Tutorial 10: Programming with javascript Session 2: What is JavaScript?
Objectives What is JavaScript? What can JavaScript do? JavaScript – How to Writing JavaScript Statements JavaScript – Where to Writing JavaScript Comments Declaring Variables in JavaScript
What is JavaScript? JavaScript was designed to add interactivity to HTML pages JavaScript is a scripting language A scripting language is a lightweight programming language JavaScript is an interpreted language (means that scripts execute without preliminary compilation) Everyone can use JavaScript without purchasing a license Are Java and JavaScript the same? NO! Java and JavaScript are two completely different languages in both concept and design! Java (developed by Sun Microsystems) is a powerful and much more complex programming language - in the same category as C and C++.
What can JavaScript do? JavaScript gives HTML designers a programming tool JavaScript can read and write HTML elements JavaScript can react to events JavaScript can change HTML content JavaScript can change HTML images JavaScript can change HTML styles JavaScript can be used to validate data •JavaScript gives HTML designers a programming tool - HTML authors are normally not programmers, but JavaScript is a scripting language with a very simple syntax! Almost anyone can put small "snippets" of code into their HTML pages •JavaScript can react to events - A JavaScript can be set to execute when something happens, like when a page has finished loading or when a user clicks on an HTML element •JavaScript can read and write HTML elements - A JavaScript can read and change the content of an HTML element •JavaScript can be used to validate data - A JavaScript can be used to validate form data before it is submitted to a server. This saves the server from extra processing •JavaScript can be used to detect the visitor's browser - A JavaScript can be used to detect the visitor's browser, and - depending on the browser - load another page specifically designed for that browser •JavaScript can be used to create cookies - A JavaScript can be used to store and retrieve information on the visitor's computer
Example of JavaScript Use
Other Examples of JavaScript Uses http://grhainfo.org/codingbootcamp2/registration.htm http://www.gcsu.edu
JavaScript – How to.. A JavaScript program can be placed directly in an HTML file or it can be saved in an external text file Insert a client-side script in a Web page when using the script element <script type="text/javascript"> script commands </script>
JavaScript: Script Element In Class Example Writing to the HTML document Changing HTML elements
JavaScript Statements JavaScript is a sequence of statements to be executed by the browser. JavaScript is case-sensitive. A JavaScript statement is a command to a browser. The purpose of the command is to tell the browser what to do. Example: document.write("Hello Dolly"); Unlike HTML, JavaScript is case sensitive - therefore watch your capitalization closely when you write JavaScript statements, create or call variables, objects and functions.
JavaScript Statements In Class Examples JavaScript Code JavaScript Code Block (use of a function)
JavaScript – Where to.. JavaScript can be put in the <body> and in the <head> sections of an HTML page. JavaScript can be embedded in the HTML code. JavaScript can also be placed in external files.
JavaScript: in head, body, and external In Class Examples In body In head External JavaScript file
JavaScript Comments Commenting your code is an important programming practice // comment text for a single line /* comment text for multiple lines
JavaScript Comments Add a single-line comment Add a multi-line comment In-Class Example: Add a single-line comment Add a multi-line comment
JavaScript Variables As with algebra, JavaScript variables are used to hold values or expressions. A variable can have a short name, like x, or a more descriptive name, like carname. Rules for JavaScript variable names: Variable names are case sensitive (y and Y are two different variables) Variable names must begin with a letter, the $ character, or the underscore character
Declaring JavaScript Variables Declaring a variable tells the JavaScript to reserve memory space for the variable. To declare a JavaScript variable, use the statement var variable; where variable is the name assigned to the variable. To declare a JavaScript variable and set its initial value, use var variable = value; where value is the initial value of the variable.
Declaring JavaScript Variables JavaScript data types: Numeric values Text strings Boolean values Null values You must declare a variable before using it.
Declaring JavaScript Variables Numeric value is any number, such as 13, 22.5, -3.14159 etc. Text string is any group of text characters, such as “Hello” or “Happy Holidays!” Must be enclosed within either double or single quotations (but not both) Boolean values accept only true and false values Null value has no value at all
Declaring Variables In Class Example
Declaring Variables In Class Example