How JavaScript Works
JavaScript is a high-level, dynamic, and interpreted programming language that is primarily used for
web development. It runs on the client side (in the browser) and the server side (via Node.js), and is
an essential part of the web development stack.
Key Concepts:
1. **Execution Context and Stack**:
- When JavaScript code is run, it is executed within an execution context, which is an environment
where the code runs. The global execution context is created when the JavaScript environment
starts. Every time a function is invoked, a new execution context is created and pushed onto the
execution stack.
2. **Call Stack**:
- JavaScript uses a call stack to manage function calls. The call stack operates in a Last In, First
Out (LIFO) manner, meaning the most recently invoked function is processed first. When a function
finishes executing, it's popped off the stack.
3. **Event Loop**:
- JavaScript is single-threaded, meaning it can only execute one operation at a time. The event
loop helps JavaScript manage asynchronous operations by allowing non-blocking tasks to be
executed without freezing the user interface.
4. **Memory Heap**:
- The memory heap is where JavaScript stores objects and variables. It is a large region of
memory that the engine uses to allocate memory dynamically.
5. **Hoisting**:
- JavaScript hoists variable declarations (but not their values) to the top of their scope. This means
that you can reference variables before they are declared, though their values may not be available
until after the declaration.
6. **Synchronous vs Asynchronous Execution**:
- JavaScript's synchronous execution means that operations are performed one after the other,
blocking the next operation until the previous one is complete. Asynchronous operations, such as
fetching data from a server, allow other code to run while waiting for the result.
7. **Closures**:
- A closure is a function that retains access to variables from its outer function, even after the outer
function has completed execution.
JavaScript is a versatile and powerful language, enabling developers to create interactive and
dynamic web applications.
