JavaScript Basics from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Getting Started, Introduction to JavaScript, Variables, and Arrays

In this module, you will be introduced to JavaScript and what it can do. You will be able to identify websites that include the types of interactions you will be able to produce at the end of the entire Specialization. You will also be able to discuss the history of JavaScript and explore why this history impacts how we write JavaScript. On the web, JavaScript is used to manipulate the HTML and CSS of a webpage, after it has loaded from the server. You will be able to assess your understanding of HTML and CSS and have the opportunity through resources and recommendations for improving your skills in this area, if necessary. You will write simple JavaScript statements in the web browser console and be able to create variables and arrays. You will be able to assign values to these variables and arrays and be able to read values from them.

Controlling Logical Flow in JavaScript

In this module, you will be able to download, install and use of a code editor as a tool for writing code, and properly save and manage their files. You will be introduced to the selection control structure. This basic control structure allows programs to follow a path based on conditions, and is one of the three major logic and flow control structures found in any modern programming language. You will be able to identify, write, and trouble shoot scripts using this basic control structure. You will be able to correctly identify loop structures and practice using some of the syntax available in JavaScript to create loops. You will then be able to put all three logical flow control structures (sequence, selection, and loop) together to create basic JavaScript programs that can be tested. Finally you will be able to combine sets of program instructions into named functions and create custom functions that can be called to complete the instructions they contain.

Using JavaScript in the Web Browser

In this module, you will be introduced to the methods built into JavaScript for accessing and manipulating DOM elements in the web browser. You will be able to capture user events with JavaScript and use those events to trigger changes to the DOM using the document methods and element properties. You will be able to identify how scope works in JavaScript and be introduced to best practices for working with variables in JavaScript so that scope does not become a problem. You will be able to practice all the skills and techniques learned so far in the course by putting together a simple slideshow on a web page.

Basic JavaScript Application Projects

In this module, you will be able to apply and practice the skills and techniques you have learned in the course by building a basic and a more advanced distance converter. You will be able to further apply and practice to extend your skills and techniques by building a simple vacation destination list application.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for those new to JavaScript and developing interactive web pages

Provides hands-on practice and resources to improve foundational skills

Covers essential concepts of JavaScript and its practical applications

Meets industry standards and focuses on current JavaScript practices

Led by experienced instructors specializing in JavaScript

Requires proficiency in HTML and CSS before enrolling

Reviews summary

Javascript fundamentals for beginners

Learners say that this course is a largely positive introduction to JavaScript for beginners with no prior experience. According to students, the engaging assignments, great instructor, and practical examples make the course easy to follow and understand. Some learners with prior experience may find the pace of the course too slow.

The course includes hands-on projects that help students apply the concepts they learn.

"Great course that covers the basics of JavaScript and the projects we do along the way really helped in learning and understanding the topics."

"The final projects were really helpful in applying all the topics learned during the course."

"I have choose some new way, therefore I finished course eary"

A great course for complete beginners with no prior coding experience.

"Perfect for someone with no programming experience..."

"Excellent course for beginner."

"Really good course with a lot of information. This course is really recommended for beginners and for those who want to learn javascript language."

The instructor does an excellent job of explaining concepts clearly and thoroughly.

"Excellent course. Very easy to follow along with a great instructor who takes the time to explain everything in detail."

"The professor really knows his stuff and knows how to teach it too."

"He is an excellent teacher and explains very well!"

The audio quality in the videos can be poor at times.

"Audio quality isn't always good, headphones are hugely recommended"

"The presentation could be better. It's not making me excited to learn. The lectures are a bit boring."

The course can be slow-paced for students with prior programming experience.

"I'm more of a hands on learner and in person type of education, but I appreciate the walk thru and explanations given as each project was being developed."

"it's pretty good but the teacher was a bit too slow for me..."

"Good course, but I had to take off a star since there were too many typos in the text, the quizzes, and the videos."

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 JavaScript Basics with these activities:

Read "Eloquent JavaScript" by Marijn Haverbeke

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Enhance your JavaScript understanding and knowledge with a comprehensive book designed for beginners and experienced developers alike.

View Eloquent JavaScript, 4th Edition on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of "Eloquent JavaScript" by Marijn Haverbeke.
Read through the chapters, taking notes and highlighting important concepts.
Complete the exercises and challenges provided in the book.

Practice creating variables and arrays

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Reinforce the concept of variables and arrays before taking the course to build a stronger foundation.

Browse courses on Variables

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Create a set of variables that can store personal data such as your name, age, and favorite color.
Set up an array that stores the names of your favorite movies.
Access and print values from created variables and arrays.

Participate in JavaScript study groups or discussions

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Collaborate with peers to discuss concepts, share knowledge, and work through problems together, fostering a deeper understanding of JavaScript.

Browse courses on JavaScript

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Identify or create a study group with other JavaScript learners.
Meet regularly to discuss course material, share ideas, and solve problems.
Contribute to the group by preparing materials, leading discussions, and supporting other members.

Five other activities

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Solve JavaScript coding challenges

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Enhance understanding and reinforce JavaScript concepts by solving coding challenges and practice drills.

Browse courses on JavaScript

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Find online coding platforms or websites that offer JavaScript challenges.
Select challenges appropriate to your skill level and attempt to solve them.
Review solutions provided by the platform or seek help from online communities if needed.

Follow tutorials for JavaScript website development

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Seek out and follow guided tutorials to develop your JavaScript website development skills concurrently with the course.

Browse courses on JavaScript

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Identify online tutorials or courses that cover JavaScript website development concepts.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step and practice writing your own code.
Experiment with different JavaScript features and apply them to your own website projects.

Attend a JavaScript coding workshop or bootcamp

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Immerse yourself in a hands-on learning environment, enhance your practical skills, and gain insight from industry experts.

Browse courses on JavaScript

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Identify and register for a JavaScript workshop or bootcamp that aligns with your learning goals.
Attend the workshop or bootcamp and actively participate in the activities.
Apply the skills and knowledge gained in your JavaScript projects.

Develop a simple JavaScript web application

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Apply JavaScript skills to create a web application, demonstrating your understanding and ability to build practical projects.

Browse courses on JavaScript

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Brainstorm an idea for a simple web application that you can create with JavaScript.
Sketch out a design and plan the functionality of your application.
Write the JavaScript code to implement your application's features and user interface.
Test and debug your application to ensure it functions correctly.

Create a JavaScript library for common coding tasks

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Develop a library of reusable JavaScript functions to expand your skills and enhance your future projects, consolidating your knowledge.

Browse courses on JavaScript

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Define the scope and purpose of your JavaScript library.
Design and implement a collection of useful JavaScript functions.
Write unit tests to ensure the reliability of your library.
Document and publish your library for others to use.

Career center

Learners who complete JavaScript Basics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Web Developer

A Web Developer is responsible for developing and maintaining the websites and web applications that are used by a company or organization. This course provides a foundation in the JavaScript programming language, which is essential for building interactive and dynamic websites. By taking this course, students will learn how to write JavaScript that can be used to manipulate HTML and CSS, add interactivity to web pages, and create custom web applications. This knowledge will be invaluable for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Web Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Front-End Developer

A Front-End Developer is responsible for the design and development of the user interface of a website or web application. This course provides a foundation in the JavaScript programming language, which is used to create interactive and dynamic user interfaces. By taking this course, students will learn how to write JavaScript that can be used to manipulate HTML and CSS, add interactivity to web pages, and create custom user interface components. This knowledge will be essential for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Front-End Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Front-End Developer

Full-Stack Developer

A Full-Stack Developer is responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of both the front-end and back-end of a web application. This course provides a foundation in the JavaScript programming language, which is used in the development of both front-end and back-end applications. By taking this course, students will learn how to write JavaScript code that can be used to create interactive and dynamic user interfaces, as well as process data, handle requests, and communicate with databases. This knowledge will be essential for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Full-Stack Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Full-Stack Developer

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software applications. This course provides a foundation in the JavaScript programming language, which is widely used in the development of web applications, mobile applications, and desktop applications. By taking this course, students will learn how to write JavaScript code that is efficient, reliable, and maintainable. This knowledge will be beneficial for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Software Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Mobile App Developer

A Mobile App Developer designs, develops, and maintains mobile applications. This course provides a foundation in the JavaScript programming language, which is widely used in the development of mobile applications for both iOS and Android devices. By taking this course, students will learn how to write JavaScript code that can be used to create interactive and engaging mobile applications. This knowledge will be beneficial for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Mobile App Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile App Developer

Back-End Developer

A Back-End Developer is responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of the server-side logic of a web application. This course provides a foundation in the JavaScript programming language, which is increasingly being used in the development of back-end applications. By taking this course, students will learn how to write JavaScript code that can be used to process data, handle requests, and communicate with databases. This knowledge will be valuable for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Back-End Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Back-End Developer

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist uses data to solve problems and make decisions. This course provides a foundation in the JavaScript programming language, which can be used to analyze and visualize data. By taking this course, students will learn how to write JavaScript code that can be used to import data, clean data, and create visualizations. This knowledge will be valuable for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Data Scientist.

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Quality Assurance Analyst

A Quality Assurance Analyst is responsible for testing and evaluating software applications to ensure that they meet quality standards. This course provides a foundation in the JavaScript programming language, which can be used to automate testing and create test scripts. By taking this course, students will learn how to write JavaScript code that can be used to test user interfaces, validate data, and identify bugs. This knowledge will be valuable for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Quality Assurance Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates and maintains technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and online help. This course provides a foundation in the JavaScript programming language, which is used in the development of web applications and software documentation. By taking this course, students will learn how to write JavaScript code that can be used to create interactive documentation and help systems. This knowledge will be valuable for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Technical Writer.

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UX Designer

A UX Designer is responsible for the design and evaluation of the user experience of a product or service. This course provides a foundation in the JavaScript programming language, which can be used to create prototypes and mockups of user interfaces. By taking this course, students will learn how to write JavaScript code that can be used to create interactive prototypes and gather user feedback. This knowledge will be valuable for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a UX Designer.

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Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for the development and management of a product or service. This course provides a foundation in the JavaScript programming language, which can be used to create prototypes and mockups of products and services. By taking this course, students will learn how to write JavaScript code that can be used to create interactive prototypes and gather user feedback. This knowledge will be valuable for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Product Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for the planning, execution, and completion of a project. This course provides a foundation in the JavaScript programming language, which can be used to create project management tools and applications. By taking this course, students will learn how to write JavaScript code that can be used to track project progress, manage resources, and communicate with stakeholders. This knowledge will be valuable for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Project Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst is responsible for analyzing and understanding the business needs of an organization. This course provides a foundation in the JavaScript programming language, which can be used to create data analysis and visualization tools. By taking this course, students will learn how to write JavaScript code that can be used to import data, clean data, and create visualizations. This knowledge will be valuable for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Business Analyst.

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IT Support Specialist

An IT Support Specialist is responsible for providing technical support to users of computer systems and applications. This course provides a foundation in the JavaScript programming language, which is used in the development of web applications, software applications, and operating systems. By taking this course, students will learn how to write JavaScript code that can be used to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues. This knowledge will be valuable for anyone who wants to pursue a career as an IT Support Specialist.

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Technical Recruiter

A Technical Recruiter is responsible for finding and hiring qualified candidates for technical roles. This course provides a foundation in the JavaScript programming language, which is used in the development of web applications, software applications, and operating systems. By taking this course, students will learn how to write JavaScript code that can be used to create automated recruiting tools and screen candidates. This knowledge will be valuable for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Technical Recruiter.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Recruiter