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Making Websites Interactive

What is Javascript?

While HTML provides the structure of a page and CSS styles the webpage, Javascript makes the website interactive. Websites are rarely static anymore and have many interactive content. Therefore, it is important for front-end web developers to understand HTML, CSS, and Javascript.

Setting Up a Javascript File

Create a new javascript file that has a .jss extension. Link the javascript file into the document. It can go anywhere but is usually at the bottom inside the body tag. Be sure the file is linked correctly.

Important Ideas/Terms to Know When Getting Started With JS

Javascript is a text-based programming language that is object oriented. The objects in Javascript contain values that can be accessed in order to perform certain functions. Before understanding more about js, there are a few key ideas and terms that are important to know:

• Statement: Each instruction within js code is written as a statement. Statements in js are separated by semicolons (;).
• JS comments can explain what the code does. Use // [comment] for comments on a single line statement or /* [insert comment] */ for longer, multi-line comments.
• Variable: This is where information is stored within js. Variables change depending on the specific data input. A variable uses the keyword var followed by a variable name, assignment operator (=) and value. Example: var name=’firstlast’;
• Variables can store data types such as numbers, strings (letters and characters), or Boolean data (true/false).
• Variables have specific naming rules.

Read more about Javascript by visiting the following [resource].