If you want to do web development, learn JavaScript.

One day I was asked what language I should learn in order to quickly increase my advantage in web development work. My mind went back to college, when I was working with Pascal, Fortran, C, and assembly language, but with different goals.

Given the current situation and trends, the answer is relatively easy to give: learn JavaScript. Look around, once low-end browser scripting languages ​​are now ubiquitous, from server to client, and there seem to be more choices every day.

　　Coming from a humble background

　 I remember getting involved in web development a few years ago, learning HTML and developing CGI scripts with Perl. Netscape introduced a scripting language called LiveScript in version 2.0 of its browser, and the name was changed to JavaScript shortly thereafter. It was a cool language, but in the midst of the browser wars, JavaScript was restricted to Netscape's browser about a year later as Microsoft added support. Its early use was limited to simple tasks such as field validation, but it is a very good alternative to server-side scripts. JavaScript gradually became a standard under the name ECMAScript.

Over the years, JavaScript has become a cool language for its use in browser interaction, but with the sudden explosion of Ajax, which allows developers to send and receive data from a web server without refreshing the web page, it has won even more recognition. The next wave should be called the jQuery revolution because it and other frameworks provide ease-of-use features for developing powerful web applications. Even Microsoft has joined in with the WinJS framework; also, the Redmond giant has chosen JavaScript as the platform for developing Windows 8 applications.

When Google added the high-performance JavaScript V8 engine to the Chrome browser, JavaScript took a big leap forward. This development is helpful for the development of a new paradigm of JavaScript on the server side Node.js. The use of Node.js has been astounding, with the creation of numerous JavaScript frameworks used to develop everything from websites to full-featured applications. The last item is data, and the JSON standard is already starting to become one of the most popular ways to transmit data, with most major data stores supporting it.

The momentum continues

There are a lot of new technologies that have been created over the years (the evolution of websites provides a great technology timeline), but one important aspect of JavaScript is that it has been around for about two century. Today it is firmly established as a feature-rich language.

　This is a far cry from the situation at the beginning, when JavaScript was never proudly written on the resume, because real programmers did not bother to master it. Now, JavaScript is the focus of most recruiters’ assessments.

　When you are looking for a job in web development, I think JavaScript is a great language to start with, and here are the big reasons why:

Low barrier to entry: JavaScript is relatively easy to learn compared to other languages, and you can find a lot of it online Ready-made scripts and resources. Additionally, JavaScript can be created with any text editor or a variety of free tools, including Atom, ChromeDev Editor, and jsFiddle.

Cross-platform: All browsers, as well as servers based on Node.js, support JavaScript and run normally on most mobile platforms. A set of JavaScript skills can be used to develop applications for most platforms. (Note: JavaScript is not a universal tool. For example, resource-intensive applications like data analysis are better off using another language.)

Pre-existing technology: Server-side JavaScript may be a relatively new concept, but core JavaScript The language has been around for many years, and over time it has matured and become widely accepted as a general-purpose web scripting language.

Springboard: JavaScript works well with other platforms, so when you ever venture into other environments such as Ruby on Rails, ASP.NET, PHP, etc., your JavaScript skills will be necessary. You still need to learn HTML and some CSS to develop robust web applications via JavaScript.

Hot Technology: The language was established, but the industry itself found the language with JavaScript knowledge and skills. Take a look at job postings and you'll see the trends.

　Not your buddy’s JavaScript

　 I’ve heard JavaScript described in the past as easy to learn, but hard to master. This may be true for many languages, but the JavaScript saturation of the web means that novice developers can quickly copy proven code from other websites, make the necessary modifications, and use it without fully understanding the code.

　 JavaScript is the backbone of the web these days, so those who want to become web developers should focus on it as the first language they learn.

　Do you agree? If you disagree, what do you think is the first language a developer looking for a web development job should learn? Tell us in the comments.

Translator’s Note:

"Why I Don't Recommend JavsScript as the First Choice Programming Language" provides the opposite view.

"Why JavaScript is the next (or first) programming language you should learn"

　English original text: Learn JavaScript if you want to land a web development job Translation: labazhou