Introduction to Javascript and Ajax: Building Web Apps from Coursera

Do you realize that the only functionality of a web application that the user directly interacts with is through the web page? Implement it poorly and, to the user, the server-side becomes irrelevant! Today’s user expects a lot out of the web page: it has to load fast, expose the desired service, and be comfortable to view on all devices: from a desktop computers to tablets and mobile phones.

The course covers fundamental Javascript programming concepts, starting with variables, data types, operators, and control flow mechanisms. It will then teach learners about object-oriented programming in Javascript, object creation using literals and constructors, prototypes, and the intricacies of the 'this' keyword. After which, the course goes into the power of Javascript arrays, using namespaces and IIFEs to prevent variable collisions, and discussion of closures and their use cases in Javascript programming. After covering the fundamental Javascript programming concepts, the course transitions into building dynamic and interactive websites by using Javascript and AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) to interact with the Document Object Model (DOM), handle user events, and dynamically update web page content. The course will also talk about the HTTP protocol, different HTTP request methods, and how to work with JSON data. Building on these skills, learners will gain practical, hands-on experience by converting the restaurant website into a dynamic single-page application (SPA) powered by Javascript and AJAX.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Javascript

What fun would a web site be if there was no functionality to it? In this course, we are going to concentrate on learning the fundamentals of the Javascript language. A lot of even seasoned developers “tinker” with Javascript without really understanding how the language works. That leads to viewing the language as more of a nuisance instead of a powerful tool. That is why we are going to concentrate not only on the “how” but also on the “why”, so you are empowered by the Javascript language features, not confused by them. We’ll cover just about everything - from common language constructs and Javascript types to objects, functions, arrays, closures, and scope isolation.

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Paves the path for students to build dynamic and interactive websites by utilizing Javascript and AJAX

Led by Yaakov Chaikin, an experienced professional in web development and Javascript

Provides solid groundwork in Javascript, beginning with rudimentary principles and progressing to advanced topics

Concentrates on teaching not just 'how' but also 'why,' enabling students to comprehend and master Javascript features

Delves into object-oriented programming, leveraging Javascript's powerful capabilities for building dynamic applications

Emphasizes practical, hands-on experience through the conversion of a restaurant website into a Javascript and AJAX-powered single-page application

Reviews summary

Foundational javascript & ajax for web apps

According to learners, this course provides a strong foundational understanding of JavaScript and AJAX for building web applications. Many highlight the clear explanations of fundamental concepts, especially for beginners. The course's hands-on approach, particularly the practical project of converting a static site into a dynamic single-page application, is frequently praised as a highly effective learning tool. While it offers a solid introduction to core principles like DOM manipulation and HTTP requests, some students note that it primarily focuses on fundamentals and may not delve into more advanced or modern JavaScript features. Overall, it's considered an excellent starting point for aspiring web developers looking to understand the 'why' behind web interactivity.

Strong on basics, but limited coverage of advanced topics.

"While excellent for an introduction, the course naturally doesn't cover more advanced JavaScript frameworks or modern ES6+ features in depth."

"It's a solid start, but I found myself needing to seek additional resources for newer asynchronous patterns beyond basic XMLHttpRequest."

"The course sticks to foundational JavaScript and AJAX, which is great for beginners, but more experienced developers might find it a bit basic."

Instructor excels at clarifying complex JavaScript ideas.

"The instructor's ability to explain intricate JavaScript concepts like 'this' keyword and prototypes was truly exceptional."

"I appreciated how the course concentrated on the 'why' and not just the 'how', making JavaScript feel less confusing."

"The lectures provided a deep dive into core JS language features, such as closures and scope, in a very understandable way."

Excellent for newcomers to web development and JavaScript.

"As a complete beginner to JavaScript, I found the explanations very clear and easy to follow, building concepts step by step."

"This course was incredibly helpful in giving me a solid foundation in JS and AJAX, the pace was just right for someone new."

"I had minimal prior coding experience, but the instructor broke down complex topics into understandable segments, making it accessible."

Hands-on project reinforces learning and builds confidence.

"The project to convert the restaurant website into a dynamic SPA was invaluable; it really tied all the concepts together."

"I loved applying what I learned by actually building a functional web app. It's the strongest part of the course."

"The real-world application through the project helped me solidify my understanding of AJAX and DOM manipulation."

Some content could benefit from modernization.

"I felt some parts of the course, specifically regarding tooling and environment setup, could be updated to reflect current best practices."

"While the core concepts are timeless, the rapid evolution of web technologies means certain examples or approaches could be refreshed."

"For an 'Introduction', it's solid, but a future update incorporating more modern JavaScript syntax (ES6/ES7) would make it even stronger."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Javascript and Ajax: Building Web Apps with these activities:

Review the book 'Eloquent Javascript'

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Reading 'Eloquent Javascript' will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the javascript language and its core concepts.

View Eloquent JavaScript, 4th Edition on Amazon

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Read each chapter thoroughly and take notes.
Complete the exercises and challenges at the end of each chapter.
Discuss the book's concepts with classmates or online forums.
Apply what you learn to your own javascript projects.

Attend a javascript workshop or conference

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Attending a workshop or conference will allow you to learn from experts, network with other developers, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in javascript.

Browse courses on JavaScript

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Research and find a workshop or conference that aligns with your interests.
Register for the event and make travel arrangements.
Attend the sessions and participate in discussions.
Take notes and ask questions to enhance your learning.
Follow up with speakers and attendees after the event.

Practice javascript coding problems.

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Practice solving javascript coding problems to reinforce your understanding of the language's syntax, data structures, and algorithms.

Browse courses on JavaScript

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Identify a coding problem solving website or platform.
Choose a problem that aligns with your skill level and interests.
Read the problem statement carefully and understand the requirements.
Code your solution in javascript.
Test your solution and debug any errors.

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Create a blog post or article about a javascript topic

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Writing about a javascript topic will help you reinforce your understanding and share your knowledge with others.

Browse courses on JavaScript

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Choose a topic that you are familiar with and passionate about.
Research and gather information from reliable sources.
Write a clear and well-structured article.
Edit and proofread your article carefully.
Publish your article on a blog or online platform.

Build a simple javascript web application

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Building a web application will help you apply your javascript skills in a practical context and solidify your understanding of web development concepts.

Browse courses on JavaScript

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Plan the structure and design of your web application.
Set up a development environment and create a new project.
Write the HTML, CSS, and javascript code for your application.
Test your application in a web browser.
Deploy your application to a web hosting platform.

Contribute to an open-source javascript project

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Contributing to an open-source project will allow you to work on real-world javascript applications, collaborate with other developers, and build your portfolio.

Browse courses on JavaScript

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Find an open-source javascript project that interests you.
Review the project's documentation and codebase.
Identify an issue or feature that you can work on.
Fork the project and create a pull request with your changes.
Collaborate with the project maintainers to get your changes merged.

Build a javascript-based web application for a real-world problem

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Building a web application for a real-world problem will challenge you to apply your javascript skills to solve a specific problem and demonstrate your abilities to potential employers or clients.

Browse courses on JavaScript

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Identify a real-world problem that can be solved using a web application.
Design the architecture and user interface of your application.
Develop the front-end and back-end code for your application.
Test and debug your application thoroughly.
Deploy your application to a web hosting platform.
Promote and market your application to potential users.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Javascript and Ajax: Building Web Apps will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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Introduction to Javascript and Ajax

Building Web Apps

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Reviews summary

Foundational javascript & ajax for web apps

Activities

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