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Introduction to JavaScript

Learn to create interactive web pages and dynamic applications as you gain the skills to start your JavaScript journey.

A man in a shirt sits on a computer in an office setting with code surrounding him.

Master the fundamentals of JavaScript code

JavaScript is an incredible multi-functional language, often used for web development. Any interaction that happens on web pages is JavaScript in action.

On this four-week course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to create JavaScript applications and use JavaScript on web pages.

You’ll start with the fundamentals of the JavaScript language, such as setting up your environment, adding JavaScript to a webpage, and writing JavaScript code before exploring more advanced topics.

Unpack JavaScript operators

To help you build a strong foundation of knowledge, you’ll delve into the essential building blocks of JavaScript: variables and operators.

You’ll explore different variable data types to understand how to store and work with variable values in your scripts to make them dynamic.

Next, you’ll develop your understanding of operators and how they are used to modify variables or to tell us something about the variables. You’ll explore arithmetic, assignment, conditional, and logical operators and learn how to do basic calculations based on factors such as user input.

Investigate JavaScript classes and functions

To take your coding skills to the next level, you’ll learn how to use functions to structure your code. You’ll also explore classes, which provide another useful building block to help you structure your application better.

Finally, you’ll cover the built-in JavaScript methods to help improve the effectiveness of your code whilst saving time and complying with best practices for developing solutions.

Now you are familiar with many of the core features of JavaScript, you could develop your skills further by taking the Intermediate and Advanced JavaScript course here.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 2 seconds Have you always wanted to learn more about JavaScript? You’ll almost certainly have come into contact with this ubiquitous programming language. If you have used a browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge, then you definitely have. JavaScript is all over the web. If you enter a web page and it asks you to accept cookies and you click OK, the popup disappears. This is JavaScript in action. This course has been developed in partnership with PACKT, in order to produce a guide on creating with JavaScript, no matter your level of experience. Adapted from material provided by experienced web developers with a comprehensive understanding of JavaScript.

Skip to 0 minutes and 45 seconds By studying just a couple of hours a week, this course provides an opportunity to learn from experts in their field, developing a deep understanding of JavaScript and enabling you to create interactive web pages and dynamic applications. More specifically, by the end of this course, you’ll be able to develop fun, interactive and dynamic JavaScript web apps, games and pages. Apply invaluable built-in JavaScript methods. Identify the method required to produce a certain outcome or solve a problem using JavaScript. Explain what JavaScript is, how it works, and what it is used for. Pretty much any interaction we have with web pages is because of JavaScript; the buttons you are clicking, birthday cards you are creating, and calculations you are doing.

Skip to 1 minute and 39 seconds So this is an immensely useful skill to master, particularly if you are interested in website development and design. Anything that requires more than a static web page needs JavaScript. And Studying on FutureLearn gives you the freedom to learn wherever you are, whether you are at home, on your commute, or on your lunch break. You can log in on your phone, laptop or tablet and pick up where you left off. Study how and when you choose. So please step into your future with Introduction to JavaScript from PACKT and FutureLearn.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    The essentials of JavaScript

    • Introduction to the course

      Welcome to Introduction to JavaScript and the start of your learning journey, brought to you by Packt.

    • Getting Started with JavaScript part 1

      In this activity, we will explore why you should learn JavaScript, how to set up your environment, and using the browser console.

    • Getting started with JavaScript part 2

      In this activity, we will explore how to link JavaScript to a webpage, and how to write JavaScript code.

    • JavaScript essentials part 1

      In this activity, we will explore the basics of JavaScript. We'll explore variables and primitive data types.

    • JavaScript essentials part 2

      In this activity, we will explore what operators are and how to use them in JavaScript.

    • Wrap up

      You have reached the end of Week 1. In this activity, you'll reflect on what you have learned.

  • Week 2

    Values and statements

    • Introduction to Week 2

      Welcome to Week 2. In this activity, we'll highlight the main topics that will be covered this week.

    • JavaScript Multiple Values part 1

      In this activity, we will explore arrays in JavaScript.

    • JavaScript Multiple Values part 2

      In this activity, we will explore objects in JavaScript.

    • Logic statements

      In this activity, we will explore the logic statements we can use in JavaScript and how they work.

    • Wrap up

      You have reached the end of Week 2. In this activity, you'll reflect on what you have learned.

  • Week 3

    Loops and functions

    • Introduction to Week 3

      Welcome to Week 3. In this activity, we'll highlight the main topics that will be covered this week.

    • Loops part 1

      In this activity, we will explore loops. We will discuss nested, for, and while loops.

    • Loops part 2

      In this activity, we will explore more about loops and how loops work with arrays and objects.

    • Functions

      In this activity, we will explore what functions are and how to use special, recursive, and nested functions in JavaScript.

    • Wrap up

      You have reached the end of Week 3. In this activity, you'll reflect on what you have learned.

  • Week 4

    Classes and built-in methods

    • Introduction to Week 4

      Welcome to Week 4. In this activity, we'll highlight the main topics that will be covered this week.

    • Classes part 1

      In this activity, we will explore the methods, properties, and constructors in classes.

    • Classes part 2

      In this activity, we will explore getters and setters, as well as inheritance and prototypes in JavaScript.

    • Built-In JavaScript Methods part 1

      In this activity, we will explore the global and array methods.

    • Built-In JavaScript Methods part 2

      In this activity, we will explore string methods in JavaScript.

    • Built-in JavaScript Methods part 3

      In this activity, we will explore number and math methods.

    • Built-in JavaScript Methods part 4

      In this activity, we will explore date methods in JavaScript.

    • Wrap up

      You have reached the end of this course. In this activity, you will reflect on what you have learned.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Develop fun, interactive, and dynamic JavaScript web apps, games, and pages.
  • Apply invaluable built-in JavaScript methods.
  • Identify the method required to produce a certain outcome or solve a problem using JavaScript.
  • Explain what JavaScript is, how it works and what it is used for.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in learning JavaScript. You don’t need any prior experience however, basic familiarity with HTML and CSS would be beneficial.

What software or tools do you need?

If you have a computer with a text editor (such as Notepad or TextEdit, not Word!) and a browser, you can get started with this course.

Who developed the course?

Packt

Founded in 2004 in Birmingham, UK, Packt’s mission is to help the world put software to work in new ways, through the delivery of effective learning and information services to IT professionals.

FutureLearn

FutureLearn is a leading social learning platform and has been providing high quality online courses for learners around the world over the last ten years.

What's included?

This is a premium course. These courses are designed for professionals from specific industries looking to learn with a smaller group of like-minded individuals.

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you're eligible
  • Download and print your Certificate of Achievement anytime

Still want to know more? Check out our FAQs

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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