JavaScript Course - Fundamentals Part 1

JavaScript Course - Fundamentals Part 1

• The course is titled "The Complete JavaScript Course" and is aimed at beginners, covering topics from zero to expert level.
• The course is sectioned into JavaScript Fundamentals, Part 1.
• The first lecture is titled "A Brief Introduction to JavaScript".
• JavaScript is a high-level, object-oriented, and multi-paradigm programming language.
• JavaScript is used for dynamic effects and web applications in the browser. It is also used for web applications on web servers, native mobile applications, and native desktop applications.
• Key areas of JavaScript use include front-end applications and back-end applications.

Role in Web Development

• JavaScript, along with HTML and CSS, is essential for building web applications.
• JavaScript acts as the programming language, responsible for creating interactive elements within the web page.
• HTML (Content) provides the structural framework of the page.
• CSS (Presentation) styles the visual appearance of the page.

JavaScript Data Types

• JavaScript uses dynamic typing; data types are determined automatically. Values have types, not variables.
• Seven primitive data types are covered:
  • Number (integers and decimals)
  • String (sequences of characters)
  • Boolean (true/false)
  • Undefined (value taken by a variable not yet defined)
  • Null ('empty value')
  • Symbol (unique, unchanging value)
  • BigInt (very large integers)

Javascript Releases

• JavaScript evolves via releases.
• Key releases involve ES5, ES6 (ES2015), ES7 (ES2016), ES8 (ES2017), and various subsequent releases, with new additions and updates throughout.

Objects and Primitives

• Data in JavaScript can be categorized as objects or primitives.

Boolean Logic Operators

• Boolean logic, using 'AND', 'OR', and 'NOT' operators, is employed as part of JavaScript to evaluate conditions and implement logical statements.
• The AND operator returns TRUE only if all operands are TRUE.
• The OR operator returns TRUE if at least one operand is TRUE.
• The NOT operator reverses the truth value of an operand.

JavaScript Releases Details

• Several JavaScript releases exist, each with updates and improvements.
• Releases after ES6 are often associated with the label ES(Year) or ECMAScript (Year).
• The most recent releases are ES2021, and subsequent versions.
• JavaScript evolves gradually through incremental releases and new feature proposals.

Backward Compatibility

• JavaScript maintains backward compatibility—older features are retained.
• JavaScript's releases maintain compatibility across various versions to avoid breaking websites.

How to Use Modern JavaScript

• Transpiling code can be used for modern JavaScript development.
• Babel is a useful tool for transitioning between older JavaScript versions (ES5) and modern versions (ES6 and above) to address browser compatibility concerns.

JavaScript from the Beginning

• When learning modern JavaScript, it's important to understand previous versions, as earlier versions are the foundation of many current online materials and codebases.

JavaScript Fundamentals - Part 2

• This section of the course focuses on more advanced JavaScript concepts.
• The first topic is Functions calling other functions.

Functions Calling Other Functions

• JavaScript allows functions to call other functions.

Reviewing Functions

• This lecture will include a review of various function types

Function Types

• Function declaration; can be used before declaration
• Function expression; function stored as a variable.
• Arrow function; one-line functions, simpler syntax.

Function Anatomy

• Function names
• Parameters
• Function Body
• Return statements