What is JavaScript?
Java Script is one of the most popular Programming Language which follows ECMAScript specifications. It is the programming language used by Web Browsers. JavaScrip is used today by more than 95% of websites. This shows the popularity of JavaScript in the modern world.
In a website, HTML makes the structure, and CSS gives the designs and Styles. Java Script comes to the scene to give functionality to a website. Earlier it was run in the browsers only, but with the invention of NodeJs, it was changed.
-Popularity of Programming Languages in the World-
According to the survey done by the Stackoverflow for 9th consecutive year, JavaScript has become the "Most Commonly Used Programming Language" (Check here)
History of JavaScript
JavaScript was invented in 1995 at the Netscape Headquarters by Brendan Eich. In the 90s, there was a browser war between Netscape and Microsoft. With these, Netscape wanted to come up with a new lightweight scripting language for their browsers. With this idea, one of the employees of Netscape developed a new scripting language called Mocha in 10 days. It was never meant to be this popular, but after Mozilla Organization is used this language in their browsers, Mocha became popular. Later that language's name was changed to JavaScript.
The first non-beta version of Netscape Navigator (Source: ARN) What is ECMAScript?
When javascript is becoming popular developers used it more often and they have changed it as the need. Due to these, there were many conflicts occurred. To solve these issues and monitor the future of JavaScript Netscape handed over it to the organization called "European Computer Manufacturers Association" (ECMA) in 1997. Since that ECMA is responsible for monitoring the new updates & new versions of javascript. The latest version of JavaScript is ES6 which is released in 2015.
What is NodeJs?
Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform, back-end JavaScript runtime environment that runs on the V8 engine and executes JavaScript code outside a web browser. This is what NodeJs. When JavaScript was introduced first it was only worked with browsers only. Its only purpose was to run inside the browsers and give functionality to it. But with the invention of NodeJs in 2009, change the path of JavaScript. With this awesome invention, JavaScript was able to run outside the browsers as well. It became a revolution for JavaScript as well as the development field.
With NodeJs developers used JavaScrip not only for the browsers but also for the server-side as well. With the Nodejs moto of "JavaScript Everywhere" the popularity of JavaScript dramatically increased. Now JavaScript used for both FrontEnd and BackEnd development since its popularity in the world. Javascript is used for creating UIs, Developing severs, Connecting with DBs, Send HTTP requests, and many more applications.
Why JavaScript is Popular?
- JavaScript can use in both Frond End Development as well as Back End Development.
- It works with the concept of the Document Object Model(DOM).
- Javascript makes websites more dynamic and fast.
- It is standardized and frequent updates come.
- Javascript has a big community.
- JavaScript has many libraries and frameworks.
JavaScript Libraries and FrameWorks
- Back End Development (Nodejs)
With these facts, we can clearly say that adding JavaScript to your language portfolio will give you a higher advantage in the industry. JavaScript will hold the top position for many more years.
"Any application that can be written in JavaScript, will eventually be written in JavaScript."
-By Jeff Atwood in 2007 (referred to as Atwood's Law)-
