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Learning JavaScript: 9 Common Mistakes That Are Holding You Back

Christopher Nolan
Release: 2025-02-16 10:01:11
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Learning JavaScript: 9 Common Mistakes That Are Holding You Back

Many people try to learn JavaScript but give up halfway, and then comfort themselves: "JavaScript is too difficult", and even more pessimistically think: "Maybe I'm not suitable for web development."

It is regrettable that there is no need to give up at all. Just change the learning method. This article will explore common errors in the process of learning JavaScript and explain how to avoid these errors. Many of the techniques are equally applicable to other programming languages ​​or even non-Web development fields, and can be said to have multiple goals in one go. Let's get started!

Error 1: Over-analysis, keeping your feet

Before starting to learn JavaScript, people are easily trapped in collecting information. You will find all kinds of information, some say JavaScript is the best, some say it is the worst; some say you have to master this framework or that framework; some say you have to write JavaScript in a certain way , otherwise you will never become a "real" developer. Whether these views hold or not, the worst thing is that you may waste six months to a year of tangle rather than actually starting to learn.

Just write a line of code. There is no need to pursue perfection, even if it is bad, it doesn't matter. Just start, you have overcome one of the obstacles that many people can stop.

Error 2: Learn the framework before learning pure JavaScript

The JavaScript framework is built on native JavaScript, so if you understand JavaScript, you can automatically understand the basics of how to use any JavaScript framework. However, if you jump directly into the framework to learn, you will end up only memorizing and not really understanding. It's like trying to write a sentence without knowing the meaning of a word. You end up remembering random phrases instead of understanding how words work and how to combine them into your own sentences. If you learn the framework directly, it will be more difficult, and it will be even more difficult if you need to adapt to other frameworks. If you first learn pure JavaScript, you will have a solid foundation to understand all frameworks.

Error 3: Entering the next stage too early

One of the most common mistakes is to continue learning the next concept immediately after understanding one concept. I myself have struggled with this, because once I understand a concept, it is easy to want to move on. My solution is to treat each concept as a new toy; it means taking some time to enjoy what you just learned. Play around, experiment and see if you can do something new with it. You will learn a lot in this way and your memory will be better. Once you feel like you can apply a concept in your sleep, continue to learn the next concept. This takes a little more time in the early stages, but it will soon make everything faster. On the other hand, if you rush to progress, you will eventually forget what you learned before and have to go back to every little thing. This ends up taking more time and can be disheartening. In fact, this is a common reason people say they give up learning JavaScript.

Error 4: Not breaking the concept into small enough parts

Learning is like climbing a staircase: If you can take a small step, you can continue to take more steps until you reach your goal. When something is difficult to understand, it is usually because you try to reach the top one step, rather than learning step by step. Of course, this seems impossible! In practice, I have seen this situation where people have trouble understanding a piece of code. I'll ask them to explain this code and they get stuck when they try to explain the entire code at once. I will ask them to explain again, but this time they will explain line by line, and then they will understand. If something looks confusing, it is often skipped, so it helps to focus on smaller and smaller parts until you find a place that gets stuck. If a concept is still unintelligible after decomposing the concept, it will be easier to find help because it is easier to find a specific topic than to find a fuzzy topic.

Learning JavaScript: 9 Common Mistakes That Are Holding You Back

Error 5: Trying complex projects too early

People who are just starting to learn JavaScript often say, "I'll just write a simple social network", but they don't realize the complexity involved. When projects proved difficult to complete, they gave up on JavaScript altogether. I've written about projects in detail, but the point is that it's usually easier to master some basic concepts first. This way, when you start working on a project, there will be some building blocks in your toolbox. To be clear, I'm not saying over-avoiding projects for a long time. I just found that if I did some basic things first, like showing some text in the browser or responding to button clicks, it would be easier to start the project.

Error 6: Not practicing in real environment

When learning JavaScript, you may practice in an environment that does not match the real situation. For example, you might type code into the website's built-in code editor, or you might rely on files pasted in the tutorial. These methods may be good for learning, but they are also important to try to do it yourself. This means using your own text editor and writing concepts from scratch. If you don't spend time practicing each concept yourself, you'll rely on the auxiliary wheel. Then you get stuck in a situation where you have spent all your time studying, but you can’t seem to apply anything you’ve learned on your own.

Error 7: Compare yourself with more advanced developers

One of the most disheartening ways is to compare yourself to more advanced people. It's because you're focusing on their level, not how they reach that level. For example, after reading my tutorial, people will ask me how to write such clean code. They say they can't write such clean code, so maybe they are not suitable for learning JavaScript. The truth is, my process is very confusing. I conducted experiments, made mistakes, looked up materials, wrote ugly code, and finally improved everything into a presentable tutorial. People saw the polished version and thought the whole process was like this. I also had this assumption about the tutorial author before I started writing my own tutorial. The point is, focus on what you are learning right now and you will do better in that. Repeat this process and you will soon reach the point where others want to know how you can do that.

Error 8: Only study but not practice

It's easy to spend a lot of time watching videos and reading tutorials, but you won't really learn unless you actually write the code. The danger of learning information without taking action is that you feel like you are learning. Then six months later, you will find yourself unable to apply anything you have learned. Fifteen minutes to actually write code are usually more beneficial than learning an hour of information.

Error 9: Blindly follow the tutorial without asking for a deep understanding

It is easy to copy the steps in a linear way when reading the tutorial. This approach does not teach you the process of solving problems, which usually involves experimenting and taking small steps in different directions. Therefore, people who follow the tutorials in a linear way often cannot apply this knowledge later. So what is the solution? Instead of copying each step, take the time to experiment. For example, if you are working on a slide tutorial, try showing and hiding the div, then try timing, and then try another small part. Through experiments, you will learn more than through linear methods, and you will be able to use it better.

Key Points

If I want you to remember from this post, it is that you will make the most progress by taking the smallest steps. No matter what you learn, you must master the basics. Experiment with what you learn and have fun. Sometimes it can be difficult, but it's good. Challenges mean you are expanding your abilities and this will make you progress. If everything is always too easy, it may mean you need to change something. I hope this article is helpful to you, if there is anything to help you learn JavaScript, please feel free to share it in the comments!

FAQs about common JavaScript errors

What common mistakes do beginners make when learning JavaScript?

Beginners often make some common mistakes when learning JavaScript. The difference between "==" and "===" is a common mistake. The former is used for comparison, while the latter checks for values ​​and types. Another common mistake is misunderstanding the scope of variables. In JavaScript, variables can have global scopes or local scopes, and it is crucial to understand the difference between them. Finally, beginners often forget to use semicolons (;) at the end of a statement. While JavaScript does have automatic semicolon insertion (ASI), relying on it can lead to unexpected results.

Why is it important to understand the difference between "==" and "===" in JavaScript?

In JavaScript, "==" and "===" are comparison operators, but they work slightly differently. The "==" operator compares whether the values ​​are equal, and if necessary, it performs type casting. This means it converts operands to the same type before making a comparison. On the other hand, "===" is a strict equality operator that compares values ​​and types. Understanding the difference between these two operators is essential to avoid unexpected results in your code.

How to avoid common JavaScript errors?

Avoiding common JavaScript errors usually boil down to understanding the features and functions of the language. For example, always use "===" instead of "==" to avoid unexpected type casting. Pay attention to variable scopes and use local scopes where possible to avoid unexpected side effects. Also, always use semicolons at the end of the statement to avoid automatic semicolon insertion that relies on JavaScript.

What is variable scope and why is it important in JavaScript?

Variable scope in JavaScript refers to the context in which a variable exists and can be accessed. There are two types of scope: global scope and local scope. Global variables can be accessed anywhere in the code, while local variables can only be accessed within the functions it declares. Understanding variable scope is important because it helps prevent variables from being accessed or modified in unexpected ways.

Why should I use a semicolon at the end of a JavaScript statement?

The semicolon in JavaScript is used to separate statements, making the end of one statement and the beginning of another clear. While JavaScript does have automatic semicolon insertion (ASI), it is not always reliable. If the ASI inserts a semicolon in the wrong position, it may result in unexpected results. Therefore, it is best to always use a semicolon at the end of the statement.

What is type cast in JavaScript and how does it cause an error?

Type cast in JavaScript is to automatically convert values ​​from one type to another. For example, JavaScript might convert strings to numbers and vice versa. This can lead to errors as it can produce unexpected results. For example, the "==" operator performs type casting, so "5"== 5 will return true, even if one is a string and the other is a number.

How to debug JavaScript errors?

A variety of tools and techniques can be used to debug JavaScript errors. Most modern browsers have developer tools built in, including a JavaScript console that displays errors and allows you to interact with your code. You can also use the "console.log()" statement in your code to output values ​​and track where the error occurred. Additionally, using a code inspector can help you catch errors before running your code.

What is a code inspector and how does it help me avoid JavaScript errors?

Code Checker is a tool for analyzing potential errors and style issues in your code. It can help you spot common errors such as forgetting to use a semicolon at the end of a statement or using an undeclared variable. Using a code inspector can help you write clearer and more reliable code and avoid common JavaScript errors.

What are some good resources for learning JavaScript?

There are many great resources to learn JavaScript. Websites such as Codecademy, W3Schools and Learn JavaScript provide interactive tutorials and exercises. Books like “Eloquent JavaScript” and “You Don’t Know JS” provide in-depth explanations and examples. In addition, there are many online communities like Stack Overflow and JavaScript subreddit where you can ask questions and learn from others.

How to practice and improve my JavaScript skills?

The best way to improve JavaScript skills is to practice. Try building small projects or solving coding problems on sites like CodeSignal or LeetCode. Reading and understanding other people's code can also be very helpful. In addition, consider contributing to open source projects. This can provide you with real-world experience and help you learn best practices.

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