Basics of Computer Programming with JavaScript

Coding is a highly rewarding, increasingly in-demand skill that prepares young people for a tech-driven future and helps them cultivate creativity and build problem-solving skills. Where do you start if you want to start learning how to code? What languages should you consider in your curriculum? While hundreds of different computer programming languages are in use today (Java, JavaScript, Python, PHP, Ruby, and C++), they all use the same simple building blocks. There are many resources available online to help you understand how these pieces are programmed and how they function.

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a coding language used for plugins, among other things. The browser environment is mainly used to streamline front-end interactions with webpage elements such as DOM. JavaScript allows for interactive webpages and code. It is designed to be simple to write and read while providing the space you need to write complex software.

The 5 Fundamental Coding Concepts

1. Variables

Variables act like containers, and the container size differs depending on the number of characters in the variables. Variables are the containers that hold data in programming languages. They store information, so it is available to use later. For example, if you visit a website, a dialogue box with your name on it will pop up and ask what your name is. That dialogue box is a variable; if it’s called “visitorName,” the programmer can call on that information to find what their visitor has said.

2. Data Structures

Data structures are essential because they make it much easier to collect and manage vast amounts of linked data. Let’s return to the “visitorName” variable from earlier, but this time imagine that the computer programmer must store and refer to the names of ten distinct visitors.

Instead of generating ten parameters for each new visitor, which would make the project longer and more burdensome, the programmer could use a data structure to store all associated variables. At this point, the data structure is a List.

The List type can be represented with a single variable rather than ten, which leads to a more flexible code.

3. Control Structure

A control structure is a type of script that looks for specific values and then decides what action to take. Computers use control structures as well when executing some sort of code. For instance, when a computer program executes, it’s reading lines from top to bottom and left to right.

When a computer reads the code, it will reach a moment when it must make a “choice” based on rules set by the programmer. The code might jump to another section of code, run specific sections again, or just skip over certain sections. Whatever parameters the programmer sets will change the structure of the code. Consider control structures to be the instructions your program executes after considering various conditions.

4. Syntax

Computer programming follows a syntax, which sets specific rules for the arrangement of letters and symbols. Correct syntax ensures that the computer reads and interprets code correctly. For example, an email address contains symbols like the letter ‘@’ that denote punctuation between words or phrases.

Although email addresses are composed of letters and numbers, they can be interpreted by humans and computers because they use the standard email syntax. These addresses consist of a string of letters and digits followed by an “@” sign and a website domain (e.g., bob smith@companyname.com). It’s easy to imagine that computers would do poorly if an email was not syntactically accurate, like (company@.comnamebob smith).

Every computer programming language has its syntax or the proper order in which code must be written for the program to understand and execute it.

5. Tools

Tools in the physical world help workers complete jobs that would be extremely challenging without them. A programming language is a software piece that can speed up coding. Integrated Development Environments, for example, are among the most important things that computer programmers have. A great Integrated Development Environment (IDE) can check code syntax to make sure it’s not broken, organize your files, help you find the code you need with a custom auto-complete function, and make your navigation into the code simple. Tools are also crucial because they make coding faster for you and guarantee precision.

Additional Links

Computer Programming Technology: Some of the most common terminologies used in the tech industry, especially in computer programming and software engineering.

Integrated Development Environment: What Is Integrated Development Environment (IDE)? Meaning, Software, Types, and Importance.

The Elastic Brain and its Relation to Neuroplasticity: A child’s brain can master anything from language to music due to neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity and Programming: Is there a connection between programming and adaptation of the brain, as seen in neuroplasticity?

JavaScript, the Programming Language: A lightweight, object-oriented, interpreted programming language that is best known as the scripting language for Web pages.

JavaScript: Everything that you need to know about JavaScript, the benefits, the tips on how to use it, and the data types in JavaScript.

Variables in the Programming Industry: Variables enable programmers to develop flexible programs. Programmers can substitute variables for data entry when representing information.

Data Structures in Computer Programming: What is data structure in computer programming, what types of data structure, and what is their importance in the tech industry?

Coding and Programming for the Young Generation: The Impact of Coding Applications on Young Children’s Computational Thinking and Fluency.