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JavaScript Introduction


What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is the programming language of the web.

It can calculate, manipulate and validate data.

It can update and change both HTML and CSS.


Why Study JavaScript?

JavaScript is one of the 3 languages all web developers must learn:

   1. HTML to define the content of web pages

   2. CSS to specify the layout of web pages

   3. JavaScript to program the behavior of web pages


JavaScript Can Change HTML Content

One of many JavaScript HTML methods is getElementById().

The example below "finds" an HTML element (with id="demo"), and changes the element content (innerHTML) to "Hello JavaScript":

Example

document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = "Hello JavaScript";
Try it Yourself »

JavaScript accepts both double and single quotes:

Example

document.getElementById('demo').innerHTML = 'Hello JavaScript';
Try it Yourself »

JavaScript Can Change HTML Attribute Values

In this example JavaScript changes the value of the src (source) attribute of an <img> tag:

The Light Bulb

Try it Yourself »



JavaScript Can Change HTML Styles (CSS)

Changing the style of an HTML element, is a variant of changing an HTML attribute:

Example

document.getElementById("demo").style.fontSize = "35px";
Try it Yourself »

JavaScript Can Hide HTML Elements

Hiding HTML elements can be done by changing the display style:

Example

document.getElementById("demo").style.display = "none";
Try it Yourself »

JavaScript Can Show HTML Elements

Showing hidden HTML elements can also be done by changing the display style:

Example

document.getElementById("demo").style.display = "block";
Try it Yourself »

Did You Know?

JavaScript and Java are completely different languages, both in concept and design.

JavaScript was invented by Brendan Eich in 1995, and became an ECMA standard in 1997.

ECMA-262 is the official name of the standard. ECMAScript is the official name of the language.

See all JavaScript Versions »


Video: JavaScript Introduction

Tutorial on YouTube
Tutorial on YouTube


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