1.
JavaScript Where To
The <script> Tag
In HTML, JavaScript code is inserted between <script> and </script> tags.
JavaScript Functions and Events
A JavaScript function is a block of JavaScript code, that can be executed when
"called" for.
For example, a function can be called when an event occurs, like when the user
clicks a button.
JavaScript in <head> or <body>
You can place any number of scripts in an HTML document.
Scripts can be placed in the <body>, or in the <head> section of an HTML
page, or in both.
JavaScript in <head>
In this example, a JavaScript function is placed in the <head> section of an
HTML page.
The function is invoked (called) when a button is clicked.
JavaScript in <body>
In this example, a JavaScript function is placed in the <body> section of an
HTML page.
The function is invoked (called) when a button is clicked.
External JavaScript
Scripts can also be placed in external files.
External scripts are practical when the same code is used in many different web
pages.
JavaScript files have the file extension .js.
To use an external script, put the name of the script file in the src (source)
attribute of a <script> tag.
You can place an external script reference in <head> or <body> as you like.
The script will behave as if it was located exactly where the <script> tag is
located.
External JavaScript Advantages
Placing scripts in external files has some advantages:
It separates HTML and code
It makes HTML and JavaScript easier to read and maintain
Cached JavaScript files can speed up page loads
To add several script files to one page - use several script tags.
External References
An external script can be referenced in 3 different ways:
With a full URL (a full web address)
With a file path (like /js/)
Without any path
2. JavaScript Output
JavaScript Display Possibilities
JavaScript can "display" data in different ways:
Writing into an HTML element, using innerHTML.
Writing into the HTML output using document.write().
Writing into an alert box, using window.alert().
Writing into the browser console, using console.log().
JavaScript Print
JavaScript does not have any print object or print methods.
You cannot access output devices from JavaScript.
The only exception is that you can call the window.print() method in the
browser to print the content of the current window.
3. JavaScript Statements
JavaScript Programs
A computer program is a list of "instructions" to be "executed" by a
computer.
In a programming language, these programming instructions are
called statements.
A JavaScript program is a list of programming statements.
JavaScript Statements
JavaScript statements are composed of:
Values, Operators, Expressions, Keywords, and Comments.
This statement tells the browser to write "Hello Dolly." inside an HTML
element with id="demo":
Most JavaScript programs contain many JavaScript statements.
The statements are executed, one by one, in the same order as they are written.
Semicolons ;
Semicolons separate JavaScript statements.
Add a semicolon at the end of each executable statement:
JavaScript White Space
JavaScript ignores multiple spaces. You can add white space to your script to
make it more readable.
A good practice is to put spaces around operators ( = + - * / ):
JavaScript Line Length and Line Breaks
For best readability, programmers often like to avoid code lines longer than 80
characters.
If a JavaScript statement does not fit on one line, the best place to break it is
after an operator.
JavaScript Code Blocks
JavaScript statements can be grouped together in code blocks, inside curly
brackets {...}.
The purpose of code blocks is to define statements to be executed together.
One place you will find statements grouped together in blocks, is in JavaScript
functions.
JavaScript Keywords
JavaScript statements often start with a keyword to identify the JavaScript
action to be performed.
4. JavaScript Syntax
JavaScript Values
The JavaScript syntax defines two types of values:
Fixed values
Variable values
Fixed values are called Literals.
Variable values are called Variables.
JavaScript Literals
The two most important syntax rules for fixed values are:
1. Numbers are written with or without decimals:
2. Strings are text, written within double or single quotes:
JavaScript Variables
In a programming language, variables are used to store data values.
JavaScript uses the keywords var, let and const to declare variables.
An equal sign is used to assign values to variables.
JavaScript Operators
JavaScript uses arithmetic operators ( + - * / ) to compute values:
JavaScript uses an assignment operator ( = ) to assign values to variables:
JavaScript Expressions
An expression is a combination of values, variables, and operators, which
computes to a value.
The computation is called an evaluation.
JavaScript Keywords
JavaScript keywords are used to identify actions to be performed.
The let keyword tells the browser to create variables:
JavaScript Comments
Not all JavaScript statements are "executed".
Code after double slashes // or between /* and */ is treated as a comment.
Comments are ignored, and will not be executed.
JavaScript Identifiers / Names
Identifiers are JavaScript names.
Identifiers are used to name variables and keywords, and functions.
The rules for legal names are the same in most programming languages.
A JavaScript name must begin with:
A letter (A-Z or a-z)
A dollar sign ($)
Or an underscore (_)
Subsequent characters may be letters, digits, underscores, or dollar signs.
JavaScript is Case Sensitive
All JavaScript identifiers are case sensitive.
The variables lastName and lastname, are two different variables.
JavaScript and Camel Case
Historically, programmers have used different ways of joining multiple words
into one variable name.
JavaScript Character Set
JavaScript uses the Unicode character set.
Unicode covers (almost) all the characters, punctuations, and symbols in the
world.
5. JavaScript Variables
Variables are Containers for Storing Data
JavaScript Variables can be declared in 4 ways:
Automatically
Using var
Using let
Using const
JavaScript Identifiers
All JavaScript variables must be identified with unique names.
These unique names are called identifiers.
Identifiers can be short names (like x and y) or more descriptive names (age,
sum, totalVolume).
The general rules for constructing names for variables (unique identifiers) are:
Names can contain letters, digits, underscores, and dollar signs.
Names must begin with a letter.
Names can also begin with $ and _ (but we will not use it in this
tutorial).
Names are case sensitive (y and Y are different variables).
Reserved words (like JavaScript keywords) cannot be used as names.
JavaScript Data Types
JavaScript variables can hold numbers like 100 and text values like "John
Doe".
In programming, text values are called text strings.
JavaScript can handle many types of data, but for now, just think of numbers
and strings.
Strings are written inside double or single quotes. Numbers are written without
quotes.
If you put a number in quotes, it will be treated as a text string.
Declaring a JavaScript Variable
Creating a variable in JavaScript is called "declaring" a variable.
You declare a JavaScript variable with the var or the let keyword:
Value = undefined
In computer programs, variables are often declared without a value. The value
can be something that has to be calculated, or something that will be provided
later, like user input.
A variable declared without a value will have the value undefined.
The variable carName will have the value undefined after the execution of this
statement.
Re-Declaring JavaScript Variables
If you re-declare a JavaScript variable declared with var, it will not lose its
value.
The variable carName will still have the value "Volvo" after the execution of
these statements.
JavaScript Dollar Sign $
Since JavaScript treats a dollar sign as a letter, identifiers containing $ are valid
variable names.
6. JavaScript Operators
There are different types of JavaScript operators:
Arithmetic Operators
Assignment Operators
Comparison Operators
String Operators
Logical Operators
Bitwise Operators
Ternary Operators
Type Operators
JavaScript Arithmetic Operators
JavaScript Assignment Operators
JavaScript Comparison Operators
