Time to Witness JavaScript Evolve
For the seventh year in a row, JavaScript seems to have made its way into becoming the most commonly used programming language across the globe. And it is showing no signs of slowing down!
For those who have no idea what JavaScript is. It is a scripting language that is used to develop websites for ages. Initially, people used to rely on HTML and CSS where they could only give website structure and style but when combined with JavaScript, adding functionality and behaviors to your website becomes way easier.
Primarily being considered as a client-side language, JavaScript seems to have surpassed Java, Flash and other languages due to many reasons. Speaking of its establishment, early to mid-1990s Netscape programmer named Brandan Eich developed a new scripting language in just a span of 10 days. Earlier known as mocha, then Liverscript and today what we refer to it is – JavaScript.
JavaScript = Java ?
Many of you have this misconception that JavaScript and Java development is the same. To be quite honest with you, Javascript and Java have almost nothing in common. Like I said before the name JavaScript came from Netscape’s support for Java applets within its browser. However, many believed that it was more like a marketing tactic to divert some attention from Java, one of the most buzzed new languages at that time and I guess even now.
Whereas JavaScript, on the other hand, didn’t get famous right from the start as it carried several performance issues. And the funny thing is many Javascript developers used to mock a lot about it but actually this mockable language was the one which allowed the internet to flourish to a great extent. With the help of Java, programmers were able to use events and compose interactive components. As a result, Java finally made its way out to the mainstream.
JavaScript – The Journey continues
I am sure by now you must be well-acquainted with terms like UI/UX? This means you also know that user experience is all about dealing with emotions and responses one anticipates from his/her interaction with a system or a service, it can be anything from emotional experience to perceptions, behaviors, physical and even psychological responses. Gone are the days when one could simply present all the information to the end-user. In the present scenario, many aspects must be taken care of such as content, navigation, interaction, graphics, roundabouts, web forms and much more.
Now you must be wondering what role does JavaScript play here? Well, it can turn tables entirely for you. I mean it has the potential to enhance the overall experience and elevate positive emotions and perceptions by facilitating dynamic content for the end-user. For instance, validating web forms, auto-saving amended data to reduce frustration or rendering any visual effects that won’t just draw any kind of attention but create curiosity.
Much like Java even JavaScript wasn’t considered a serious technology. Over a span of 10 years, it has been criticized for being inconsistent especially in regards to security. With the arrival of jQuery in 2006, the UI landscape has entirely changed like never before.
Modern Web Development scenario
Have you ever heard about the browser wars? Well, you have so many to choose from. Each browser displayed the data from these websites could be quite different. Browser incompatibilities still exist today, and one could say they are a little worse because the web has gone mobile. Today, web development is more like being able to make things as much compatible as possible with many of the popular web browsers as possible including mobile and tablet.
Speaking more about the mobile realm, by using techniques such as React Native or Progressive Web Apps, developing cross-platform applications becomes quite easy to use. Have you ever wondered what were the constant changes that caused consternation?
The JavaScript word itself seems to be quite rich in how much functionality and how many packages are available right now. Although the number of key technologies that assist developers in creating applications faster is also large, the rate of change in this field often causes what we say, JavaScript Churn. Remember the time when Angular moved from version 1 to 2 and the incompatibility required to cope up with the porting time?
Discovering large and large ecosystems and using popular, robust, well-supported tools has been one of the great strategies proven all these years. And believe it or not, but today’s topmost discussed topics on the site are JavaScript, Java, C#, PHP, Android, Python, jQuery, and HTML.
Final Thoughts
Developing sophisticated frameworks featuring reusable libraries and UI component widgets require valuable time (which is not an easy thing to sacrifice). In the present times, it seems like all the key performance indicators have changed. Web developers are seen becoming more strategic in what matters for them- becoming well-aware of and aligning themselves with their employer’s business strategies.
All you require doing is choose a good framework or set of libraries that can save ample development time, money, effort, and provide fruitful results, i.e. JavaScript.
Author’s Bio:
Joanna Baretto is a Business Analyst at tatvasoft.com.au, which is a well-recognized java application development company, She has been working for four years in a Technological domain. Her work across multiple disciplines broadly addresses the narratives of techno experience. you can find her on twitter @BarettoJoanna.
I found your article is very informative and you had great use of facts throughout the article. Thanks for sharing this valuable information with us, it is really helpful article!