How Long Does it Take to Learn JavaScript?
It can take between three and eight months to learn JavaScript from scratch. This would depend on if you are following a self-guided learning plan or if you've enrolled in a program like BrainStation's Web Development bootcamp, which is designed to give students hands-on experience using development fundamentals and key programming languages, including JavaScript.
If you have any kind of background in computer programming or the basics of HTML code, it will be easier to learn JavaScript fast through courses or advanced tutorials. Coding bootcamps like BrainStation's can help you learn JavaScript and get up to speed in as little as three months of intensive study.
Getting started in JavaScript is as easy as opening Chrome or another web browser and opening Developer Tools. A total beginner could write a "Hello World" program: console.log("Hello World"). Even in that beginning stage of learning JavaScript and long before you've looked at more advanced concepts, you can get your hands dirty with a real-world project and begin seeing real results.
But progressing beyond JavaScript fundamentals will take longer, especially if you try to do it at your own pace. In part, that's because JavaScript offers multiple ways of accomplishing the same task, and determining the right strategies will take time and experience.
Is JavaScript Hard to Learn?
No, JavaScript is not hard to learn compared to other scripting languages and it is considered a good programming language for beginners. Still, learning JavaScript quickly will depend on finding the right bootcamp, courses, or resources, building and maintaining a learning plan, and gaining a solid understanding of JavaScript fundamentals before moving on to more advanced topics.
Although JavaScript basics are easy to grasp even for coding beginners, it will take significantly more time to master more advanced concepts like data structures, object-oriented programming, closures, prototypal inheritance, and more. One of the reasons for JavaScript's enduring popularity is that it is simple enough for beginners to get started, but also has the complexity to engage and challenge experienced programmers.
Whether or not JavaScript is hard to learn will also come down to your past experience with computer programming.
Is JavaScript a Good First Programming Language to Learn?
The JavaScript programming language is a very good first programming language to learn because it introduces fundamental programming concepts that apply to other coding languages, while also being fun and intuitive to learn.
JavaScript is the standard programming language of the web, giving life and interactivity to millions of web pages and mobile apps. JavaScript is used on 95 percent of all websites in the world, which equates to more than 1.5 billion websites, and an even larger amount of web pages (and JavaScript is supported by virtually every major web browser including Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and so on). Along with HTML and CSS, JavaScript is at the core of any Web Developer's toolkit.
For aspiring Web Developers who aren't sure which programming language to start with, you cannot go wrong with learning JavaScript.
Why Is JavaScript So Popular?
JavaScript is one of the world's most popular programming languages because it is crucial for creating interactive user experiences or interfaces on the web, it can be used on both the front-end and back-end of web development, it offers a wide range of frameworks and libraries, and because anyone with a web browser can get started working in the JavaScript development environment.
A key aspect of JavaScript's popularity is the fact that JavaScript code can be used for full-stack development. The 2009 release of Node.JS, a runtime environment that runs JavaScript code outside a web browser, allowed Web Developers to use JavaScript to write server-side scripting, and its popularity took off. In 2013, Airbnb became the first to utilize full-stack JavaScript, and they were eventually joined by companies including Google, eBay, Netflix, and more.
A concise way to understand JavaScript's popularity is that it changed web browsers into application platforms, and its performance, versatility, and scaleable nature have only contributed to JavaScript's continued growth.
What Is the Best Way to Learn JavaScript?
The best way to learn JavaScript is to explore self-guided online courses and free resources, consider a dedicated coding bootcamp or a modern JavaScript tutorial, build out the basic building blocks of your web development knowledge by learning other programming languages like HTML and CSS, and finally, put your JavaScript skills into practice by working on your own real-life projects.
Since JavaScript is already installed on every web browser, there is nothing stopping anyone interested in learning JavaScript from getting started. And because JavaScript is so popular and ubiquitous, there is no shortage of online communities and resources to help you build your JavaScript knowledge at your own pace.
Are JavaScript Skills Transferable?
JavaScript skills are highly transferable, as you can apply your new skills with JavaScript to virtually any other coding language you decide to learn, whether that's Java, Python, HTML, CSS, or C++.
Once you've mastered JavaScript syntax and developed a strong understanding of how JavaScript arrays, objects, looping constructs, procedures, functions, and more all work, you will be in a great position to expand your knowledge to other areas of web development.
What Can I Do With JavaScript?
JavaScript is highly versatile with a near-endless number of uses in virtually all kinds of development, so Developers with well-developed JavaScript knowledge can work across a number of projects and tasks.
The JavaScript language is mainly used to implement dynamic features on web pages, letting you create interactive maps, scrolling playlists, animated graphics, and more. JavaScript also has the flexibility to be used on the front end or back end. JavaScript can be used to develop on the client-side using Angular or on the server-side using Node.js, while React and Electron are just two of the JavaScript tools that will help you create great apps.
Whether you're interested in web development, game development, or creating mobile apps, JavaScript will be a crucial tool for you. A Developer who has mastered JavaScript could qualify for a job in software development, full-stack web development, information security software engineering, or even machine learning.
Are JavaScript Developers in Demand?
JavaScript Developers and JavaScript skills are certainly in high demand, and one of the best reasons to learn JavaScript is that those skills will help you advance in your career or establish an entirely new career.
Given JavaScript's status as the world's most popular programming language, it is no surprise that companies are eager to hire talented Developers who know how to pull off advanced projects with JavaScript.
A recent survey from Devskiller found that 75 percent of companies are looking to hire JavaScript experts, while Developer surveys from HackerRank found that although JavaScript is the top language hiring managers are looking for in Web Developer candidates, only 42 percent of student Developers claim to have JavaScript proficiency.
Are There Books I Can Read to Learn JavaScript?
Yes, there are a number of high-quality books that can help you learn JavaScript. In fact, aspiring computer programmers who want to learn JavaScript quickly might actually benefit from going beyond free tutorials to more advanced resources, like the countless reference books that offer overviews of JavaScript techniques, tools, terminology, and more.
Some of the best books to learn JavaScript include:
• JavaScript and JQuery: Interactive Front-End Web Development by Jon Duckett
• Eloquent JavaScript: A Modern Introduction to Programming by Marijn Haverbeke
• Learn JavaScript VISUALLY by Ivelin Demirov
• JavaScript: The Definitive Guide by David Flanagan
Should I Join a JavaScript Community?
It is worth joining a JavaScript community because it can be the fastest and most efficient way to get answers to basic JavaScript questions, receive technical support from your peers, or solicit feedback on your JavaScript projects.
The many lively, robust online JavaScript communities can be a crucial resource for you as you build your JavaScript knowledge and learn to code. Reddit, Google+, and StackOverflow all host active JavaScript communities, some of which were specifically created to help JavaScript beginners find their way.
JavaScript communities are also another helpful way to begin building your professional network in web development. As you look to build a career based on your new JavaScript skills, meetups, panel discussions, and other networking events are also a great way to expand your social and professional network of JavaScript pros.
Are There Any Easy JavaScript Projects for Beginners?
Yes, there are a number of easy JavaScript projects for beginners that can help you get started, which can include a basic interactive web page, a playable but uncomplicated video game, or a simple calculator. As soon as you feel you've got your head around the basics of JavaScript knowledge, you should start working on applying it in a variety of different ways on your own projects.
If you're happy with the way these easy JavaScript projects work out, they could ultimately form the basis of a Developer portfolio. Either way, these projects will be a good test of your newfound JavaScript expertise and should help you identify gaps in your knowledge and skillset as you continue in your JavaScript journey.
