Scribd
Upload
0 views2 pages

.Js .TXT: Understanding Vs Files and How Javascript Is Executed

.js files contain structured JavaScript code that can be executed by JavaScript engines, while .txt files are plain text and cannot be executed. The introduction of Node.js allows JavaScript to run outside of browsers, making it accessible for server-side applications. Using a proper code editor enhances coding efficiency with features like syntax highlighting and debugging tools.

Uploaded by

anushkame2003
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0 views2 pages

.Js .TXT: Understanding Vs Files and How Javascript Is Executed

.js files contain structured JavaScript code that can be executed by JavaScript engines, while .txt files are plain text and cannot be executed. The introduction of Node.js allows JavaScript to run outside of browsers, making it accessible for server-side applications. Using a proper code editor enhances coding efficiency with features like syntax highlighting and debugging tools.

Uploaded by

anushkame2003
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Understanding .js vs .

txt Files and How JavaScript is Executed


I created a new folder and named it "JS Dash Hindi" in VS Code, which is the code editor I'll be
using. I dropped this folder into VS Code, and as expected, it opened the entire folder.
Then, I created a new file named test.js and wrote a simple line of code inside it.

Now a question arises:


Why are we using a .js file and not a .txt file?

At the basic level, there's no fundamental difference between a .txt file and a .js file. Both are
text files that contain human-readable content. In fact, if I create a test.txt file and write the
same JavaScript code like:
js
CopyEdit
console.log("Hitesh");

It looks the same. Yes, VS Code might add some syntax highlighting in .js files, but that’s just
visual aid — not a functional difference.

The Key Difference


The difference comes when software tries to execute the file:
 A .txt file contains plain text, and no software will attempt to execute it as code.

 A .js file contains code written in JavaScript, which follows a particular syntax that
JavaScript engines (like V8) can understand and execute.
When you write something like console.log, it has a special meaning in JavaScript.
Programming languages use specific file extensions like .js to signal that the content inside needs
to be interpreted or compiled according to that language’s rules.

Executing JavaScript
For many years, JavaScript could only run inside a browser because the JavaScript engine (like V8)
was bundled with browsers like Chrome or Firefox. That’s why people used to:
1. Create an index.html file.

2. Write JavaScript inside a <script> tag.

3. Run it in the browser.


But configuring a standalone JavaScript runtime used to be difficult and was mostly done by
experienced developers.

The Arrival of Node.js


This changed with the release of Node.js, a runtime that lets you run JavaScript outside the
browser just like other languages (Python, Java, C++). It brought JavaScript to servers, terminals,
and many other environments.
Now, to run JavaScript directly:
1. Install Node.js from nodejs.org.
 Use LTS (Long Term Support) for production-grade projects.
 Use Current if you're exploring or learning the latest features.
2. In VS Code, open the terminal.
3. Type node -v to verify installation.

4. Run your script by typing:


bash
CopyEdit
node test.js

If your file is named test.txt, Node.js won't recognize it because .txt files are not associated
with any syntax or execution rules in JavaScript engines.

Code Editors
Using proper code editors like VS Code or JetBrains Fleet is highly recommended because they
provide:
 Syntax highlighting
 Auto-indentation
 Intelligent code suggestions
 Debugging tools
These features make coding smoother and less error-prone compared to using Notepad or Wordpad.

Summary
 .txt and .js files both contain text, but .js files have structured code.

 JavaScript engines understand and execute .js files, not .txt files.

 Tools like Node.js allow you to run JavaScript outside the browser.
 Always use a good code editor for better productivity.

You might also like