how-webvr-is-being-used-today-cbcb214b816c) can be done with this technologies.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/dtpm18v6f34jh25mpf5d.png) 

### 1️⃣5️⃣ Machine Learning

With JS you can create and train your own neural networks, as well as use ready-made solution developed in other languages. [TensorFlow.js](https://www.tensorflow.org/js) is the most popular JS library for ML. Using ML, you can, for example, teach a website to catalog goods for an online store right at the frontend, or show suggestions for you text while typing and do many other cool things.

{% twitter 1260448312316084231 %}

### 1️⃣6️⃣ Space

And what if I told you that JS flew into space 🤯

{% twitter 1267227834096861184 %}

---

And finally, check this inspirational collection of [JS examples](https://www.creativebloq.com/web-design/examples-of-javascript-1233964) and [vanilla JS projects examples](https://github.com/bradtraversy/vanillawebprojects). They might suggest an idea for your pet project. Also here is the [30 Day Vanilla JS Coding Challenge](https://javascript30.com/) - 30 tutorials on different JS features.

Happy Coding! :)

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